Former Speedway GP star Matej Zagar has his sights set on an FIM Speedway Grand Prix comeback for 2026 as he enters the 2025 SGP qualifying rounds on a Croatian licence.
The Slovenian star last competed full time in the Speedway GP series in 2021, having won the 2019 and 2020 FIM SGP Challenges, which were both staged at Croatian venue Donji Kraljevec.
The five-time SGP winner has since appeared in the last three FIM Speedway GPs of Croatia, racing as the event wild card and bringing a large contingent of Slovenian fans across the border with him.
A statement released by the Croatian federation (HMS), which does not currently have any professional speedway riders, confirmed they will enter Zagar into the Speedway GP qualifiers.
The Ljubljana-born racer will also train at the Speedway Stadion Milenium in Donji Kraljevec, as he prepares to return to Britain’s Rowe Motor Oil Premiership with Birmingham in 2025, as well as competing for Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga team Tarnow in Poland.
Zagar has not represented Slovenia in the FIM Speedway of Nations since 2019 following a dispute with his native federation.
He is delighted to have received a call-up from Croatia to take on an HMS licence and take their place in the Speedway GP qualifiers.
In an HMS statement, the 41-year-old said:
"I've been riding for the Slovenian federation (AMZS) since I started in 2000. This journey had to end in 2025 because I faced limitations set by some speedway delegates in Slovenia.
“Thanks to great and true friends from Croatia (the Pavlic family), I can continue my career in the way I would want. See you soon, dear fans!”
Courtesy of FIMSPEEDWAY.COM