Tai Woffinden entered 2015 with one goal and one goal only – to reclaim his Speedway world title. And from the minute he hit the front he never looked like ending the season anywhere other than the top step.
Tai was supremely consistent all year to win his second title, battling back from an up-and-down 2014 season to show the world that his dream of seven world titles might not be as far-fetched as they think.
He’s back in 2016 for what is shaping up to be an awesome season, with some young blood injected into what was already an incredible field packed with class, experience and speed.
The Challenge
Tai’s challenge is to become the first man in eight years to retain the title. Not since Nicki Pedersen won consecutive championships in 2007 & 2008 has the same man topped the box two years in a row and that’s what Tai is aiming to do.
He knows, though, that it won’t be easy: “Someone once told me that the hardest thing to do is retain the title so I know how hard it’s going to be.
“When I won my first one, the next year I probably got a little bit complacent and didn’t work as hard as I should’ve done but I won’t make that mistake again. I’ve got 14 guys all trying to beat me so I’ve got to be on the top of my game.
“I want to make history and win as many world titles as possible so I’m not satisfied with two. It’s a new season and everyone is equal again, you don’t get extra points for being world champion. I’ve had a good winter but now it’s back to business and I can’t wait.”
The competition
Greg Hancock was the man chasing Tai in 2015 and he’s back again hunting down title number four, as is pantomime villain Nicki Pedersen. The Danish star is one of the most controversial racers in history but you can never rule him out, he has a ruthless will to win and even at the age of 39, is more than capable of winning Grand Prix’.
Niels-Kristian Iversen is a classy performer and one of the most consistent guys on the tour, and now he’s back to full fitness he could well be a threat to Tai’s crown. 2012 world champ and Monster Energy man Chris Holder shouldn’t be ruled out either, he’s back with a renewed energy and looks every bit as sharp as he did when he shocked the world to win his title four years ago.
Young Polish chargers Maciej Janwoski, Piotr Pawlicki and Bartosz Zmarzlik are sure to shake the series up too. Janowski had an awesome debut year in 2015 and Zmarzlik and Pawlicki have shown that they can mix it with the very best – don’t be surprised to see these guys challenging for medals throughout the season.
The venues
The SGP tour continues to get bigger and better and 2016 is no different. Opening up in the picturesque Slovenian town of Krsko, where the mountains literally overlook the track, and finishing in Melbourne’s awesome Etihad Stadium – it’s gunna be a huge year.
A round at Poland’s national stadium, in Warsaw, returns in May, while Prague’s Marketa Stadium and Sweden’s G&B Arena are traditional favourites and remain on the calendar.
Gorzow and Torun, both Poland, are standout events and always produce awesome racing, while the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden is one of the world’s best stadia and is never short on controversy.
The showpiece event of the series is the British Grand Prix in Cardiff, Wales where 45,000 fans pack into the Principality Stadium and create a breathtaking atmosphere – it’s one not to miss!
The only new round this year is in Teterow, Germany – the first German round since 2007 – and will be a fascination addition to the calendar.
The video
We spent some time with Woffinden to get behind the helmet and find out more about his journey and to find out what got him to the top. Check out this exclusive edit ahead of the start of the season, just days away, and get to know the Champ.