On June 22, 2014, Polish media outlets reported a tragic accident during a third-round league match in the Netherlands. Speedway rider Grzegorz Knapp, competing for Lelystad Windmills, suffered fatal injuries. Rescue workers fought for nearly 30 minutes to save his life, but doctors were unable to revive him.
To miał być tylko trening
The incident occurred during the fifth heat of the race. Max Dilger attempted to pass Knapp, resulting in contact between the two motorcycles. Knapp lost control and crashed into the wooden safety barrier.
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“Just before the fence, his machine briefly regained control, throwing him from the bike into the air,” recounted Polish fan Łukasz Zakrzewicz, who witnessed the crash. “Unfortunately, he impacted the barrier with tremendous force. A loud crash echoed around the stadium, and then everyone fell silent. Grzegorz Knapp lay motionless on the track.”
The race was intended to be Knapp’s first competitive outing in traditional speedway in 2014, serving as a training exercise as he primarily focused on ice speedway. The event ultimately proved to be his last.
Knapp was a pioneer for Polish ice speedway, becoming a symbol of the sport’s growing popularity in the country. He was the first Polish rider to consistently compete with the world’s best, particularly the dominant Russian racers. In 2011, he achieved a 14th-place finish at the Individual World Championship, a significant accomplishment.
Solid Ligowiec
Born on March 18, 1979, Grzegorz Knapp began his speedway career in Grudziądz, earning his license with GKM Grudziądz in 1997. He made his league debut that same season against Stal II ŻKS Krosno, scoring three points and a bonus in two heats.
While he never achieved major individual success in traditional speedway, Knapp was a dependable league rider, spending much of his career on the second tier. His average of nearly two points per race between 2004 and 2006 demonstrates his consistency.
“We were born in the same year, so as a junior, we often competed against each other on the track, whether in the Bronze or Silver Helmet competitions, the Polish Junior Championship, or the Junior Team Development Program,” recalled Krzysztof Cegielski. “I always remembered Grzesiek as someone with a huge desire to win and a fighting spirit on the track. He was always remarkably active, even if he sometimes lacked skill, his fighting spirit took him really far. He was always a threat on the track. I remember him as an attacking rider from every position. Even when there wasn’t much space, he could find a gap. He wasn’t a rider who rode dangerously. I don’t remember any accidents caused by him.”
Grzegorz Knapp raced for teams in Grudziądz, Lublin, Krosno, Gdańsk, and Rawicz during his Polish league career. His last appearance in a Polish competition was on September 25, 2011, representing KSM Krosno in an away match against Kolejarz Opole, which they lost 25-65. He scored seven points in five heats.
Had he lived, Grzegorz Knapp would have celebrated his 47th birthday on Wednesday, March 18.
