Dan Bewley has missed out on automatic qualification for next year’s Grand Prix series after a disappointing show in the final round in Poland.
Lying fifth overall before the meeting in Torun, the Maryport racer only earned seven points from his five rides finding form too late.
He had started with a third, last and third before a win and second place lifted him to seven points but outside the semi-final qualifiers.
Reigning world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik went on to win the meeting and retain his world title.
But although disappointed by his performance in the final GP of the season, Bewley will have been encouraged to hear the comments of former world champion and FIM global ambassador Tony Rickardsson.
He has been backed as a potential future Speedway Grand Prix world champion by Rickardsson who is a legend of the sport.
Former Workington Comet Bewley had caught the eye in his debut season as a full-time rider in 2022, achieving a top-six finish and winning back-to-back races in Cardiff and Gorzow respectively.
Ahead of the final round on Saturday the 24-year-old looked on course to earn qualification for next year’s championship by finishing in the top six once again.
Speaking to Eurosport ahead of the Torun finale Rickardsson said he believes Bewley could one day emulate current champion Bartosz Zmarzlik.
When asked which rider he was most impressed with this season Rickardsson said: Dan Bewley. I think he really has the potential, the right mindset.
“I would say he would be the one that could lift his game up to Zmarzlik standards. If it happens next year, I’m not sure but I think it will soon come.”
Certainly food for thought for the West Cumbrian during the winter months. Dropping one place in world rankings to seventh means he has to wait for the selections for next year’s line-up to be confirmed.
