Former Workington Comets rider Celina Liebmann was beaten in the final of the FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy in Croatia.
The reigning champion finished runner-up to fellow German, Hannah Grunwald in the world’s biggest all-female speedway event in Donji Kraljevec yesterday.
The final was the culmination of a special two-day Academy which saw riders hone their skills with expert coaching from four-time Speedway GP world champion Greg Hancock and British former FIM Long Track team world champion Glen Phillips on Thursday and Friday.
The result was a hugely competitive event, which saw Grunwald and her fellow German star Liebmann both qualify for the final unbeaten with 12 points from four rides.
While former SGP2 star Liebmann was hotly tipped for victory, 17-year-old Grunwald made a sublime start to take an unforgettable win, with Liebmann producing a fine ride to pass compatriot Jenny Apfelbeck for second as Germany claimed all three spots on the podium. Danish rider Louise Funch Larsen finished fourth.
Reflecting on her triumph in Croatia, Grunwald said: “It was a great day, and I am so happy. The two days of the academy and the Gold Trophy were great fun. I really, really learned a lot. They were two hard days. But it was a great academy, and I met a lot of great people.”
Grunwald was delighted to lead an all-German podium. She said: “We have a lot of good women in Germany. Celina is very good, and I am as well. I’m so happy with this win.”
Liebmann, who spent the first half of last season with Workington, has been battling with a hip injury in recent months, only making her track return this week. She was pleased to race her way to the silver medal – adding to her historic victory at the inaugural Gold Trophy in Teterow, Germany last season.
She said: “I am still vice world champion. Of course, I wanted to defend my title, but I also didn’t want to put myself in the position where I said, ‘I will win.’ I am injured and I didn’t race for two and a half months. Hannah did, and she did really well.
“I have had a really bad cold for a few days, so for me, this is still a good result. You can’t always be first. This year it is second place, and next year, it’s a new chance and a new race.”
There is no doubt that the standard of the sport’s female stars has again increased significantly since the 2024 competition in Teterow, and Liebmann would love to see the Gold Trophy upgraded to full world-championship status.
She said: “I think we are getting closer. I think everyone sees now that the girls are really fast. It’s not just one or two girls who are fast; there are a few girls who are really fast. They have learned and continued to learn and get better. I think there is a good chance for it to be a World Championship next year. We have the numbers.”
