BELLE VUE’S Brady Kurtz missed out on World Championship title glory by just ONE POINT in Denmark on Saturday night.
The ATPI Aces No.1 won a record-breaking fifth successive Grand Prix in Vojens but nearest rival Bartosz Zmarzlik finished second to pip him to the trophy by 183 to 182 points.
Fellow Belle Vue star Dan Bewley finished fourth on the night and secured his first World Championship medal with bronze behind team-mate and buddy Kurtz and Zmarzlik.
Kurtz said: “Obviously I wanted to win, there’s no question about that. After a season like this there’s nothing to be disappointed about.
“I didn’t look for two laps and then finally I did look and obviously I was disappointed.
“I thought when I won in Gorzow I thought I’d have to win all the rounds to take the title. To think I did that is absolutely mad.
“It’s been an incredible year. My team has been unbelievable. I’ve got so much family here tonight. To win five in a row is absolutely ridiculous.
“What can I say, I still can’t beat Bartek. I don’t know what I have to do to beat him. I respect him, I admire him. I’ll stand alongside him on the podium any day. It’s an honour just to do battle with probably the greatest of all-time.
“Congratulations so much to him, he definitely deserved it. It will also be nice to stand next to my mate Dan on the podium.
“I’m really looking forward to next year. I had so much fun this year. It’s been a dream my whole life to be a GP rider, to finally be here was something special.”
Brilliant Zmarzlik joins an elite club of just Ivan Mauger and Tony Rickardsson by winning six world titles crowns.
Kurtz delivered one of the best-ever debut seasons by taking silver.
Bewley has now backed up two golds for Great Britain in the Speedway of Nations with individual bronze.
He said: “I’m happy to get that medal, I had some fun out there.
“A big thanks to my team for helping me get this far and it’s good to get on the podium. It was a good fight with Freddie and congrats to him.
“Also well done to the top two Bartosz and Brady, it’s been a good battle.
“It’s been a solid season. I’m looking forward to having some fun in the winter.”
Images by Taylor Lanning.