After claiming his second Aussie championship nearly a decade after his first, Brady Kurtz says he believes he finally has the form to take the FIM Speedway Gran Prix crown
How does your second Australian title rate compared to your first?
“Hopefully winning my second Australian championship will lay a good foundation as I start my first full season as a Speedway Grand Prix rider. Winning the Australian championship for a second time came nine years after the first and they were very different situations.
“I was probably too young when I won the first one. I didn’t really know what I was doing. It just fell in my lap. But I definitely worked hard for this one. Probably this one feels a bit better. I feel like I earned this one.
How have the preparations gone for 2025?
“Soon after the Aussie title series finished, I headed overseas, leaving the warmth of Cowra behind. There’s about five weeks after the series finishes to prepare for the European season and I feel I can do a better job of that being in Europe now.
“I base myself at Warrington, not far from Manchester, near my British Premiership team Belle Vue. I’m 28 now and I think this is the perfect time to go into the SGP season full-time. The last year has been great with a silver medal in the Speedway of Nations, winning the FIM SGP Challenge Meeting to book my place in the SGP line-up for the first time, and leading Belle Vue to their second British Premiership league title in three years.
Why is this the year you can beat the world’s best?
“I’m in the best form I’ve ever been in. I think I’m in the best position I’ve been in with my team and my whole life in general. It’s definitely the time when I need to step in there and try and make my chance worth it.
“My first meeting of the UK season was the prestigious Peter Craven Memorial meeting at my home track, Belle Vue. There was a good chance that an Australian would win as there were five of us in the final and I managed to follow up last year’s win by leading home Chris Holder, Dan Bewley, Jason Doyle, Jaimon Lidsey and Max Fricke.
“I’ve worked hard in every aspect of not just speedway but my entire life, to try and put things back on track and be better at everything. I feel like it took a while, but it’s finally all paying off. Hopefully I can stick to my plan, keep working hard and it will keep going well for me.
Will the extra experience since your first Aussie title make you stronger?
“I had my challenges over the last few years, as all riders do, but I think I’ve entered the SGP at my best and at the right time when I’m really ready to compete with the top guys.
“I’m out to win every race I contest and there is no other reason for me to be in SGP other than to be world champion. I’ve done more than ever over the off season to give myself the best chance possible, so whatever happens, I will have done my best.”
