Leigh Adams Interview

[IainB]

Watch/Listen to this:

 

[Waspman]

Thanks for posting this good video

[The White Knight]

Terrific watch. Very moving. Most inspiring.

Thanks for posting IainB.

[ch958]

  On 3/12/2025 at 6:48 PM, The White Knight said:

Terrific watch. Very moving. Most inspiring.

Thanks for posting IainB.

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I would argue he was the best rider never to be World Champ, along with maybe Jessup

[IainB]

  On 3/12/2025 at 7:39 PM, ch958 said:

I would argue he was the best rider never to be World Champ, along with maybe Jessup

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Add in Emil and TK... it's a long standing debate. 

You could argue (and I am) that Leigh Adams was a better ambassador for Speedway than the current 5 x World Champion!

[The White Knight]

  On 3/12/2025 at 7:59 PM, IainB said:

Add in Emil and TK... it's a long standing debate. 

You could argue (and I am) that Leigh Adams was a better ambassador for Speedway than the current 5 x World Champion!

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I wouldn't argue with that. Bartosz Zmarzlik is a great rider, but crucially, does little to help Speedway outside of Poland. Publicity, Marketing etc.

[GiveusaB]

  On 3/12/2025 at 7:39 PM, ch958 said:

I would argue he was the best rider never to be World Champ, along with maybe Jessup

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That would be an interesting topic! I'll add Kenny Carter to that list!

Loved watching Leigh Adams!

[GiveusaB]

  On 3/12/2025 at 9:53 PM, The White Knight said:

I wouldn't argue with that. Bartosz Zmarzlik is a great rider, but crucially, does little to help Speedway outside of Poland. Publicity, Marketing etc.

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Probably why he's so good ! just focusses on what he does best and doesn't get involved with outside influences/distractions....rightly/wrongly....

I have no opinion/judgement on that.

 

[IainB]

  21 hours ago, GiveusaB said:

Probably why he's so good ! just focusses on what he does best and doesn't get involved with outside influences/distractions....rightly/wrongly....

I have no opinion/judgement on that.

 

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Nobody is doubting his ability on a Speedway bike... it's just as a 5 x World Champion he must be one of the worst ambassador's for Speedway ever, generally won't leave Poland, doesn't have the greatest command of the English (world) language etc.

You have to wonder how many titles Adams could have won if he was in the same circumstances as Zmarzlik i.e. not having to do 100+ meetings a year to make it pay, no Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump & Nicki Pedersen at the top of their games, a high proportion of GP's run in his home country.

Edit:

Having said that if you look at Adams GP record it's not exactly littered with medals, a single Silver (2007) and one Bronze (2005)... it took him 6 years and 42 GP's until he finally won a GP. During his peak years 2000-2008 (?) he was headed by Tony Rickardsson, Nicki Pedersen, Jason Crump, Greg Hancock, Andreas Jonsson, Tomasz Gollob, Hans Andersen, Marl Loram, Billy Hamill & Ryan Sullivan... a mere 19 World Championships between them!!

Pick the bones out of that!

Edited 19 hours ago by IainB

[Hodgy]

  On 3/12/2025 at 9:53 PM, The White Knight said:

I wouldn't argue with that. Bartosz Zmarzlik is a great rider, but crucially, does little to help Speedway outside of Poland. Publicity, Marketing etc.

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Why should he? He doesn’t ride in the UK. He’s a super star in Poland. His country. What exactly would you like him to do?

[IainB]

  10 hours ago, Hodgy said:

Why should he? He doesn’t ride in the UK. He’s a super star in Poland. His country. What exactly would you like him to do?

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As the rider of his era I'd like to see him learn English and do more meetings outside of Poland to promote the sport internationally or there'll only be Speedway left in Poland. World Champions in the past have generally had a responsibility to promote the sport through their position. You don't have to commit to a league, just show up once in a while in various open meetings across the world. 

[The White Knight]

  10 hours ago, Hodgy said:

Why should he? He doesn’t ride in the UK. He’s a super star in Poland. His country. What exactly would you like him to do?

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To answer your question, read IainB's post above. He is spot on.

[Hodgy]

  10 hours ago, IainB said:

As the rider of his era I'd like to see him learn English and do more meetings outside of Poland to promote the sport internationally or there'll only be Speedway left in Poland. World Champions in the past have generally had a responsibility to promote the sport through their position. You don't have to commit to a league, just show up once in a while in various open meetings across the world. 

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That’s not his job or responsibility. He’s riding in the biggest, best paid league in the Speedway World. Why would he travel to other countries for peanuts. He owes nothing. We no longer have any entrepreneurs to entice him for any reason. It’s a promoters job to promote. His English is understandable. I’m sure he’s very happy what he’s doing. 

[Hodgy]

  9 hours ago, The White Knight said:

To answer your question, read IainB's post above. He is spot on.

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What was the last meeting you attended? 

[Hodgy]

  10 hours ago, IainB said:

As the rider of his era I'd like to see him learn English and do more meetings outside of Poland to promote the sport internationally or there'll only be Speedway left in Poland. World Champions in the past have generally had a responsibility to promote the sport through their position. You don't have to commit to a league, just show up once in a while in various open meetings across the world. 

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PS - great interview with Leigh by the way. What strong character.