The 2026 FIM Long Track World Championship will finally begin this Sunday, 23 August, at the Eichenring in Scheessel, northern Germany.
  • The delayed championship will now open in Scheessel
  • Britain’s Zach Wajtknecht begins the defence of his crown in Germany
  • The strong line-up includes three former FIM Long Track World Champions

The opening Final was originally due to take place in Marmande, France, last month. However, restrictions introduced during the heatwave across parts of Europe forced the organisers to postpone the event. The Marmande Final has now been moved to 26 September and will conclude the championship.

After the unexpected delay, the world’s leading Long Track riders are ready to begin the new season. Cooler weather is forecast for this weekend, so preparations for the Scheessel Final can continue as planned.

The riders will compete on the impressive one thousand metre Eichenring. It is almost twice as long as the other tracks on this season’s calendar, so engine power could play an important part in the result. Eight of last season’s top ten riders are on the starting list, and the championship will be decided over three Finals. Defending champion Zach Wajtknecht can therefore expect strong competition from the international field. The 28-year-old British rider knows that a good result in the opening round will be important.
One of his main rivals will be fellow British rider Chris Harris. Harris finished only four points behind Wajtknecht last season. He also won silver in 2023, when he led the championship before the deciding Final, and bronze in 2022. Now aged 43, he would love to complete his medal collection with gold. The line-up also includes two former world champions from Germany. Lukas Fienhage won the title in 2020 before adding silver in 2024 and bronze last season. Erik Riss is a two-time champion, having won the title in 2014 and 2016. Both riders will be hoping for a strong result in front of their home supporters.

Dutch rider Dave Meijerink will also be aiming for a place on the podium. He won the final round of last season and finished fourth overall, the best championship result of his career. The 26-year-old was also part of the Dutch team that won the 2023 FIM Long Track of Nations.

Britain’s Andrew Appleton has good memories of the Eichenring after finishing third there last season. Denmark’s Kenneth Kruse Hansen will also be looking to return to his best form after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Hansen won silver in 2020 and bronze in 2023, and he is still searching for the gold medal that would complete his collection.

The rest of the international field includes Mika Meijer from the Netherlands, Finland’s Tero Aarnio, France’s Jordan Dubernard and German rider Daniel Spiller. There are also several newcomers, including Glenn Moi, a multiple Norwegian Speedway champion.

With a strong field of experienced champions, leading international riders and talented newcomers, all the ingredients are in place for an exciting opening Final. The event will take place one day after round five of the FIM Flat Track World Championship at the Eichenring. Racing will begin when the tapes go up for the opening Heat at 13:30 local time.