Echuca rider Nate Smith received guidance from six-time speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson at the FIM SGP Academy. Photos: Supplied.
Echuca speedway motorcyclist Nate Smith has continued to add to an impressive fledgling resume, selected as part of an elite group of riders to complete the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme Speedway Grand Prix Academy.
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The first FIM SGP academy of 2025 was held in Adelaide at the Gillman Speedway from January 22 to 24, just 23 of the best young riders from Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain taking part.
The academy focused not just on the athletes’ riding skills but on all aspects of becoming a professional rider.
“They were doing some of everything from social media to nutrition to fitness to bike setup to how to speak in media interviews,” Nate’s father Kade Smith said.
“Just everything you do when you're in the limelight pretty much.”
Some of the sports’ best were on hand to guide the young riders, including six-time FIM Speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson.
Nate Smith was one of 23 riders selected for the academy, which sought to prepare participants for a professional career.
The assembled experts were impressed with Nate’s performance at the academy, keen to talk next steps after the program.
“They came and saw us after the thing had finished and had a chat about (going to Europe),” Kade said.
“Obviously, he's too young to go now but (possibly) in 12 months’ time.”
Only three FIM SGP academies are scheduled for 2025, the other two to be held in Malilla, Sweden and Torun, Poland.
Straight after the academy, the Oceania world championships were held on January 25, Smith finishing second in the under-16 250cc solo support class, level on points with the eventual winner.
Nate quickly followed up with a strong performance at the Mildura Solo Masters the following night.
He won three of his races and was leading in the other two but was unfortunately waylaid by mechanical issues on both occasions, recording DNFs.
Nate has been on a meteoric rise since taking up the sport just over a year ago, winning the South Australian under-16 250cc championship in November.
As he moves into the off-season, Nate won’t be letting up at practice as he looks to make the push towards a European contract.
Although he can’t race on a 500cc bike until he turns 16, Nate is just a week away from the 14 years and nine months required to practice on the more powerful bike.
Regular trainings will then continue until the new season begins in August.
In the interest of developing his professional career, Nate has set up a Facebook page www.facebook.com/natesmithracing22/ for the public to follow his riding journey, and an email address hello@natesmithracing.com.auas he looks for further sponsorship opportunities heading into the 2025-26 season.