In the world of motorcycle long track racing, few achievements carry as much prestige as claiming the FIM World Championship. For British rider Zach Wajtknecht, 2025 marked the culmination of years of dedication, near-misses, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His journey to the world title represents not just personal triumph, but a testament to the evolution of a rider who transformed early promise into championship glory.
Early Promise: A Double World Champion in the Making
Wajtknecht's path to greatness began at an remarkably young age, establishing himself as one of the most promising talents in grasstrack and long track racing. His junior career was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the raw talent and determination that would later define his professional success.
At an early age, Wajtknecht became a double World Champion, twice triumphing in the FIM 125cc Grasstrack Youth Gold Trophy. These victories weren't just wins: they were statements of intent from a rider who possessed the skill and mental fortitude to compete at the highest level, even as a teenager.
The momentum continued to build as Wajtknecht progressed through the youth ranks. In 2013, he claimed the British 250cc Youth Championship, demonstrating his ability to dominate on home soil while adapting to more powerful machinery. This domestic success was followed by international recognition in 2014 when he captured the FIM 250cc Longtrack Youth World Cup, proving his talents translated seamlessly to the longer, more challenging long track format.
Professional Ascension: Building Toward Greatness
The transition from youth competition to professional racing often separates the truly exceptional from the merely talented. For Wajtknecht, this progression was marked by consistent improvement and increasingly significant achievements that positioned him as a championship contender.
His professional breakthrough came in 2018 when he claimed the British Grasstrack Championship. This victory established Wajtknecht as the premier grasstrack rider in Britain and demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure across a full championship campaign. The win also highlighted his versatility, as grasstrack racing demands different skills from long track, requiring riders to adapt their technique and setup across varied track conditions.
Building on this domestic success, Wajtknecht elevated his game to the continental level in 2019, capturing the European Grasstrack Championship. This achievement marked his emergence as a force on the international stage, proving he could compete with and defeat the best riders from across Europe. The European title also served as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal: world championship glory.
The World Championship Quest Begins
Wajtknecht's transition to serious world championship contention began in earnest during the early 2020s. The long track format, with its high-speed racing and demanding technical requirements, suited his riding style perfectly. His breakthrough on the world stage came in 2022 when he finished as runner-up in the World Long Track Championship, earning the silver medal in what was both a triumph and a learning experience.
The 2022 season demonstrated that Wajtknecht possessed the speed and consistency needed to challenge for world titles, but it also revealed areas where marginal gains could make the difference between second place and championship glory. This near-miss served as motivation rather than disappointment, fueling his determination to return stronger.
In 2024, Wajtknecht again found himself on the world championship podium, this time claiming the bronze medal. While another podium finish confirmed his status among the world's elite, the third-place result only intensified his hunger for the top step. The pattern was clear: Wajtknecht was consistently among the best riders in the world, but the ultimate prize remained tantalizingly out of reach.
2025: The Championship Campaign
The 2025 FIM Long Track World Championship began with Wajtknecht entering as one of the pre-race favourites, but the early rounds proved that nothing would come easily. The competition was fierce, with multiple riders capable of winning on any given day, and the points standings remained incredibly tight throughout the campaign.
By the time the championship reached its crucial stages, the title fight had intensified dramatically. Round 3 at Scheessel, Germany, in August proved to be both pivotal and controversial for Wajtknecht's championship hopes. A collision with defending champion Martin Smolinski in the Grand Final resulted in Wajtknecht's disqualification, a setback that could have derailed lesser riders.
However, this adversity demonstrated the mental strength that champions possess. Rather than allowing the disqualification to affect his confidence or approach, Wajtknecht maintained his focus on the ultimate prize. Despite the setback, he remained within striking distance of the championship lead, positioned perfectly for a final-round assault on the title.
Heading into the final rounds, the championship standings told the story of one of the closest title fights in recent memory. Lukas Fienhage held a slender two-point advantage over Wajtknecht, with Chris Harris lurking just two points further back. With such minimal gaps separating the contenders, the stage was set for a dramatic conclusion that would test every aspect of the riders' skills and mental fortitude.
The Roden Showdown: Championship Glory
The final round at Roden in the Netherlands on September 21, 2025, will be remembered as one of the most exciting championship deciders in long track history. With three contenders separated by just four points, the title could have gone to any of them, creating an atmosphere of intense pressure and expectation.
Wajtknecht approached the decisive round with the experience of his previous championship campaigns behind him. The lessons learned from finishing second in 2022 and third in 2024 proved invaluable, as he managed both his emotions and race craft perfectly when it mattered most.
When the dust settled at Roden, Wajtknecht had delivered the performance of his career when the stakes were highest. He captured the 2025 FIM Long Track World Championship with 72 points, edging out Chris Harris who finished with 68 points, while Lukas Fienhage completed the podium with 65 points.
The victory represented more than just a championship win: it validated years of progression, demonstrated the value of persistence in the face of setbacks, and marked Wajtknecht's ascension to the pinnacle of long track racing. For a rider who had come so close in previous years, the 2025 title felt like destiny fulfilled.
A Championship Among Champions
Wajtknecht's 2025 triumph places him among an elite group of recent world long track champions, each representing the pinnacle of their respective campaigns. The recent history of the championship showcases the international nature of long track racing's appeal and competitiveness.
Jannick de Jong from the Netherlands captured the title in 2025, while Mathieu Trésarrieu from France claimed championship glory in both 2017 and 2022, demonstrating the consistency required to win multiple titles. Romano Hummel, also from the Netherlands, secured his world championship in 2021, adding to the Dutch nation's strong representation in long track racing.
This international cast of champions highlights the global reach of long track racing and the diverse pool of talent competing at the highest level whilst wearing Dstar racewear. Wajtknecht's addition to this list as the 2025 champion represents not only personal achievement but also a proud moment for British motorsport.
The Perfect Culmination
Zach Wajtknecht's journey to the 2025 FIM Long Track World Championship represents the perfect example of how talent, combined with persistence and learning from setbacks, can ultimately lead to the highest achievements in motorsport. From his early days as a double youth world champion to his professional evolution through grasstrack and European success, every step contributed to his championship triumph.
The 2025 season will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion at Roden, where Wajtknecht finally claimed the prize that had eluded him in previous campaigns. His victory serves as inspiration for aspiring riders and demonstrates that in motorsport, persistence and continuous improvement can eventually overcome any obstacle.
For Wajtknecht, the 2025 world championship represents not just the achievement of a career-long goal, but the beginning of a new chapter as a world champion defending his title. His journey from promising junior to world champion is complete, but his legacy in long track racing is just beginning to be written.