Britain’s most successful speedway rider Tai Woffinden has been airlifted to hospital after a horror speedway crash.
Woffinden was involved in a three-man pile-up during a race in Poland on Sunday.
Woffinden had been racing for his club Rzeszow ahead of a return to the UK this week.
The 34-year-old was set to appear for Sheffield in their first meeting of the season at Birmingham on Thursday.
In a statement, Sheffield said: “Sheffield Speedway are aware of a racing crash involving Tai Woffinden in Poland this afternoon.
“Out of respect for Tai and his family, we politely ask supporters not to respond to, or share, any rumours.
“We will provide supporters with an official update when it is appropriate to do so.”
Meanwhile, Rzeszow president Michal Drymaljo said in a statement: “Dear fans, our player, Tai Woffinden, suffered a very serious accident during the seventh heat of a friendly match in Krosno.
“Tai was transported by helicopter to Rzeszow, where his condition is currently being diagnosed by doctors.
“Initial information suggests multiple fractures. We will provide more details after tests.
“At the same time, we would like to thank [Cellfast Wilkow Krosno] President Grzegorz Lesniak for his quick reaction in connection with our player’s accident and for providing him with all the assistance he needed.
“TAI, WE ARE WITH YOU!”
Woffinden is the most successful rider in British speedway history having been world champion in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
He has been signed to Sheffield since 2024 after previous stints riding for Scunthorpe, Rye House, Poole and Wolverhampton in the UK.
The Scunthorpe-born star has only recently returned from a lengthy injury absence.
Woffinden’s 2024 season was ended prematurely due to a serious elbow injury, which he also suffered in Poland.
However, he recently explained that injuries are part of the sport.
Woffinden is the most successful rider in British speedway history having been world champion in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
He has been signed to Sheffield since 2024 after previous stints riding for Scunthorpe, Rye House, Poole and Wolverhampton in the UK.
The Scunthorpe-born star has only recently returned from a lengthy injury absence.
Woffinden’s 2024 season was ended prematurely due to a serious elbow injury, which he also suffered in Poland.
However, he recently explained that injuries are part of the sport.
Speaking last week, he told The Sun: “I’m racing a motorbike with no brakes.
“I’m not in a car with a roll cage. It comes with the sport. It’s what we do, it’s dangerous.
“If you worry about getting injured when you race, you might as well quit. I love what I do, I enjoy it.
“I’ve had a lot of injuries but I’ve got a lot to achieve still. I want to win the British Championship and do the Grand Prix qualifiers and get back into the Grand Prix series.”
As well as his three world titles, Woffinden has twice been a runner-up a World Championship runner-up.
He was also crowned British champion three years in a row between 2013 and 2015.
Woffinden launched his career with hometown team Scunthorpe in 2006 aged just 16.
