OZ AND POLAND CLASH IN SoN SEMI – FINAL 1

Former Speedway GP world champions Bartosz Zmarzlik and Jason Doyle lead their countries into FIM Speedway of Nations action as the line-ups for Semi-Final 1 in Vojens on Wednesday, July 27 are confirmed.

Poland and Australia battle it out on the opening night of the FIM SON, which takes place over an epic four nights at Denmark’s national speedway stadium. They are joined by fellow 2021 finalists Latvia, Germany, USA, Finland and Ukraine in the first event of a new era for the FIM SON under new global promoter Discovery Sports Events.

Each nation selects two starters at No.1 and No.2, as well as a No.3 reserve rider, who can be called into action as a substitute by the team manager at any time throughout the event.

Poland’s double Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik captains the eight-time FIM Speedway World Cup winners as they bid to win their first-ever FIM SON gold medals after three straight second-place finishes.

Zmarzlik at No.1 teams up with 2021 FIM SON Final partner Maciej Janowski, with Speedway GP star Patryk Dudek lining up at No.3.

Number one Doyle captains an Australia side also featuring three Speedway GP riders. He partners No.2 Max Fricke, who continues his proud record of never missing an FIM SON event for the Roos since the competition launched in 2018. SGP newcomer Jack Holder is in line for his FIM SON debut at No.3.

The Latvians are without their injured former European champion Andzejs Lebedevs. Francis Gusts took second place in the first-ever SGP2 event in Prague on May 27 and he is named at No.1. Jevgenijs Kostigovs comes into the side as his partner at No.2, with Olegs Mihailovs named at No.3.

The German challenge is led by Kai Huckenbeck at No.1 as he bids to build on the huge 22-point haul he scored in the 2021 Semi-Finals in Daugavpils, Latvia. He joins forces with young gun Norick Blodorn at No.2 and No.3 Erik Riss – a two-time former FIM World Long Track champion.

Luke Becker has emerged as the USA’s leading light on the world stage, racing for Wolverhampton in the UK and Lodz in the Polish First Division. He captains the Americans at No.1, joining forces with Glasgow rider Broc Nicol at No.2. Dillon Ruml, who races for Oxford, is named at No.3.

Finland’s side is led by skipper Timo Lahti at No.1 and he joins forces with SGP2 shooting star Timi Salonen at No.2. Jesse Mustonen is named as Finland’s No.3.

Ukraine’s side is led by former FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship finalist Marko Levishyn, who lines up at No.1. He links up with captain Stanislav Melnychuk at No.2 and No.3 Vitalii Lysak, who served as track reserve at the Orlen FIM Warsaw Speedway GP.

The top two teams after 21 heats automatically join hosts Denmark in the FIM SON Final on Saturday, July 30, with the third and fourth-placed teams competing in the Final Qualifier for the last spot in Saturday’s Final.

Tickets for all four nights of the FIM SON at Vojens Speedway Center are still available online. Secure your spot at trackside – book here now: https://www.billetlugen.dk/eventseries/3187803/?affiliate=WW2

 FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS SEMI-FINAL 1 – STARTING LINE-UPS (IN DRAW ORDER):

 A – GERMANY: 1 Kai Huckenbeck ©, 2 Norick Blodorn, 3 Erik Riss. Team Manager: Herbert Rudolph.

 B – POLAND: 1 Bartosz Zmarzlik ©, 2 Maciej Janowski, 3 Patryk Dudek. Team Manager: Rafal Dobrucki.

 C – UNITED STATES: 1 Luke Becker ©, 2 Broc Nicol, 3 Dillon Ruml. Team Manager: Steve Evans.

 D – LATVIA: 1 Francis Gusts, 2 Jevgenijs Kostigovs ©, 3 Olegs Mihailovs. Team Manager: Vladimirs Ribnikovs.

 E – FINLAND: 1 Timo Lahti ©, 2 Timi Salonen, 3 Jesse Mustonen. Team Manager: Peter Jansson.

 F – AUSTRALIA: 1 Jason Doyle ©, 2 Max Fricke, 3 Jack Holder. Team Manager: Mark Lemon.

 G – UKRAINE: 1 Marko Levishyn, 2 Stanislav Melnychuk ©, 3 Vitalii Lysak. Team Manager: Vasyl Melnychuk.