WORLD CUP NEWS: POLAND’S GP STARS IN TEAM FOR THE FINAL / BIG NAME RESERVES IN RACE OFF

Feature photo: World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik

POLAND’S GP STARS IN TEAM FOR WORLD CUP FINAL

Reigning champions Poland track all three of their Speedway GP stars as the hosts defend the iconic Ove Fundin Trophy in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup Final in Wroclaw on Saturday, July 29.

Captain and triple Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik leads the men in white and red into action alongside Wroclaw home hero Maciej Janowski, who bids to lift one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes on the Olympic Stadium track where he watched speedway’s legends as a kid.

Former world number two Patryk Dudek, fresh from finishing third at the Holmgrens Bil FIM Speedway GP of Sweden in Malilla, also lines up for his country, with four-time Polish champion Janusz Kolodziej and double Speedway GP finalist Dominik Kubera completing a star-studded line-up.

The Poles take on Semi-Final 1 victors Great Britain, Semi-Final 2 winners Denmark and the top nation from Friday’s Race Off between Sweden, Australia, Czech Republic and France.

While their starting order is not yet confirmed, Poland will wear blue helmets for the Final, with the Danes in red, GB in white and the Race Off winners taking yellow.

Dudek is a triple Monster Energy FIM SWC winner, grabbing gold medals in 2013, 2016 and 2017. He relishes the chance to fight for another this Saturday.

He said: “We will fight for the gold medal with the whole team. Let us remember, however, that we will face strong opponents, whose goal is exactly the same as ours. Therefore, keep your fingers crossed for our team, and we will do everything to make the fans proud of us.”

Polish team manager Rafal Dobrucki can’t wait to manage his side in a home Final. He admits he was not short of options as Poland’s finest vied for a spot in his starting line-up as his country seeks its first world team title since they won the most recent Monster Energy FIM SWC staged in 2017.

He said: “The World Cup is prestigious, especially when we are racing in front of our own Polish audience. This is an amazing opportunity to go down in history, and it’s no wonder that many riders  reported their readiness and willingness to represent Poland.”

WORLD CUP: BIG NAME RESERVES IN RACE OFF

Friday’s Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup Race Off in Wroclaw will feature some famous fives as the starting line-ups are revealed.

Sweden, Australia, Czech Republic and France clash in the always-epic Race Off as the teams battle it out to claim one last place in Saturday’s Final alongside hosts Poland, Semi-Final 1 winner Great Britain and Semi-Final 2 victor Denmark.

All five nations track the same five riders that featured in their Semi-Final round – but all four team managers have shuffled their riding order, keeping an ace card up their sleeve.

Teams select four starters and one reserve at number five, who can be called into action at any time by the team manager – taking up to five rides, plus an additional tactical substitute outing if their side falls six or more points behind the leading nation.

Australia fell just a point short of Semi-Final 2 winners Denmark and name an unchanged team for the Race Off as they line up in the blue helmets.

Their starting quartet features Speedway GP trio Jack Holder, Jason Doyle and Max Fricke, with 2020 FIM Speedway Under-21 world champion Jaimon Lidsey joining them after powering to an heroic 16 points on his Monster Energy FIM SWC debut for the Roos.

The Aussies also have the option of calling 2012 Speedway GP world champion Chris Holder into action at any time after naming him at number five.

After being beaten to Final qualification by Great Britain at Semi-Final 1 on Tuesday, Swedish boss Morgan Andersson also names a big-hitter at number five – putting world number four Fredrik Lindgren in the standby role.

Fast Freddie is joined by a starting quartet, featuring double Swedish Champion Jacob Thorssell, former Speedway GP stars Antonio Lindback and Oliver Berntzon as the Swedes line up in white helmets.

Last year’s FIM GP Challenge winner Kim Nilsson moves into the starting four in place of Lindgren, who could have a busy night as Andersson prepares to throw him into action as and when it suits the Swedes.

Czech Republic took the option to put their strongest rider Vaclav Milik at number five in Tuesday’s Semi-Final 1. 

With the former Speedway GP finalist top-scoring on 11 points, boss Zdenek Schneiderwind keeps him at number five for the Race Off, with 2022 SGP2 silver medalist Jan Kvech, 2023 SGP2 star Petr Chlupac, Daniel Klima and Hynek Stichauer named in the starting quartet.

History-makers France complete the Race Off field in the red helmets, contesting the Monster Energy FIM SWC’s latter stages for the first time on their tournament debut after taking third place in Semi-Final 2 on Wednesday.

Boss Laurent Sambarrey has also moved one of his big guns to the number five position as Wednesday’s top scorer Dimitri Berge, who collected 14 points, takes on the roving role.

The starting quartet features skipper David Bellego, reigning FIM World Long Track champion Mathieu Tresarrieu and his nephew Mathias Tresarrieu, plus Steven Goret.

MONSTER ENERGY FIM SWC RACE OFF STARTING LINE-UPS:

FRANCE – RED

1. David Bellego (captain)

2. Steven Goret

3. Mathieu Tresarrieu

4. Mathias Tresarrieu

5. Dimitri Berge

Team Manager: Laurent Sambarrey

 AUSTRALIA – BLUE

1. Jack Holder

2. Jason Doyle (captain)

3. Max Fricke

4. Jaimon Lidsey

5. Chris Holder

Team Manager: Mark Lemon

 SWEDEN – WHITE

1. Oliver Berntzon

2. Jacob Thorssell

3. Antonio Lindback

4. Kim Nilsson

5. Fredrik Lindgren (captain)

Team Manager: Morgan Andersson

CZECH REPUBLIC – YELLOW

1. Hynek Stichauer

2. Jan Kvech

3. Petr Chlupac

4. Daniel Klima

5. Vaclav Milik (captain)

Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind