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GREAT BRITAIN’S GOLD MEDAL HEROES RETURN FOR FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS FINAL IN MANCHESTER ON SATURDAY

11/07/2024

GREAT BRITAIN’S GOLD MEDAL HEROES RETURN FOR FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS FINAL IN MANCHESTER ON SATURDAYGREAT BRITAIN’S GOLD MEDAL HEROES RETURN FOR FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS FINAL IN MANCHESTER ON SATURDAY

Great Britain team managers Simon Stead and Oliver Allen believe their 2021 world-title heroes are even better three years on as Robert Lambert, Dan Bewley and Tom Brennan return to Manchester for the FIM Speedway of Nations Final on Saturday.

All seven countries have named their starting line-ups for the ultimate test of team riding, with GB taking on Sweden, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Australia and Latvia in the battle to become FIM Speedway world team champions for 2024.

The six Semi-Final qualifiers all name unchanged starting line-ups, apart from Poland, who draft in former world No.2 Patryk Dudek at No.3 in place of former Speedway GP star Maciej Janowski.

The Brits are seeded straight through to the Final as host nation and Stead and Allen keep faith with three of the riders who ended the country’s 32-year wait for a world team title with victory in the 2021 FIM SON Final at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium.

Captain Lambert is partnered by Belle Vue Aces hero Bewley on his home track in Manchester, with FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff wild card Brennan joining them as the reserve at No.3.

Since GB’s FIM SON win three years ago, Lambert and Bewley have become full-time members of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series, alongside triple Speedway GP world champion Tai Woffinden, who also starred in 2021, but misses this year’s Final due to injury – as he did on day two of the title decider after crashing out on day one three seasons ago.

Following their gold-medal win in Manchester, the Lions have won FIM SON silver at Danish track Vojens in 2022 and Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup silver in Polish city Wroclaw last year. While they fell just short of gold in both tournaments, Stead believes his side is a much stronger force than they were three years ago. 

He said: “The medals might not suggest we have made progress over the last two years – following up a gold with two silvers. But I believe we have been better over the last two years than when we actually won it.

“I think that bodes well for Saturday. We have taken strides in the right direction, and we are all excited about what’s to come on Saturday.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Tai, but we are in a fortunate position that we have two more GP riders and also Tom, who is really stepping up and performing at this level.

“I was always confident we would have our strongest two out on the day. The fact we have such a strong three is really fortunate for us. 

“We know what it’s all about. No longer is a bronze or silver good enough anymore. People expect us to perform, which we have done over the past few years. We will be gunning for gold.” 

Australia and GB battled it out in the 2022 Grand Final. PHOTO: Jarek PabijanAustralia and GB battled it out in the 2022 Grand Final. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

Allen is also delighted to have a strong GB squad at his disposal. He added: “Simon and I know we are lucky to be in charge of Great Britain when we have such a good pool of riders. The three Speedway GP riders over the last three to five years have been really, really good.

“We consider ourselves lucky to manage the team in this period. There were some more barren years before that.

“There have been years when the format has helped us. Three years ago, the SON with a three-man team suited us better than the World Cup, which is raced with a five-man team.

“But I actually think out best team performance was the World Cup in Wroclaw last year. Coming second and nearly winning in Poland with a five-man team was our best performance. That was the one that surprised people the most. I am really proud of that.

“Simon and I try and do the best we can in the limited time we have with the riders. But it’s really down to them and we are lucky we have such a great group.” 

World champion Bartosz Zmarzlik bids to win his first SON gold medal. PHOTO: Jarek PabijanWorld champion Bartosz Zmarzlik bids to win his first SON gold medal. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

Every FIM SON side names two starters at No.1 and No.2, as well as a reserve at No.3 who can be called into action by the team manager at any time.

The Brits are joined in Manchester on Saturday by Sweden, who stormed to victory in Semi-Final 1 at the National Speedway Stadium on Tuesday, with world No.2 Fredrik Lindgren and double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell leading their challenge again, and 2022 FIM SON top scorer Oliver Berntzon named in the No.3 reserve role.

Polish boss Rafal Dobrucki keeps faith with four-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik and his SGP rival Dominik Kubera as his starting pair, with Dudek stepping into the side at No.3.

Germany lines up with Speedway GP star Kai Huckenbeck and Belle Vue racer Norick Blodorn in their starting duo. Two-time FIM Long Track world champion Erik Riss joins them at No.3.


Aussie star Jack Holder celebrates gold at Vojens in 2022. PHOTO: Jarek PabijanAussie star Jack Holder celebrates gold at Vojens in 2022. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

Danish boss Nicki Pedersen sticks with triple European champion Mikkel Michelsen and two-time Danish champion Anders Thomsen, with Rasmus Jensen named at No.3 following their victory at Semi-Final 2 on Wednesday.

Australia finished second on Wednesday as they continue their bid to retain the FIM SON world title they won at Vojens in 2022. Their heroes from two years ago, Jack Holder and Max Fricke, start once again, with Belle Vue rider Brady Kurtz – their top scorer in Semi-Final 2 – also set to play a key role at No.3.

The Final line-up is completed by Latvia, with boss Vladimirs Ribnikovs selecting Speedway GP star Andzejs Lebedevs and Daniils Kolodinskis, who teamed up to see off Czech Republic in a dramatic Final Qualifier on Wednesday night, leading the country into only its second FIM Speedway world team final. Jevgenijs Kostigovs is named at No.3. 

Tickets for the FIM SON Final this Saturday – as well as FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 on Friday, are still available online. 

Secure your seats HERE now.

FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS FINAL STARTING LINE-UPS

SATURDAY, JULY 13

Team A - GERMANY

1. Kai Huckenbeck ©

2. Norick Blödorn

3. Erik Riss

Team manager: Mathias Bartz

 

Team B - DENMARK

1. Mikkel Michelsen ©

2. Anders Thomsen

3. Rasmus Jensen

Team manager: Nicki Pedersen

 

Team C – GREAT BRITAIN

1. Robert Lambert ©

2. Dan Bewley

3. Tom Brennan

Team managers: Simon Stead and Oliver Allen

 

Team D - AUSTRALIA

1. Jack Holder ©

2. Max Fricke

3. Brady Kurtz

Team manager: Mark Lemon

 

Team E - LATVIA

1. Andzejs Lebedevs ©

2. Daniils Kolodinskis

3. Jevgenijs Kostigovs

Team manager: Vladimir Ribnikovs

 

Team F - POLAND

1. Dominik Kubera

2. Bartosz Zmarzlik ©

3. Patryk Dudek

Team manager: Rafal Dobrucki

 

Team G - SWEDEN

1. Fredrik Lindgren ©

2. Jacob Thorssell

3. Oliver Berntzon

Team manager: Morgan Andersson