WOFFY OUT OF FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS FINAL

Triple world champion Tai Woffinden has been forced out of tonight’s FIM Speedway of Nations Final in Vojens after suffering a back injury on Friday.

The injury occurred on Friday during a training exercise with five other riders, who are all due to race in tonight’s final.

Woffinden was set to line up for the Lions at No.1, but was taken to hospital for tests this morning. He was assessed by experts at Kolding Sygehus Medical Centre in Kolding, where he also underwent x-rays and examinations.

With no replacement for tonight’s meeting available, No.3 reserve rider Dan Bewley will replace him and partner Robert Lambert in every heat.

The pair joined forces in the 2021 FIM SON Final when Woffinden crashed out at the end of Day 1 in Manchester. Lambert and Bewley fired GB to third place in the standings before winning the Grand Final Qualifier and Grand Final to end the Lions’ 32-year wait for a world team title.

In a statement released by the Great Britain Speedway Team, they confirmed Woffinden’s team and bikes will be on hand and available for Lambert and Bewley as they bid to pull off a remarkable second straight gold medal in the absence of Britain’s most successful speedway rider.

GB’s statement read: “Our riders’ health and safety is always our priority and due to the nature of Tai’s injury and subsequent effects on his movement, a joint decision has been made to withdraw from racing this evening.

“Tai has ensured that his machinery and mechanics will be in the GB pits this evening to assist if needed.

“Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley, who clinched FIM Speedway of Nations gold medal for GB last October in Manchester, will now spearhead the bid to defend that title.

“Great Britain team boss Olly Allen said: ‘This is naturally a massive blow. Firstly we hope that Tai can recover full fitness as soon as possible. However, Robert and Dan have a job to do and we know they can deliver to help us win the FIM Speedway of Nations.’”