Speedway World Cup 2023: Eight semi-finalists reveal starting line-ups
The starting line-ups have been revealed for the returning Speedway World Cup.
The competition has been off the Speedway calendar for six years.
Brought back for 2023 as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s new era of Speedway, nine teams are set to battle it out to determine the new world champions.
Hosts Poland receive a bye to the final meaning eight teams will duke it out it over two semi-finals for the opportunity to compete alongside them in the showpiece race.
On Tuesday July 25, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Czech Republic are in action while Finland, France, Denmark and Australia will battle it out 24 hours later.
The winning team from each semi will advance to the final on July 29, while the four teams who finish second and third in those races face off in the Race Off on July 28 for a chance to snare the fourth and final place 24 hours later.
Having initially naming provisional squads of up to 10 riders, the teams have been whittled down to five, consisting of four starters and a reserve.
Teams have also been allocated their helmet colour for the semis.
Should they make the final, team managers have the opportunity to adjust their line-ups.
A number of FIM Speedway Grand Prix stars will be in action for their respective countries for the tournament.
Great Britain will be captained by Tai Woffinden and will have Dan Bewley and Robert Lambert in their ranks.
The Swedish team will include Fredrick Lindgren and Kim Nilsson; Mikkel Michelsen, Anders Thomsen and Leon Madsen feature for Denmark, and Australia, winners of the Speedway of Nations in 2022, will boast the talents of Max Fricke, Jack Holder and Jason Doyle.
SPEEDWAY WORLD SEMI-FINAL STARTING LINE-UPS:
SEMI-FINAL 1 – TUESDAY, JULY 25
1. Kai Huckenbeck (captain)
Team Managers: Sascha Dörner / Mathias Bartz
Team Manager: Morgan Andersson
Team Manager: Oliver Allen / Simon Stead
CZECH REPUBLIC – YELLOW
Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind
SEMI-FINAL 2 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
Team Manager: Aki-Pekka Mustonen
Team Manager: Laurent Sambarrey
Team Managers: Nicki Pedersen / Henrik Møller
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