BELLEGO: FRENCH SPEEDWAY'S RACE OFF BOOST

French star David Bellego hopes to see more young riders emerge after his country claimed sixth place in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup.

The team qualified for the tournament for the first time in its history and reached the Race Off, beating Finland to third place in Semi-Final 2, with Dimitri Berge starring on 14 points.

They finished third ahead of the Czech team in the Race Off, scoring 20 points. Berge led the way again on 10, with Bellego scoring seven and double World Long Track champion Mathieu Tresarrieu adding three.

With France launching a speedway league in 2017, the nation is making strides in the sport and creating new opportunities for riders.

While Bellego admits finding the numbers to put up a five-man side for the Monster Energy FIM SWC was no easy task, he hopes the French can build on their charge to the Race Off last weekend.

He said: “For us it was tough to go there with a full five-rider squad, but I think everybody did a good job. I was disappointed not to give a bit more to the team, but that’s how it is sometimes.

“Overall, I think we can be happy to have made the Race Off and finished third. Dimitri Berge gave us qualification for the Race Off for sure, so well done to him. He was good again on Friday.

“It was a big boost to be in the Race Off and we will see what happens in a few years. Our league in France is still pretty small at the moment. But it is giving a chance for the younger kids to be part of the sport and part of the speedway world. 

“For sure it’s a big step from racing in France to being in the SWC, but we can see some new faces are there and it will hopefully bring through some more kids for the future.”