CHAMPION TRIO RETURNS FOR GB IN FIM SON SEMI-FINAL 2

World champions Great Britain select three of their 2021 history-makers as they launch their title defence at FIM Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 2 in Vojens, Denmark on Thursday, July 28.

The Lions take on fellow 2021 finalists Sweden and France, plus Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy and FIM SON newcomers Slovakia on night two of the four-day tournament – the first of a new era of FIM Speedway under new global promoter Discovery Sports Events.

Each nation selects two starters at No.1 and No.2, as well as a No.3 reserve rider, who can be called into action as a substitute by the team manager at any time throughout the event.

GB’s triple Speedway GP world champion Tai Woffinden captains the Lions, starting Semi-Final 2 alongside former European champion Robert Lambert, with their SGP rival Dan Bewley listed at No.3.

Swedish boss Morgan Andersson brings world No.5 Fredrik Lindgren back into the side after he missed the 2021 Final due to illness, with the in-form Oliver Berntzon starting for the first time since 2020. Late call-up Victor Palovaara, who replaced the injured Pontus Aspgren, rides straight into the No.3 spot and could make his FIM SON debut.

France nominates their top two from 2021, David Bellego and Dimitri Berge. No.2 Bellego is making rapid progress in the sport and lines up in Poland’s PGE Ekstraliga with Leszno for the first time this season. He is joined by two former FIM World Long Track champions in Berge at No.1 and Mathieu Tressarieu at No.3.

Former Speedway GP reserve Vaclav Milik leads a young Czech Republic team into action, starting at No.1, with talented under-21 riders Jan Kvech (No.2) and Petr Chlupac (No.3), who both reached the final of the FIM SGP2 of Czech Republic on May 27, also named in the side.

Slovakia’s four-time Speedway GP winner Martin Vaculik proudly captains his country into their first FIM SON event at No.1. He is joined in the starting pair by No.2 Jakub Valkovic, with Patrik Buri named as their No.3.

Slovenia’s challenge is led by two-time national champion Matic Ivacic at No.1, who is partnered by former FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship finalist and No.2 Nick Skorja. Teenage prospect Anze Grmek is named at No.3.

Italy’s challenge is led by Nicolas Covatti – a former Speedway GP wild card and FIM GP Challenge finalist. He lines up at No.2 with captain and No.1 Paco Castagna – son of Italian speedway legend Armando Castagna. Daniele Tessari is nominated at No.3 for what could be his first FIM SON appearance.

The top two teams after 21 heats automatically join hosts Denmark in the FIM SON Final on Saturday, July 30, with the third and fourth-placed teams competing in the Final Qualifier for the last spot in Saturday’s Final.

Tickets for all four nights of the FIM SON at Vojens Speedway Center are still available online. Secure your spot at trackside – book here now: https://www.billetlugen.dk/eventseries/3187803/?affiliate=WW2

 

FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS SEMI-FINAL 2 – STARTING LINE-UPS (IN DRAW ORDER):

 

A – CZECH REPUBLIC: 1 Vaclav Milik ©, 2 Jan Kvech, 3 Petr Chlupac. Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind.

 

B – GREAT BRITAIN: 1 Tai Woffinden ©, 2 Robert Lambert, 3 Dan Bewley. Team Managers: Simon Stead and Oliver Allen.

 

C – FRANCE: 1 Dimitri Berge, 2 David Bellego ©, 3 Mathieu Tressarieu. Team Manager: Laurent Sambarrey.

 

D – SWEDEN: 1 Fredrik Lindgren ©, 2 Oliver Berntzon, 3 Victor Palovaara. Team Manager: Morgan Andersson.

 

E – ITALY: 1 Paco Castagna ©, 2 Nicolas Covatti, 3 Daniele Tessari. Team Manager: Alessandro Dalla Valle.

 

F – SLOVAKIA: 1 Martin Vaculik ©, 2 Jakub Valkovic, 3 Patrik Buri. Team Manager: Jakub Zliechovec.

 

G – SLOVENIA: 1 Matic Ivacic ©, 2 Nick Skorja, 3 Anze Grmek. Team Manager: Gregor Arnsek.

Photo: Taylor Lanning