SWEDISH STAR NILSSON UP FOR THE WORLD CUP

Swedish star Kim Nilsson believes bigger teams will create a bigger tournament as the FIM Speedway World Cup returns in Wroclaw from July 25-29.

The sport’s original international team event is back for the first time in six years this summer, with nine nations battling it out for the Ove Fundin Trophy over four nights of epic racing.

Countries will select a team of five riders for the competition – up from the three that contest the FIM Speedway of Nations, meaning more riders from the countries involved have a chance to go for gold.

Hosts Poland are seeded straight through to the Final, with FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Australia, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France and Germany battling for the right to join them in the last four over two four-team Semi-Finals and the last-chance Race Off.

With the FIM SON raced using a pairs format with three-man teams, it has been tougher for riders to break into their national side since the competition was introduced in 2018.

Nilsson is delighted to see the FIM SWC return as it takes place once every three years. He said: “I think a format with five riders makes for a bigger crowd following it in Sweden.

“If it’s five riders representing the country and not just two or three, it brings together the whole nation more. I hope this will offer something good for the crowd and bring more people to watch it.

“More of the riders can show what they are capable of doing. I think it will help the countries who have worked well with the younger guys over a few years. They will have four, five, six or seven riders who could possibly fit into the team.

“The nations with a narrower choice will not be as competitive. But I think a few of the nations have quite a wide range of riders who can be competitive in these meetings.”