The Cheetahs topped the qualifying standings at Wimborne Road before overcoming Glasgow in the semi-finals and defeating Berwick 6-3 in the Grand Final.

It marked Oxford’s first senior trophy since speedway returned to the city in 2022 and provided a major high at the end of what has been a difficult Championship campaign for the club.

Masters and Rowe were the standout pairing throughout the meeting, remarkably avoiding a single last place across their six outings.

Oxford top qualifying

The Oxford duo set the standard during the qualifying heats, accumulating 26 points under the 4-3-2-0 scoring system.

That put them three points clear of home favourites Poole on 23, while Berwick scored 20 and Glasgow 19 to secure the remaining two semi-final places.

Scunthorpe and Plymouth both finished on 17 points, with Redcar on 16, Edinburgh 14 and Workington 10.

Masters contributed 14 of Oxford’s points with Rowe adding 12, as the pair recorded two maximum 7-2 advantages and two 6-3 heat wins.

Oxford see off Glasgow

Having already beaten Glasgow 6-3 in Heat 16, Oxford faced the Tigers again in the opening semi-final.

Masters made the start and went on to take the victory, while Chris Harris moved into second.

With second and third enough to progress under the Pairs scoring system, Rowe held the crucial third position ahead of Leon Flint to secure another 6-3 Oxford victory and a place in the Grand Final.

Berwick stun hosts Poole

The second semi-final produced the biggest upset of the night as Berwick eliminated home favourites Poole.

Zach Cook and Richard Lawson initially appeared to have the race under control, but Nick Morris worked his way into second before Peter Kildemand moved inside Lawson on lap three.

Cook won the race, but Morris and Kildemand’s second and third places gave Berwick a 5-4 victory and ended Poole’s hopes of winning on home shale.

Masters and Rowe seal the title

That set up an Oxford versus Berwick Grand Final, and the Cheetahs once again delivered when it mattered.

Masters and Rowe made strong starts before Kildemand moved into second place.

With Masters out front, the battle for the decisive third position became crucial. Kildemand attempted to slow Rowe and bring teammate Morris into contention, but the Oxford rider held firm.

Masters took the chequered flag ahead of Kildemand, with Rowe’s third place sealing a 6-3 victory and the Championship Best Pairs title for Oxford.

Masters felt there was no question that Oxford deserved their victory.

“It was nice to finally get a gold. We’ve had a lot of silver since I’ve joined the club but we’ve finally got a gold, and it’s come at the end of the toughest year in the club’s history.

“Poole were favourites, and Berwick did us a massive favour by knocking them out in the semi-finals. But I felt we deserved to win – we were the best pair throughout the evening, including in the qualifying races.

“Anders was awesome tonight. He was out there scoring points and we were team riding, which is what this Pairs event is all about. The best team won and I’m glad it was us.”

Rowe added:

“It’s awesome to win the Pairs with Oxford. We haven’t had the best of seasons, but we’ve been fighting hard all year, and it’s fantastic that we won today.

“When we were talking before the meeting, we said we needed no last places and we managed that all night. We knew that would get us through the qualifiers and then it started all over in the semis and the final and we managed it there too.”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck described the victory as a reward for everyone who had supported the club through a difficult season.

“I’m so chuffed with the result today. It’s what everyone connected with the club deserves at the end of such a rough year.

“It wasn’t just about winning today. It was about bringing back something to everyone at Oxford, and saying thank you for continuing to back our great club.”

2026 Championship Best Pairs – Results

1st Oxford – Sam Masters & Anders Rowe
2nd Berwick – Peter Kildemand & Nick Morris

Semi-Final 1

Oxford 6-3 Glasgow
Sam Masters, Chris Harris, Anders Rowe, Leon Flint

Semi-Final 2

Berwick 5-4 Poole
Zach Cook, Nick Morris, Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson

Grand Final

Oxford 6-3 Berwick
Sam Masters, Peter Kildemand, Anders Rowe, Nick Morris

Image courtesy of British Speedway – Taylor Lanning

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The Roos topped the standings on 38 points, completing a remarkable double after also winning the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations. Brady Kurtz led the Australian scoring with 11 points and sealed the title with second place in heat 19.

It was also a historic night for Jason Doyle, who became the first rider to complete the modern-day Speedway Grand Prix, Speedway World Cup and Speedway of Nations grand slam, adding the SWC crown to his 2017 individual world title and SON successes in 2022 and 2025.

Kurtz hails Australian team spirit

Australian skipper Kurtz, racing in his first Speedway World Cup Final, felt the bond within the team helped make the difference on a huge night in Poland.

“When I saw the boys come running out after we won, I was pumped. It was something really special. I am so happy to be a part of it. I feel like it has been such a long wait for me to be a part of an SWC team. To get this across the line is pretty cool.

“I think Australia is by far the country that is proudest to race in the World Cup. There is no question about it. I think we all bonded a little bit better than the rest of the countries. It is a cool weekend to be a part of, and I think that definitely helped us.”

Denmark take silver, Poland third

Behind Australia, Denmark fought back strongly to claim silver with 30 points, despite scoring just eight points from their opening nine races. Mikkel Michelsen led the Danish challenge with 12.

That was enough to edge the home nation Poland into bronze by a single point, with the Poles ending the night on 29. Six-time Speedway GP World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik was their leading scorer with 11.

Lambert stars for Great Britain

It wasn’t the result Great Britain had hoped for, with the injury-hit British side finishing fourth on 23 points, but Robert Lambert produced a superb individual performance.

The GB skipper piled up an outstanding 14 of Britain’s 23 points, underlining his current form against some of the world’s best as the British team battled through a difficult night in Warsaw.

Australia’s victory was their third Speedway World Cup crown, following their back-to-back successes in 2001 and 2002, and ends a wait stretching back nearly a quarter of a century

Results

Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

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Hosts and reigning champions Poland bid to win the SWC title for a record-extending 10th time but face huge competition from 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Australia, Semi-Final 1 winner Great Britain and Semi-Final 2 victor Denmark in the biggest world team final for generations.

The four countries produced an all-time classic contest at the 2023 FIM SWC Final – Wroclaw, with just six points separating Poland in first place and Australia in fourth. They will all be hoping to lift team speedway’s top prize in the biggest track racing event of the year.

Team managers have narrowed down their squads of 10 stars to a starting line-up of four riders, plus one substitute at No.5, who can be called into action at any time, with each rider taking up to five rides – plus a sixth as a tactical substitute if their team falls six or more points behind the leading nation.

Poland is led into action by six-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, who is joined by Speedway European champion Patryk Dudek and 2025 FIM SGP Challenge winner Dominik Kubera.

The line-up is completed by newly crowned four-time Polish champion Maciej Janowski, with 2026 FIM German Speedway GP winner Kacper Woryna offering boss Stanislaw Chomski a strong option at No.5.

Australia qualified for the BOLL FIM SWC Final – Warsaw as 2025 SON world champions and their challenge is led by world No.2 Brady Kurtz, plus two former FIM Warsaw Speedway GP winners – 2017 world champion Jason Doyle and Max Fricke.

With Speedway GP winner Jack Holder still sidelined by injury, team manager Mark Lemon also hands SWC debuts to in-form Queensland racer Ryan Douglas and 2027 Speedway GP qualifier Rohan Tungate, who takes on the No.5 role as the Roos bid to win the SWC for the first time since 2002.

Denmark names an unchanged side from its victory at 11.lv FIM SWC Semi-Final 2 – Riga on August 7, with 2012 SWC winner Michael Jepsen Jensen captaining the side. He is joined by his Speedway GP rival Leon Madsen and 2026 BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla winner Anders Thomsen.

Boss Nicki Pedersen, a four-time SWC winner as a rider, also selects triple European champion Mikkel Michelsen, with 2026 Danish Championship runner-up Frederik Jakobsen named at No.5 as the Danes bid to win their first world team title since 2014.

Great Britain boss Oliver Allen names Speedway GP world title contender Robert Lambert as captain of the Lions as they seek their first world title over the four-team format since 1989.

He is joined by double SWC silver medallist Adam Ellis, while two-time SON world champion Tom Brennan is named in the No.5 role. Former British champion Charles Wright and Leon Flint are rewarded for their recent podium finishes at the 2026 Cab Direct British Speedway Championship Final in Manchester on August 15 with their SWC Final debuts, with SGP icon Dan Bewley still unavailable due to injury.

The four teams will battle it out over 20 heats with one rider from each team in every race. The nation with the most points will be crowned 2026 FIM SWC world champions.

For more details about the Warsaw event, including the fanzone timetable, CLICK HERE.

2026 BOLL FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP FINAL – WARSAW STARTING LINE-UPS:

RED – POLAND:
1. Bartosz Zmarzlik ©
2. Maciej Janowski
3. Dominik Kubera
4. Patryk Dudek
5. Kacper Woryna
Team Managers: Stanislaw Chomski / Dariusz Cieslak

BLUE – GREAT BRITAIN
1. Robert Lambert ©
2. Charles Wright
3. Adam Ellis
4. Leon Flint
5. Tom Brennan
Team Manager: Oliver Allen

WHITE – DENMARK
1. Mikkel Michelsen
2. Leon Madsen
3. Michael Jepsen Jensen ©
4. Anders Thomsen
5. Frederik Jakobsen
Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen

YELLOW – AUSTRALIA
1. Ryan Douglas
2. Brady Kurtz ©
3. Jason Doyle
4. Max Fricke
5. Rohan Tungate
Team Manager: Mark Lemon

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Wojciech Tarchalski

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Charles Wright, a rider with an impressive record in individual and pairs competition, will spearhead the Bears’ title defence and will be joined by Jason Edwards for the 7pm showdown.

The Bears have won the event in three of the last four seasons, and were runners-up on the other occasion, with Wright involved in each of them.

Last year the British No.2 combined with Erik Riss to defeat Poole in the Final, and it was the fourth time Wright had been successful overall as he also won the Pairs with Sheffield back in 2018.

Pirates skipper Zach Cook, one half of the defeated finalists in 2025, is back for another attempt and he will this time join forces with Richard Lawson in a powerful home combination.

The only club other than Redcar to win the silverware since Covid is Glasgow, who were led in 2023 by Chris Harris, and his partner on this occasion for the Tigers is Leon Flint.

Elsewhere in the line-up, Oxford’s Sam Masters is a former winner from back in 2014 when he rode for Edinburgh, and the Australian will be joined by Anders Rowe.

Plymouth captain Danny King partnered Wright to the title when in Redcar colours two years ago, and he is scheduled to line up alongside Scott Nicholls for the Gladiators, subject to the latter’s recovery from a broken collarbone.

Scunthorpe will be led by the league’s top rider Josh Pickering, joining forces with young gun Luke Harrison, whilst Berwick deploy an experienced duo of Peter Kildemand and Nick Morris.

Edinburgh have their ‘Thom(p)son twins’ in action with Dan Thompson pairing up with Aussie racer Kye Thomson, and Workington will be represented by mid-season signing Drew Kemp along with Comets No.1 Jonas Jeppesen.

The format for the event remains unchanged in that each pairing has four races during the qualification section, which comprises 18 heats in total and is scored on the 4-3-2-0 system.

The top four teams after Heat 18 proceed to the two semi-finals (1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd), with the highest scoring pair in each semi-final moving to the Final.

Gate choice for the Final is determined by adding the points scored from the semi-final to the qualifying scores for the two teams concerned, with choice going to the team with the highest total.

The meeting winners will then be the team scoring the highest number of points in the Final.

The Starting Line Up

A – SCUNTHORPE: Josh Pickering & Luke Harrison

B – BERWICK: Peter Kildemand & Nick Morris

C – GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Leon Flint

D – WORKINGTON: Jonas Jeppesen & Drew Kemp

E – REDCAR: Charles Wright & Jason Edwards

F – OXFORD: Sam Masters & Anders Rowe

G – EDINBURGH: Dan Thompson & Kye Thomson

H – POOLE: Richard Lawson & Zach Cook

I – PLYMOUTH: Scott Nicholls & Danny King

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

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Since staging their first fixture in 1951, the Witches have racked up five top-flight titles and established themselves among Britain’s most storied clubs.

Representatives of all five title-winning sides from 1975, 1976, 1984, 1998 and 2025 will be present, with the confirmed rider guest list including Tony Davey, Mick Hines, Kevin Jolly, Leigh Lanham, Savalas Clouting, Chris Schramm, Chris Mills, Alan Sage, Trevor Jones, Andy Hibbs, Carl Squirrell, Stefano Nielsen, Ted Howgego, Lol Hare, Stan Pepper, Roger Pascall, Nigel Flatman, Jeremy Doncaster, Carl Blackbird, Lewis Blackbird, Ben Howe and former Witches title-winning team manager Ritchie Hawkins.

Gates open at the earlier time of 6pm – 5.45pm for season ticket holders – and fans will need the extra time to take in Pete Rout and Jason Bullard’s fantastic collection of Witches race jackets and kevlars throughout the years. There will also be a large exhibition of vintage speedway bikes to enjoy.

In addition to Witches’ Rowe Motor Oil Premiership showdown with Leicester, which sees them bid to avenge their Premiership Knockout Cup Final loss, fans can enjoy a unique second half, raced on upright machines, with Witches team manager Paul Hurry among the stars competing.

This season’s Witches riders will compete in retro race jackets, inspired by the 1951 original. The meeting programme will also have a 1951 theme, and special commemorative merchandise to celebrate the milestone will be available to purchase.

Chairman Richard Coleman is calling on Ipswich fans to share in an occasion celebrating all things Witches.

He said: “It’s an honour to be leading the club into its 75th anniversary season along with Andrew Chisholm and Paul Hurry, and we were keen to do something alongside one of our summer fixtures to mark the occasion.

“We look forward to seeing our Ipswich legends back at Foxhall for this special night and we are working on inviting many more.

“The sight and sound of the vintage bikes is sure to excite fans of every era, and this will definitely offer a very unique second half. I can’t wait to see Paul taking a few laps.

“I was delighted to take a look at Pete Rout and Jason Bullard’s collection of Witches race jackets, bikes and memorabilia at the Suffolk Show in May, and this is a must-see when fans visit Foxhall.

“With so much to see and take in, I would encourage all Witches fans to get to Foxhall a little earlier next week.

“Of course, this year’s team also has a big job to do on the track. We are yet to defeat the Lions at Foxhall this season and there could not be a better night for us to put that right.”

Advance tickets for Witches’ 75-year celebration against Leicester are available online HERE now, with cash accepted at turnstiles on race day and credit card payments available at the entrance to the right.

Those who can’t make it to Foxhall can follow the racing live on WitchesTV HERE.

Words and Images by Ipswich Speedway

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Hosts Poland take on 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Australia, Semi-Final 1 winners Great Britain and Semi-Final 2 victors Denmark in the biggest world team final for generations at the storied PGE Narodowy.

It’s a rerun of the 2023 FIM SWC Final – Wroclaw, which saw the four nations separated by just six points after a Final thriller won by the Poles. They bid to win the SWC world title for a 10th time in the biggest track racing event of 2026 but face huge competition from three countries, all determined to spoil the party in Poland’s capital.

Starting positions for the four teams have been confirmed, with Poland in red helmets, Great Britain lining up in blue, Denmark in white and Australia donning the yellow helmets.

Team managers have named squads of up to 10 riders. Ten days before racing, they must narrow this down to a starting line-up of four riders plus one substitute at No.5, who can be called into action at any time.

An incredible 12 of the 15 FIM Speedway Grand Prix regular riders are named across the four national squads.

The Polish squad is captained by six-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik, who is joined by reigning European champion Patryk Dudek, WWK Schwaiger & Partner FIM Speedway GP of Germany – Landshut winner Kacper Woryna and 2025 FIM SGP Challenge winner Dominik Kubera.

The SGP four are joined in boss Stanislaw Chomski’s squad by former Speedway GP stars Maciej Janowski, brothers Przemyslaw and Piotr Pawlicki and Szymon Wozniak, as well as former SGP2 world champions Mateusz Cierniak and Wiktor Przyjemski.

Australia qualified as 2025 FIM SON world champions and boss Mark Lemon lists his title-winning trio from Torun – captain Brady Kurtz, Jack Holder and Jason Doyle, as well as their SGP rival Max Fricke as the men from Down Under bid to win their first SWC since 2002.

The Roos’ 2027 Speedway GP qualifier Rohan Tungate is named in the squad, alongside 2020 World Under-21 champion Jaimon Lidsey, Ryan Douglas, Ben Cook, Keynan Rew and the all-action Josh Pickering.

Great Britain team manager Oliver Allen’s quest to win the Lions’ first world title over the four-team format since 1989 is led by Speedway GP title contender Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley, who bids to overcome a broken femur in time for one of his favourite events on the world speedway calendar.

They are joined by double FIM SON world-title-winning teammate Tom Brennan, plus former British champions Adam Ellis and Charles Wright, SGP2 star Will Cairns, British Under-21 champion Cooper Rushen, former SGP2 riders Dan Thompson and Leon Flint and SON2 racer Luke Harrison.

Danish team manager and four-time SWC winner Nicki Pedersen selects captain Michael Jepsen Jensen and the in-form Leon Madsen following Denmark’s victory at 11.lv FIM SWC Semi-Final 2 – Riga last Friday.

They are joined by BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla winner Anders Thomsen, triple European champion Mikkel Michelsen and Danish Championship runner-up Frederik Jakobsen, who were also part of Friday’s winning side at Bikernieki.

Former Danish champion Rasmus Jensen, World Under-21 Championship runner-up Mads Hansen, SGP2 series leader Mikkel Andersen, Villads Nagel and new Danish Under-21 champion Bastian Pedersen complete the squad for a country searching for its first world team title since 2014.

2026 BOLL FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP FINAL – WARSAW SQUADS:

RED – POLAND: 1. Mateusz Cierniak, 2. Patryk Dudek, 3. Maciej Janowski, 4. Dominik Kubera, 5. Piotr Pawlicki, 6. Przemyslaw Pawlicki, 7. Wiktor Przyjemski, 8. Kacper Woryna, 9. Szymon Wozniak, 10. Bartosz Zmarzlik (captain). Team Managers: Stanislaw Chomski/Dariusz Cieslak

BLUE – GREAT BRITAIN: 1. Dan Bewley, 2. Tom Brennan, 3. Will Cairns, 4. Adam Ellis, 5. Leon Flint, 6. Luke Harrison, 7. Robert Lambert (captain), 8. Cooper Rushen, 9. Dan Thompson, 10. Charles Wright. Team Manager: Oliver Allen

WHITE – DENMARK: 1. Michael Jepsen Jensen (captain), 2. Leon Madsen, 3. Anders Thomsen, 4. Mikkel Michelsen, 5. Frederik Jakobsen, 6. Mads Hansen, 7. Bastian Pedersen, 8. Villads Nagel, 9. Mikkel Andersen, 10. Rasmus Jensen. Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen

YELLOW – AUSTRALIA: 1. Ben Cook, 2. Ryan Douglas. 3. Jason Doyle, 4. Max Fricke, 5. Jack Holder, 6. Brady Kurtz (captain), 7. Jaimon Lidsey, 8. Josh Pickering, 9. Keynan Rew, 10. Rohan Tungate. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

Tickets are still available >>HERE<<

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

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British Speedway is delighted to have concluded arrangements with ITV plc for the live broadcast of the showpiece major event at the National Speedway Stadium, Manchester on August 15 (7pm).And in a further boost, long time

Championship backers Cab Direct have agreed a deal to become title sponsors of the prestige meeting which will feature Grand Prix star Robert Lambert defending the title.

Lambert, who is currently in contention for the World title, clinched his second British crown last year at the same venue in a deciding race widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the sport.

He overcame former champions Charles Wright, Dan Bewley and Chris Harris in a remarkable four way, four lap battle which went right down to the wire.

Seven riders who have previously won the title figure in the draw, as well as some of the sport’s top rising talent including 16-year-old Cooper Rushen and 17-year-old home favourite Will Cairns.

The return to ITV platforms will evoke memories of televised speedway coverage on the World of Sport programme which ran until the mid-1980s.

Back then, top events such as the World Final, British Final and international Test Matches were regularly featured, bringing the sport to the widest possible audience and making household names out of many of the riders.

Nowadays, ITV4 is the main linear television outlet for ITV Sport, with motorsport playing a key role in its output.

It has become the established home of the British Touring Car Championship, along with being free-to-air broadcast partner of the FIA Formula E series, and outside of motorsport there is a regular Saturday night EFL highlights programme featuring action from all three Football League divisions.

ITVX is the streaming service operated by ITV plc, containing exclusive content in addition to that which is broadcast free-to-air.

Securing the backing of the UK’s leading taxi supplier, Cab Direct, is yet more positive news for the event as the company continue to extend their support for British Speedway.

Cab Direct have been title sponsors of the Championship league since 2023, subsequently adding the KO Cup competition under the MAXiCab brand, and they will now put their name to one of the sport’s major events for the first time.

Peter Facenna, Managing Director of Cab Direct, said: “We’ve been proud supporters of British Speedway for several years through our sponsorship of the Cab Direct Championship, so it’s fantastic to see the British Final return to free-to-air television.

“ITV coverage will help showcase the speed, skill and excitement of the sport to a wider audience and inspire a new generation of fans.

“Speedway has deep roots in communities across the UK, and we’re proud to support an event that celebrates the very best of British Speedway.”

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “I’m delighted we can once again bring speedway to free-to-air television, and especially for such a big event as the British Final.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this all together, and especially Cab Direct for coming on board as title sponsors.

“We plan to make the event a real spectacle, and that will be the case for everyone attending on the night as well as those watching on ITV.

“We know we can expect a night of top-class racing with so much at stake for the riders on a superb circuit which always produces thrilling action.

“Even by Belle Vue’s standards the Final last year was extraordinary, but we hope this year’s event will be just as memorable, and to have it on free-to-air television with ITV is fantastic news for the sport.”

Live coverage from Belle Vue on Saturday August 15 will get underway at 7pm with the meeting parade, with the opening race at 7.15pm.

CAB DIRECT BRITISH FINAL DRAW: 1 Anders Rowe, 2 Cooper Rushen, 3 Craig Cook, 4 Robert Lambert, 5 Adam Ellis, 6 Drew Kemp, 7 Will Cairns, 8 Dan Thompson, 9 Jason Edwards, 10 Danny King, 11 Charles Wright, 12 Dan Bewley, 13 Jody Scott, 14 Leon Flint, 15 Chris Harris, 16 Tom Brennan. Reserves: 17 Jake Mulford, 18 Ace Pijper.

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

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Hosts Latvia welcome former champions Denmark and Sweden to Bikernieki Stadium, while Norway complete the four-team line-up as they bid to reach the World Cup Final.

Each team manager has selected four starters at numbers one to four, with a substitute at No.5, who can be called into action at any time. Riders can take up to five rides – or six if their team falls six or more points behind the leading nation and their team manager deploys them as a tactical substitute.

Latvia’s challenge is led by double European champion Andzejs Lebedevs, and he is joined by four riders who have featured for this small but mighty speedway nation across their three FIM Speedway of Nations Final appearances in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

Daniils Kolodinskis, Jevgenijs Kostigovs, Olegs Mihailovs and former SGP2 star Francis Gusts line up for Latvia, with Kolodinskis set for double duty as he also races as wild card in the DEWALT FIM Latvian Speedway GP.

Swedish skipper Fredrik Lindgren makes a timely racing return to lead his side into action, having missed six straight Speedway GP rounds due to the injury that he suffered in a crash at a Polish PGE Ekstraliga meeting for Lublin away to Leszno on May 17.

Lindgren teams up with former Speedway GP riders Kim Nilsson and Oliver Berntzon, with double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell and Timo Lahti completing the team.

Danish team manager Nicki Pedersen names a stellar side, captained by 2012 FIM SWC winner Michael Jepsen Jensen. He is joined by Speedway GP rival Leon Madsen, as well as BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla winner Anders Thomsen.

Record three-time European champion Mikkel Michelsen and SWC debutant Frederik Jakobsen complete the side.

Norway’s first-ever SWC Semi-Final team is led by former SGP2 bronze medallist Mathias Pollestad, who inspired his country to qualification at the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations in Torun. He joins forces with Lasse Fredriksen, Glenn Moi, Magnus Klipper and captain Truls Kamhaug for the biggest meeting in Norway’s recent history.

The winning nation completes the line-up for the BOLL FIM Speedway World Cup Final – Warsaw – on August 29, which already features hosts Poland, 2025 SON world champions Australia and Semi-Final 1 winners Great Britain.

Tickets for Latvia’s biggest-ever FIM Speedway weekend are still available. Secure your spot at Bikernieki HERE now.

2026 11.lv FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL 2 – RIGA STARTING LINE-UPS:

DENMARK – RED
1. Michael Jepsen Jensen (captain)
2. Leon Madsen
3. Anders Thomsen
4. Mikkel Michelsen
5. Frederik Jakobsen
Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen

NORWAY – BLUE
1. Mathias Pollestad
2. Lasse Fredriksen
3. Glenn Moi
4. Truls Kamhaug (captain)
5. Magnus Klipper
Team Manager: Kenneth Klipper Smith

LATVIA – WHITE
1. Daniils Kolodinskis
2. Andzejs Lebedevs (captain)
3. Jevgenijs Kostigovs
4. Francis Gusts
5. Olegs Mihailovs
Team Manager: Vladimirs Vagels

SWEDEN – YELLOW
1. Oliver Berntzon
2. Timo Lahti
3. Jacob Thorssell
4. Fredrik Lindgren (captain)
5. Kim Nilsson
Team Manager: Linus Sundstrom

Words FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

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Lambert has been named as one of two Wild Cards for the showpiece Manchester event, with the other going to reigning British Under-21 Champion Cooper Rushen.

Last year, Lambert claimed his second British title in one of the all-time great races around the National Speedway Stadium as he triumphed in an epic Final battle with Charles Wright, Dan Bewley and Chris Harris, all of whom could have won on the last lap.

Now he will return as one of the in-form riders in the World as he sits third in the Grand Prix standings after finishing runner-up in the last two rounds at Wroclaw and Malilla, followed up by winning last weekend’s GP Challenge at Italian venue Terenzano.

Lambert said: “I think the Final last year was one of the best races of the season, and for many years.

“It’s a super racetrack and I’m looking forward to coming back to Manchester. It wasn’t such a good Grand Prix there for me, but at the same time we can improve on that in the British Final.

“I’d love to get my name on the trophy again for sure, and that would be a great achievement.

“I’ll be fully focused on it, and of course I’m looking forward to racing in front of the British fans.”

Meanwhile 16-year-old Rushen is rewarded for his British Under-21 triumph at Redcar as well as an outstanding debut senior season which has seen him racking up the points for King’s Lynn and Poole.

He said: “It’s a pretty crazy thing and I wasn’t really expecting it, but it’s an awesome event to be in and I’ll just enjoy the experience. It’s another learning curve.

“I know it’s going to be a great line-up, some great guys qualified and there’s some great guys who already got through, so hopefully we can put on a show for all the fans who are going to be there – and hopefully the rider who wins deserves it!”

Lambert and Rushen join the eight seeded riders and the six who qualified from the recent semi-final at Leicester to complete the line-up.

Tickets and hospitality packages for the British Final are available from: https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/tickets

BRITISH FINAL LINE-UP (Not in draw order): Dan Bewley, Tom Brennan, Will Cairns, Craig Cook, Jason Edwards, Adam Ellis, Leon Flint, Chris Harris, Drew Kemp, Danny King, Robert Lambert, Anders Rowe, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott, Dan Thompson, Charles Wright. Reserves: Jake Mulford, Dan Gilkes.

Words and Feature Image courtesy of British Speedway

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Hosts Latvia face off with former SWC winners Denmark and Sweden, with Norway making their SWC Semi-Final debut at Bikernieki in an event that takes place 24 hours before the 2026 DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga on Saturday, August 8.

The winners of Semi-Final 2 claim the last available spot at the BOLL FIM SWC Final – Warsaw at PGE Narodowy on August 29, where they face off with reigning champions Poland, 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Australia and Semi-Final 1 winners Great Britain.

Team managers can select up to 10 riders as part of their wider squad, before narrowing down the list to five – four starters and one substitute at No.5 – six days before racing.

Latvia’s squad for their first-ever home SWC event is led by Speedway GP star Andzejs Lebedevs. He is joined by SON teammates Daniils Kolodinskis, Jevgenijs Kostigovs, Olegs Mihailovs and former SGP2 star Francis Gusts.

Damirs Filimonovs, Nikita Kaulins, Artjoms Juhno, Emils Rimicans and Dmitrijs Reuka complete the list for team manager Vladimirs Vagels.

Danish boss Nicki Pedersen selects 2012 SWC-winning teammates Michael Jepsen Jensen and Leon Madsen, as well as BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla winner Anders Thomsen and triple European champion Mikkel Michelsen.

Danish Championship runner-up Frederik Jakobsen joins them, along with Mads Hansen, Benjamin Basso, Rasmus Jensen and SGP2 stars Mikkel Andersen and Villads Nagel.

Swedish team manager Linus Sundstrom names the nation’s Speedway GP star Fredrik Lindgren in the squad as he hopes the world No.4 can return from injury in time.

Swedish champion Kim Nilsson, double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell, Timo Lahti and former SGP riders Oliver Berntzon and Tomas H Jonasson are also listed, along with former SGP2 star Casper Henriksson, Victor Palovaara, Filip Hjelmland and Jonathan Ejnermark.

Norway’s squad is led by former SGP2 bronze medallist Mathias Pollestad. He is joined in boss Kenneth Klipper Smith’s line-up by skipper Truls Kamhaug, Glenn Moi, Lasse Fredriksen, Magnus Klipper, Jorgen Lystad and Imre Vigre.

Tickets for 11.lv FIM SWC Semi-Final 2 – Riga are now available online, along with DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga seats. Secure your spot at Bikernieki – book HERE now.

2026 11.lv FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL 2 – RIGA SQUADS:

LATVIA: Andzejs Lebedevs (captain), Daniils Kolodinskis, Jevgenijs Kostigovs, Olegs Mihailovs, Francis Gusts, Damirs Filimonovs, Nikita Kaulins, Artjoms Juhno, Emils Rimicans, Dmitrijs Reuka. Team Manager: Vladimirs Vagels.

DENMARK: Michael Jepsen Jensen (captain), Leon Madsen, Anders Thomsen, Mikkel Michelsen, Frederik Jakobsen, Mads Hansen, Benjamin Basso, Villads Nagel, Mikkel Andersen, Rasmus Jensen. Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen.

SWEDEN: Casper Henriksson, Filip Hjelmland, Fredrik Lindgren (captain), Jacob Thorssell, Jonathan Ejnermark, Kim Nilsson, Oliver Berntzon, Timo Lahti, Tomas H Jonasson, Victor Palovaara. Team Manager: Linus Sundstrom.

NORWAY: Mathias Pollestad, Truls Kamhaug (captain), Glenn Moi, Lasse Fredriksen, Magnus Klipper, Jorgen Lystad, Imre Vigre. Team Manager: Kenneth Klipper Smith.

Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Taylor Lanning

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