Can Team GB go all the way?

TAI WOFFINDEN and Craig Cook will be hoping to take one step closer to World glory as the British duo prepare themselves for tomorrow evening’s FIM Speedway Of Nations – Race Off 2. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his analysis on what to expect from Team GB in this year’s competition.

 A new year brings a new format in the battle between the countries of the Speedway World, and with more teams than ever to compete with, Alun Rossiter’s team of Brits will need to dig deep if they are to taste title glory.

The new format, titled the Speedway of Nations, see’s two riders from fifteen different countries race off against one another in the hope of making it to the two-legged final being held in Wroclaw, Poland. 

Event one held in Germany over the weekend saw seven countries compete to make it to final, with Russia, Slovenia, and Denmark the victors.

Event two at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium tomorrow evening gives Team GB the chance to make it to their first ever Speedway of Nations final. And strong competition means it will be no easy task.

With two-time World Champion Tai Woffinden back racing in British kevlars following his yearlong absence from Team GB; many are expecting a successful night of racing from the side. 

Woffinden’s inclusion undoubtedly improves the side and fans will be delighted to see the Scunthorpe born rider once again representing his country.

Craig Cook will partner Woffinden in the tournament, with King’s Lynn Stars Robert Lambert being named as the team’s under-21 rider, and it will be crucial for Belle Vue Aces Cook to call on all his experience of racing at his home track if Great Britain are to progress to the finals in Poland.

Now racing in the Grand Prix series has seen Cook have to adapt to racing against the elite riders of the World, and this experience will be beneficial to the 31-year-old when lining up at the tapes.

Tough competition will face Team GB on the night and the main threats will come from Australia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. 

An Australian side featuring current World Champion Jason Doyle, and Max Fricke will be the biggest threat to Rossiter’s Team GB. 

However having under-performed in recent World Cup’s, Australia will need to put in a big performance on Tuesday evening. 

A new competition brings with it a fresh challenge and Alun Rossiter’s Team GB must overcome this first hurdle and make it to the finals in Poland if they are to call this year a success. The riders are ready, the talent is there, and now the talking must be done on the shale.