Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs has been handed the Rietumu Bank Latvian FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild card as racing comes to the newly-revamped Bikernieki Stadium in Riga on August 16.
Lebedevs joined international team mates Maksims Bogdanovs and Kasts Puodzuks in testing the new circuit on Saturday, as it was unveiled to guests and media from around the country.
A number of demonstration races were held and Lebedevs will hope to use his sneak preview of the track to his advantage as none of the permanent SGP riders have ever competed in the stunning Latvian capital – one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture.
Lebedevs, who reached last season’s Rietumu Bank Latvian SGP semi in Daugavpils, dons the No.16 race jacket for the second season running.
An FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship finalist last year, Lebedevs has established himself as Latvia’s brightest prospect. He also raced for his country in Event 2 of the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup at Vastervik last week.
The 19-year-old competes for Latvian club Daugavpils, who race in the Polish First Division. He also rides for Swedish Elitserien title contenders Rospiggarna and Region Varde in Denmark.
He is joined in Riga’s big return to the speedway scene by track reserves Kasts Puodzuks and Vjaceslavs Giruckis.
Puodzuks, who lines up at No.17, joined Lebedevs in the Latvian team for the Monster Energy SWC last week. No.18 Giruckis missed out, but played a key role as the Latvians finished third in the 2013 Race Off at Prague’s Marketa Stadium.
The referee in Riga will be Sweden’s Krister Gardell.
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