LONG TRACK : 2013 Wild Cards

The FIM CCP Commission bureau has named the wild card riders for the 2013 FIM Long-Track World Championship.

A new formula, similar to that of the Speedway GP, has been validated.

New features:   

• 19 permanent riders +  1 wild card
• 5 wild cards
• 20 heats (instead of 12) + 2 semi-finals and final = 23 heats.
• 5 riders / heat instead of 6
• The finals can be held on tracks ranging from 350m to 1300m long
• Riders who had a really bad season or injuries in 2012, are being given another chance:

Richard SPEISER (GER): Injured since the beginning of the season, he fell heavily during a meeting in Germany. Suffering from back and arm problems, he had to have surgery. The young German hopeful was Vice World Champion in 2011.

David HOWE (UK): Injured since the World Championship by team in St Macaire in June, he is just getting over a collarbone injury. He was the best scorer in the British team this year. A rookie World Championship rider in 2012, he wants to put this year of misery behind him and show that he can compete with the best in 2013.

Stéphane Tresarrieu (F): 13th in the World rankings and 16th in the GP Challenge, he missed the end of the final 4 in Groningen, where he suffered a foot injury, and also had to sit out the final 5 in Marmande. The best French rider will do his utmost to return to his top level in 2013 and match his Vice World Champion performance of 2009.

Glen PHILLIPS (UK): 10th in the World rankings and 8th in the GP Challenge, the British No. 1 has had a pretty eventful season, dogged with mechanical failures and other issues. Just qualified in 2012, he failed to clinch a berth this year, so the wild card is a great boon for him!

5th WILD CARD : to be appointed.

Here is the full list of 2013 permanent riders :

Text : Lydia ROBIN

Pics : Lydia ROBIN