The 2017 Under 21 Team title is at stake as the four qualified teams line up in Rybnik on Saturday and the major question is whether Poland can retain the championship that they have won nine times in the twelve years that this competition has been run.
The Poles won comfortably in Sweden last year but have been able to retain only one of their winning team in Bartosz Smektala. However, their strength in depth is apparent as they track their latest squad to include Kacper Woryna and Maksym Drabik and with home track advantage must have a good chance of extending their hold on the trophy. Drabik is performing well for his Polish team Wroclaw and Rybnik-born Woryna, grandson of former world finalist Antoni Woryna, has considerable experience in Polish, Swedish and British speedway leagues.
Denmark’s national team have enjoyed a miserable season to date and boss Hans Nielsen has selected the same team that stole the bronze medal from the Swedes last year. Now, with another year’s experience, have the Danes improved sufficiently to trouble the others? Good performances from Fredrik Jakobsen and Patrik Hansen are needed and could influence the destination of the silver medal.
Great Britain is beginning to harvest the fruits of a training scheme that has unearthed some promising talent. Current European champion at Under 19 and Under 21 level Robert Lambert skippers a team that includes Adam Ellis and Josh Bates and has a solid appearance but may suffer from a limited experience on Continental tracks.
Mark Lemon, Australian Team Manager retains the core of the team that took silver last year and introduces two newcomers in Josh Pickering, currently a steady scorer for his British team Edinburgh, and the comparatively untried Jaimon Lidsey. Much will depend on the fitness of Max Fricke and Brady Kurtz who have both had injury problems this year but are potential match winners when on their best form.
The first race in Rybnik will start at 18.00 local time and proceedings will be overseen by FIM Jury President Petr Moravec from Czech Republic and Chris Durno, Referee from Great Britain
Graham Brodie