The German team will be on home ground next weekend as they defend their World title in Mühldorf, Bavaria where the final will be held with the six top nations competing the event over 15 heats.
Favourites must be seven times winners champions Germany who once again are fielding a very strong team with a balance of experience and youth. Veteran Jörg Tebbe captains the squad as the 36 year old continues to show consistent form along with his experienced colleague Stefan Katt who won the recent Teterow meeting in some style. Youth comes in the shape of World individual champion Erik Riss and 17 year old sensation Michael Härtel who was so impressive in Herxheim in May.
The Netherlands who took the title in 2013 look decidedly weaker without Theo Pijper and Dirk Fabriek.
Jannick de Jong leads the side which also includes Henry van der Steen and newcomer Sjoerd Rozenberg. The Dutch team have elected to race without a reserve rider.
France are looking decidedly strong with the Tresarieu brothers, Stéphane and Mathieu supported by Dmitri Berge, now thankfully recovered from the injuries which blighted his 2014 season. Théo Di Palma takes the Reserve spot.
Great Britain declare the same team as last year with the exception of injured David Howe who was top scorer last year. His place at reserve is taken by young James Shanes the British Under-21 champion and another prospect for future success. Glen Philips, Andrew Appleton and Richard Hall provide a wealth of experience but will all have to be at their best if they are to lift the Don Godden trophy.
The Czech Republic will also need good performances from both ‘Pepe’ Franc and Richard Wolff if they are to secure a podium place for the first time. Martin Malek joins the team but there must be doubts over the fitness of Reserve Hynek Stichauer who is currently nursing a broken ankle.
Finland will be hard pressed to make up for the absence of Kauko Nieminen, their top scorer in last year’s event but will welcome the return of Aki-Pekka Mustonen and Finnish Long Track Champion Jesse Mustonen.
Teams declared for the meeting are:
| Team | Riding N° | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| GERMANY | 1 | Jörg Tebbe (capt) |
| 2 | Micahel Härtel | |
| 3 | Stephan Katt | |
| 19 | Erik Riss | |
| THE NETHERLANDS | 4 | Jannick de Jong (capt) |
| 5 | Henry van der Steen | |
| 6 | Sjoerd Rozenberg | |
| 20 | - | |
| FRANCE | 7 | Stephane Tresarrieu (capt) |
| 8 | Mathieu Tresarrieu | |
| 9 | Dimitri Berge | |
| 21 | Théo Di Palma | |
| FINLAND | 10 | Jesse Mustonen |
| 11 | Aki-Pekka Mustonen (Capt) | |
| 12 | Aarni Heikkilä | |
| 22 | Matias Maenpaa | |
| GREAT BRITAIN | 13 | Glen Phillips (capt) |
| 14 | Andrew Appleton | |
| 15 | Richar Hall | |
| 23 | James Shanes | |
| CZECH REPUBLIC | 16 | Josef Franc (capt) |
| 17 | Richard Wolff | |
| 18 | Martin Malek | |
| 24 | Hynek Stichauer |
Racing commences at 13.30 on Sunday afternoon 28th June but there is a full programme of national solo and sidecar races throughout the day. Jury President for the meeting is Mick Bates from Great Britain and the Referee, Poland’s Piotr Lis.