2015 Australian Speedway World Cup squad

Australia's three world speedway campaigners, Chris Holder, Jason Doyle and Troy Batchelor, have been named in the nation's 10-man squad for the 2015 Speedway World Cup, with the campaign to begin in King’s Lynn, Great Britain on June 8.

Holder, the 2012 world champion, has been named as captain, with the squad also containing Max Fricke, Josh Grajczonek, Brady Kurtz, Sam Masters, Nic Morris and Dakota North.

“In the squad of 10, three riders would be eligible for the Under 21 World Team Cup being held in Australia on October 31, which shows the rapid progress by our younger riders,” said team manager and former rider Mark Lemon. "With a real mix of experience and enthusiasm to ride for Australia, I’m really excited to see what the young squad can achieve this year.”
Team Australia will compete in the second qualifying event against Great Britain, USA and Latvia at King's Lynn, with the winner going straight through to the final in Denmark on June 13. If Australia doesn't automatically progress, there's a second chance to make the final through a Race-Off — but only if it finishes second or third in its qualifying event.

Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and a qualifier will compete in the first event in Poland on June 6.

“We need all the boys firing from the get go to win at King’s Lynn and go directly to the final to avoid the cut-throat Race Off,” Lemon said. “The last three years have seen injury clouds hover over us prior to the SWC competition and we’re hoping for a smooth build up this time around.

“We have won the Race Off for the last two years running but it’s a situation we’d rather avoid, so the focus will be on getting straight through to the final.”

Australia won the first two SWCs in 2001 and 2002, and has finished on the podium seven times since without a victory. Last year, Denmark won a thrilling final on 38pts from Poland (37) and Australia (36).

A majority of the top guns from the SWC, including Doyle, Batchelor and Holder, will also compete in the final round of the 2015 Speedway World Championship at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 24. If you want to get tickets for the return of the series to Australian soil after a 13-year hiatus, click here.