Ward gets full-time gig in 2012

The replenishment of Australian stocks in the Speedway World Championship continues, with young gun Darcy Ward given the green light to compete on a full-time basis in 2012.

Ward, who just missed out on winning a third consecutive world under 21 title this year, will line up alongside compatriots Chris Holder and Jason Crump.

Ward made his SGP debut in Poland this year as a wildcard, producing an amazing third place. His breakout year also included a starring role in Australia’s Speedway World Cup campaign, and a host of big-race performances in Britain and Poland.

In 2012, Australia will have the same number of riders as speedway heavyweights Poland, Denmark and Sweden.

In the noughties, Australia had up to five riders competing in the speedway championship, with Crump and Leigh Adams joined by the likes of Craig Boyce, Todd Wiltshire and Ryan Sullivan.

But that was eventually pared back to just Crump and Adams, before the latter retired from international competition at the end of 2009 – just as Holder was entering the scene.

The permanent riders in 2012 are as follows:

And as mentioned on the Bikesales Network a few days ago, New Zealand will host the opening 2012 round on March 31. The full calendar is as follows:

31 March, Auckland, New Zealand
28 April, Leszno, Poland
12 May, Prague, Czech Republic
26 May, Gothenburg, Sweden
09 June, Copenhagen, Denmark
23 June, Gorzow, Poland
28 July, Gorican, Croatia
11 August, Terenzano, Italy
25 August, Cardiff, Great Britain
08 September, Malilla, Sweden
22 September, Vojens, Denmark
06 October, Torun, Poland