Four ex-Workington Comets riders have been chosen for a Great Britain side to race against the Rest of the World next month.
It’s a power-packed Global Challenge Series as GB start to assess their squad for the reintroduction of the five-man World Cup in 2023.
All of which means numerous Cumbrian speedway enthusiasts will be heading for Glasgow’s Ashfield Stadium on July 9.
Ex-British champions Craig Cook and Charles Wright are joined in the GB line-up by current Grand Prix star Dan Bewley, as well as Kyle Howarth.
There’s even a former Comet named in the Rest of the World team, Rasmus Jensen.
GB boss Olly Allen said: “The benefit of any test series is to get a look at every rider at our disposal. With the new World Cup approaching next season, we need to give every rider a chance to impress and stake their claim for a place.
“Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert were unavailable for this test so it was an ideal opportunity to look at the squad.
“Craig Cook and Charles Wright are former British champions and should be pushing for a team place. Likewise Kyle Howarth is one of the most in-form British riders right now in both UK leagues.
“This is a stern test. The Rest of the World have two quality Grand Prix riders and it will be important to get another good result in the Global Challenge Series.
“We are looking forward to coming back to Glasgow. The test match against Poland last year was excellent. The weather didn’t play ball last year but it was a great occasion and result for the team.”
Current Glasgow ace and Speedway of Nations gold medal winner Tom Brennan gets his place again alongside young star Jordan Palin while it’s a much-awaited return for Cook on home shale and Howarth.
The Rest of the World will be led by the strong duo of Warsaw GP winner Fricke and Doyle. There’s also a return to Ashfield for Dane Rasmus Jensen, who rode for Glasgow as well as Workington, plus Luke Becker and Dillon Ruml. Hot prospect German Norick Blodorn also gets a place in a team managed by Sam Ermolenko.
Glasgow owner Gerry Facenna is delighted to stage another top class event at Ashfield. He said: “To have three Grand Prix stars back at Glasgow is fantastic for the club and our loyal fans.
“This means that Ashfield will host two of the top five meetings in the UK this year and we are very proud of that.
“I believe the racing at Ashfield is now on par with anything in world speedway. We can’t wait to see the likes of Bewley, Doyle and Fricke going wheel-to-wheel. We want a great crowd and brilliant atmosphere to go with it.”
Great Britain: 1.Dan Bewley, 2.Charles Wright, 3.Craig Cook, 4.Kyle Howarth, 5.Tom Brennan, 6.Jordan Palin.
Rest of the World: 1.Jason Doyle, 2.Norick Blodorn, 3.Max Fricke, 4.Luke Becker, 5.Rasmus Jensen, 6.Dillon Ruml.
