The starting line-ups for 2026 WWK Schwaiger & Partner FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 1 – Landshut this Friday have been revealed.
Hosts Germany face off with two-time FIM Speedway of Nations world champions Great Britain, Czech Republic and SWC debutants Ukraine, with the winning team advancing to the BOLL FIM Speedway World Cup Final – Warsaw at PGE Narodowy on August 29.
Every team must select four starters at positions No.1 to No.4 and one reserve rider at No.5, who can be called into action by the team manager at any time – taking up to five rides, or six if the team falls six or more points behind the leading nation.
Hosts Germany track a side skippered by former Speedway GP star Kai Huckenbeck, who lines up in the No.5 spot, meaning he can take his rides at a time of team managers Mathias Bartz and Sascha Dorner’s choosing.
Germany also selects its 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 heroes as Norick Blodorn and Mario Hausl, winners of the country’s first world team title at any level, make the starting line-up. They are joined by the experienced Kevin Wolbert and Lars Skupien.
Great Britain brings their Speedway GP duo Dan Bewley and Robert Lambert to Landshut. They are joined by their 2021 and 2024 SON winning teammate Tom Brennan.
Meanwhile, Leon Flint makes his GB debut on the track where he races for Landshut in Poland’s National League. The team is completed by 16-year-old former SGP3 bronze medallist Will Cairns at No.5, who was called into the wider squad along with Cooper Rushen due to injuries for Charles Wright and Adam Ellis.
Like Germany, Czech Republic names a former Speedway GP rider at No.5 as Jan Kvech captains his country. He is joined by the hard-charging Vaclav Milik and 2025 SGP2 star Adam Bubba Bednar.
The team is completed by Daniel Klima, who has started the season in fine form with British Cab Direct Championship side Plymouth, plus 17-year-old former SGP3 rider Adam Nejezchleba.
Ukraine is led into the country’s first SWC event by Speedway GP newcomer Nazar Parnitskyi, with the reigning SGP2 champion named at No.4. He is joined by captain Marko Levishyn, who takes on the No.5 position.
Stanislav Melnychuk, Andrii Rozaliuk and youngster Roman Kapustin complete the team as Ukraine rides in its first FIM SWC Semi-Final.
The four countries battle it out over 20 heats, with one rider from each country in every race. The highest-scoring nation after 20 heats will qualify for the BOLL FIM SWC Final – Warsaw on August 29, joining hosts Poland, 2025 SON world champions Australia and the winners of 11.lv FIM SWC Semi-Final 2 – Riga, which takes place on August 7.
Following this Friday’s SWC action, the individual World Championship season opens with the WWK Schwaiger & Partner FIM Speedway GP of Germany – Landshut on Saturday night.
Tickets for Friday’s SWC action and Saturday’s Speedway GP showdown are on sale now. CLICK HERE to secure your spot at the OneSolar Arena.
RED – GREAT BRITAIN
1. Dan Bewley
2. Robert Lambert ©
3. Tom Brennan
4. Leon Flint
5. Will Cairns
Team Manager: Oliver Allen
BLUE – CZECH REPUBLIC
1. Adam Bubba Bednar
2. Daniel Klima
3. Vaclav Milik
4. Adam Nejezchleba
5. Jan Kvech ©
Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind
WHITE – UKRAINE
1. Stanislav Melnychuk
2. Andrii Rozaliuk
3. Roman Kapustin
4. Nazar Parnitskyi
5. Marko Levishyn ©
Team Manager: Sergii Golovnia
YELLOW – GERMANY
1. Norick Blodorn
2. Mario Hausl
3. Kevin Wolbert
4. Lars Skupien
5. Kai Huckenbeck ©
Team Managers: Mathias Bartz / Sascha Dorner
Words by FIM Speedway – Feature Image by Jarek Pabijan