2019 MONSTER ENERGY SON DRAW REVEALED

The 2019 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations draw has been revealed as Germany and Great Britain launch their quest for World Championship gold on home shale in May.

Race Off 1 at Landshut on May 4 sees the Germans host neighbours Poland, who are bidding to secure their ninth world title of the 21st century and their first since the World Championship switched to a pairs format last year.

They are joined in Bavaria by 2018 finalists Sweden, who are aiming to win their first world crown since 2015.

Slovenia – who were a run-off away from the Monster Energy SON Finals last summer – also battle it out, along with the Czech Republic, Italy and the Ukraine.

Race Off 2 at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium on May 11 pits GB against old rivals Australia, managed by Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon on his SGB Premiership home track.

They are also drawn against Denmark – a nation seeking its fifth world title of the 21st century and its first under the stewardship of four-time world champion Hans Nielsen.

France and Finland return to Manchester after competing in last year’s Race Off 2 there, while USA and Latvia complete the line-up. 

The top two countries in each event will join hosts and defending champions Russia in the Monster Energy SON Finals at Togliatti on July 20 and 21. The teams placed fourth and fifth will then compete in a knock-out heat with the winner of that facing the third-placed side for the last spot in Russia.

MONSTER ENERGY SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS DRAW

RACE OFF 1, LANDSHUT, GERMANY (May 4): Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine.

RACE OFF 2, MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN (May 11): Australia, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Finland, Latvia, USA.

FINALS, TOGLIATTI, RUSSIA (July 20 & 21): Russia, three teams from Race Off 1, three teams from Race Off 2.