DOYLE: AUSSIE OPTIONS

Aussie star Jason Doyle says his country isn’t short of Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations options as boss Mark Lemon prepares to reveal his side.

The men from Down Under take on Great Britain, Denmark, USA, France, Finland and Latvia at Race Off 2 in Manchester on May 11, with the Aussies among the favourites to earn one of three places available for the Finals in Togliatti on July 20 and 21.

With riders like Doyle, 2012 world champion Chris Holder, SGP second reserve Max Fricke, Troy Batchelor, Brady Kurtz, Rohan Tungate, Sam Masters, Jack Holder and Nick Morris all in the running for the senior spots, JD is delighted to see the next generation pushing for the starting line-up. And he’s confident Australia can make its mark in the World Championship.

He said: “The young boys in Aussie are coming through – Kurtzy and Frickey and even little (Jack) Holder. I know he hasn’t had the best of runs in the last couple of meetings, but he showed very good form at the end of last season.

“We’ll see what happens. There’s a long way to go, but as long as we stay safe, we can go for it.

“I know it’s going to be a very difficult one in Manchester. The format is a bit different, but I think we have a good chance.”

Should Doyle get picked and lead Australia to Togliatti, the Newcastle-born man says he has some experience of the Russian track. And he’s glad to see the defending champions playing host to this season’s Finals.

He said: “The Russians won the last Speedway of Nations, so they are the rightful people to be hosting the Finals in Togliatti. It’s going to be an eye opener, but it’s going to be good for the sport.

“I rode Togliatti probably four years ago. It was a bit different then. I was riding the club bikes in Russia.”