KING UP FOR GB SELECTION FIGHT

GB star Danny King is targeting Lions’ Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations side, but admitted “I know I have to ride out of my skin” to get a spot.

The stakes are high for the Brits this summer as they have been seeded automatically into the Monster Energy SON Final in Manchester on May 8 and 9 as host nation. But competition for places is set to be fierce.

The switch from the FIM Speedway World Cup to the Monster Energy SON in 2018 saw national team starting line-ups drop from four main riders and one under-21 to just two seniors and a junior.

With GB packing the power of triple world champion Tai Woffinden, it’s often a question of who gets the other senior spot. That battle will be even tougher in 2020 with Robert Lambert no longer eligible for the under-21 berth.

The likes of Craig Cook and Chris Harris will also be competing to partner Woffinden, but 2016 British champion King is ready to stake his own claim to be part of joint bosses Simon Stead and Oliver Allen's side in 2020, even if winning a place is harder than it used to be.

The 2016 SWC silver medallist said: “To be honest, I miss the World Cup. It’s a shame they can’t or won’t run both, but that’s how it is at the minute. It’s very difficult when there are only two guys and a junior getting picked.

“It’s something to strive towards, though, and it’s a goal to set. If I can hit the ground running and put in big scores, hopefully I’ll be in with a shout.

“The new format is tricky and maybe it does make some riders think – ‘there are only two; I haven’t got a chance.’ But that comes down to the mentality of each individual rider.

“It’s a target for me. I know I have to ride out of my skin and be putting in consistently big scores in both leagues to even get a look-in. It’s a challenge for me – one I accept and one I look forward to.”