Speedway‰Ûªs brightest young talents will get their chance to shine in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup this summer following changes to the FIM rulebook.
As in 2016, national team managers can name an under-21 rider alongside their main four stars for this year‰Ûªs Monster Energy SWC.
But instead of just being on hand to stand in for a sick or injured rider, the No.5 can now replace any of his team mates in up to five rides at any time, and take an additional sixth outing as a tactical substitute or joker.
The change means under-21 stars will be more important than ever to their countries as they battle it out for a place in the Monster Energy SWC Race Off and Final at Leszno on July 7 and 8.
The competition gets started with Event 1 at King‰Ûªs Lynn on July 1, featuring Great Britain, Australia, USA and the Czech Republic, before Vastervik stages Event 2, starring Sweden, Denmark, Russia and the qualifying round winners on July 4.
Commenting on the changes, BSI Speedway managing director Torben Olsen said: ‰ÛÏIntroducing under-21 reserves to the Monster Energy SWC was a great step forward in helping national teams develop their stars of tomorrow. So we‰Ûªre delighted to be taking things a step further by giving them an even bigger role in a meeting.
‰ÛÏIt would be fantastic to see these No.5 riders step up, become a hero for their country and launch their international careers on the senior stage.‰Û
