2024 FIM Speedway of Nations
Semi Finals
Denmark triumphed over Australia at FIM Speedway of Nations Semi-Final 2 in Manchester on Wednesday evening as Latvia pulled off a dramatic Final Qualifier victory to complete Saturday’s Final line-up.
Denmark’s Anders Thomsen, Rasmus Jensen and captain Mikkel Michelsen all delivered impressive performances to send their side through to Saturday’s title showdown as Semi-Final 2 winners with a total of 40 points.
The Aussies started strong, unbeaten in their first three heats. But USA’s Luke Becker got the better of Max Fricke and Jack Holder in heat 12. Then, in a crucial head-to-head with Denmark in heat 16, Australia’s hope for a win slipped away as Holder crashed as the Danes grabbed a 6-3 heat advantage.
Aussie boss Mark Lemon leads his side into Saturday’s Final, bidding to retain the FIM SON world title they won at Danish track Vojens in 2022 – ending the country’s 20-year wait for a world team championship.
Belle Vue Aces favourite Brady Kurtz – competing on his home track in Manchester – topped the Aussie scoreboard on 13 points, with Max Fricke adding 11 and skipper Jack Holder tallying 10.
Lemon is backing his side to raise their game again for the Final. He said: “The boys gelled and worked really well in the pits. We executed the plan, and it worked quite well. But we know Saturday night will be another level.
“We anticipate that with great excitement and expectation to try and deliver what we did in Vojens two years ago. Manchester is a great stadium and a great racetrack. It’s going to be a great Final.
“We go into Saturday with a job to do. We have the talent to do it. Everyone needs a bit of luck. It’s just a competition, but it’s a strong competition and the boys will have to do the basics at world championship level.”
Czech Republic took third place after 21 heats on 30 points, with Latvia scoring 27 to join them in the Final Qualifier – with the winner securing a spot in Saturday’s title showdown.
Victory seemed certain for the Czechs heading until Speedway GP star Jan Kvech crashed while chasing Andzejs Lebedevs going into the final lap to gift Latvia a 6-3 win and a place in Saturday’s Final.
The Danes topped the score chart on 40 points to secure automatic Final qualification alongside runners-up Australia, who registered 34. They join hosts Great Britain, Semi-Final 1 winners Sweden, Poland and Germany. The last qualification place was secured by Latvia, who emerged as shock winners of the Final Qualifier.
FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS SEMI-FINAL 2 SCORES
- DENMARK 40: 1 Mikkel Michelsen 9, 2 Anders Thomsen 17, 3 Rasmus Jensen 14.
- AUSTRALIA 34: 1 Jack Holder 10, 2 Max Fricke 11, 3 Brady Kurtz 13.
- LATVIA 27: 1 Andzejs Lebedevs 18, 2 Daniils Kolodinskis 7, 3 Jevgenijs Kostigovs 2.
- CZECH REPUBLIC 30: 1 Vaclav Milik 12, 2 Jan Kvech 18, 3 Adam Bubba Bednar DNR.
- SLOVENIA 20: 1 Anze Grmek 11, 2 Matic Ivacic 9, 3 Denis Stojs DNR.
- USA 20: 1 Broc Nicol 0, 2 Gino Manzares 0, 3 Luke Becker 20.
- NORWAY 18: 1 Mathias Pollestad 14, 2 Truls Kamhaug 0, 3 Glenn Moi 4.
Images by Jarek Pabijan and Taylor Lanning
