Aussie icon Jason Doyle has an FIM Speedway grand slam in his sights as he eyes FIM Speedway World Cup gold in Warsaw this summer.
The 2017 Speedway GP world champion and two-time SON gold medallist has the chance to become the first rider in the sport’s modern history to complete a hat-trick of SGP, SON and SWC world titles.
The Roos ended their 20-year wait for a world team crown in 2022, winning the SON in Vojens, before regaining the trophy in Torun last October – a victory that sealed their qualification for this year’s PZM FIM SWC Final in Warsaw. But Australia has not topped the podium in the SWC since 2002.
It’s the only 21st-century world championship missing from Doyle’s collection and if boss Mark Lemon calls him into action for the PZM FIM SWC Final at PGE Narodowy on August 29, Doyle would love the chance to become the first rider in the sport’s modern history to win all three.
“I would love to have that gold medal and be the first rider to win all three,” Doyle said. “The SWC is one that has eluded me for so long.
“I’m looking forward to it. I have never won a World Cup. I’ve had a couple of bronzes. We haven’t even had a second since I have been part of it.
“If it’s our time, what a time to do it in Warsaw in front of tens of thousands of fans. World-Cup speedway is very close to my heart, and we know it’s going to be a great event. Hopefully it will be a very good one for Team Australia. I hope I am going to be part of it. We will see if Lemo picks me.”
The Aussies go into the Warsaw showpiece hotly-tipped for success, with Doyle, Jack Holder and Max Fricke all former FIM Warsaw Speedway GP winners, while world No.2 Brady Kurtz took second place in last year’s event.
While a tight and technical track should suit the Roos, Doyle admits the Poles won’t be short of support from the stands. He said: “It will be better for the Polish guys, being on home soil. But there’s the other side to it – they can’t practise on the track as much as they are used to because it’s an indoor stadium. They can only practise as much as we can.”