Latvia to Host FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 2 in Riga on August 7

Riga Prepares for FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 2

The Biķernieku track is set to host a high-stakes weekend of international speedway competition this August. On Friday, August 7, 2026, the venue will hold the 11.lv FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 2. The event is a critical juncture for the participating nations, as the winner will advance to the BOLL FIM Speedway World Cup Final, scheduled for August 29 at the PGE Narodowy stadium in Warsaw, where organizers expect more than 50,000 spectators to attend.

The stakes in Warsaw are significant, with the winner of the Riga semi-final joining a field that already includes the defending World Cup champions, Poland, the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations champions, Australia, and the winners of the first semi-final, Great Britain.

Latvia and Denmark Announce Extended Squads

Team managers for the semi-final in Riga have submitted extended rosters of up to 10 riders. These lists will be trimmed to five competitors—four primary riders and one reserve wearing the #5 start number—six days before the event. The Latvian team, competing in their first home-based FIM World Cup, will be led by team captain and top national rider Andžejs Ļebedevs. The squad also includes Daniils Kolodinskis, Jevgeņijs Kostigovs, Oļegs Mihailovs, and Francis Gusts, with Vladimirs Vagels serving as the team manager. The roster is further supplemented by Damirs Fiļimonovs, Ņikita Kauliņš, Artjoms Juhno, Emīls Rimicāns, and Dmitrijs Reuka.

The Danish side, managed by Niki Pedersens, brings a veteran-heavy lineup to the track. The roster includes team captain Mihaels Jepsens Jensens and Leons Madsens, both of whom were part of the 2012 FIM Speedway World Cup winning team. They are joined by Anderss Tomsens, the recent winner of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Sweden, and three-time European champion Mikels Mikelsens. The squad is rounded out by Frederiks Jakobsens, Madss Hansens, Bendžamins Basso, Rasmuss Jensens, and FIM SGP2 stars Mikels Andersens and Villads Nagels.

Sweden and Norway Complete the Field

Rounding out the competition are the squads from Sweden and Norway. Swedish manager Linuss Sundstrēms has named Fredrik Lindgrēnu as the team captain. Despite recent injuries, the team is banking on the world championship fourth-ranked rider to be fit for the Riga stage. The Swedish roster also features national champion Kims Nilsons, two-time national champion Džeikobs Torsels, and Timo Lahti. The extended squad includes Olivers Berntzons, Tomass H. Jonasons, Kaspers Henriksons, Viktors Palovara, Filips Hjelmlands, and Džonatans Ejnermarks.

Norway, led by Kenet Klipers Smits, features a lineup anchored by former FIM SGP2 bronze medalist Matiass Polestads and team captain Trulss Kamhaugs. The roster also includes Glens Moi, Lase Fredriksens, Magnuss Klipers, Jorgens Listads, and Imre Vigre.

Biķernieku Track to Host Consecutive Days of Racing

The Riga event is part of a high-intensity weekend at the Biķernieku track. Following the team competition on Friday, the circuit will host the DeWALT FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia on Saturday, August 8. This event serves as the eighth round of the 2026 FIM Speedway Grand Prix season. The weekend is supported by the Riga City Council, DeWALT, 11.lv, Ramirent, Sixt, Eco Baltia vide, CSDD, Biķernieku trase, and the Riga Motor Museum, with organization managed by D4K. Tickets for both days are currently available through Biļešu Paradīze.

Sources: europesays.com.