GREAT Britain have named their initial 10-man squad for next month’s Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup, which includes Vortex Hammers riders Richard Lawson and Lewis Bridger., whilst Hammers Club captain Davey Watt has been named in the Australian 10 -man Squad.

For the Brits, New team boss Alun Rossiter must select four riders for the GB meeting at King’s Lynn on Saturday, July 26. They’ll face a tough test against Davey’s Australia, USA and the winners of the qualifying round between Russia, Germany, Italy and Slovenia in Terenzano this Saturday. Only one side will advance straight to the final whilst the second and third placed teams will head to the race-off in Bydgoszcz on July 31.

Rossiter has included plenty of young, exciting talent in his squad with the likes of Lewis Kerr, Richie Worrall and Richard Lawson in with a chance of making their Speedway World Cup debuts. They are joined by some experienced performers – with World Champion Tai Woffinden leading the side as skipper.

Although he knows he cannot please everyone, Rossiter insists he has picked what he believes to be the strongest squad available. And he is optimistic about Great Britain’s chances as he prepares to take charge of his first ever World Cup having taken over the helm from Neil Middleditch over the winter.

Said Rossiter: “I’ve just tried to go with what I think is the best squad available – I’m bound to have upset some people as there were some tough decisions to be made but in this position you have to stand by the decisions you make.

“Some people will agree with the riders I’ve chosen and some will inevitably disagree, but I’ve selected the ten riders that I think will do the best job for Team GB as we try to have a good World Cup.

“I’d like to think we can perform well and challenge for a place straight in the final, or if not make the race-off at the very least.

“We should have a lot of support down at King’s Lynn which will give us a big boost, so fingers crossed when it comes down to it the four riders I select from the squad can step up to the occasion and do a good job for Great Britain.”

Team GB Squad Tai Woffinden (Wolverhampton), Chris Harris (Coventry), Danny King (Birmingham/Newcastle), Craig Cook (Belle Vue/Edinburgh), Simon Stead (Leicester/Sheffield), Richie Worrall (Belle Vue/Ipswich), Richard Lawson (Lakeside/Redcar), Ben Barker (Birmingham/Plymouth), Lewis Bridger (Lakeside), Lewis Kerr (King’s Lynn/Newcastle)