Speedway World Cup 2023 semi-final 2 Recap - Denmark join Great Britain and Poland in final
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Updated 26/07/2023 at 21:22 GMT+1
Welcome to Eurosport's live coverage of the FIM Speedway World Cup 2023 with Australia, Denmark, France and Finland in action from the second-semi-final. One team will progress to Saturday's final where hosts Poland await, while the second and third placed teams will get another chance in Friday's Race Off. On Tuesday Great Britain made it through as the winners of their semi.
'By the skin of their teeth' - Denmark reach Speedway World Cup final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Thanks and goodbye!
Well what an evening that was!! After that, how could you not want to join us for the final, live on Eurosport and discovery+ at 7pm UK time on Saturday where Great Britain will attempt to win the World Cup for the first time in modern speedway.
They'll be joined by Poland, Denmark and one other team - find out who in Friday's run-off where Australia and France will battle Sweden and the Czech Republic for one last ticket to the final. That's at 6pm UK time, see you then!
Pedersen: It was very polite
Nicki Pedersen spoke after a dramatic evening for the rider-manager:
The language was very polite but I have to as a team manager, I’m fighting for my team and that’s how it is, it’s racing sometimes. We could obviously could on the camera it was the wrong decision but that’s how it is sometimes, we pulled it back and made it to the final and I’m proud of Denmark."
Heat 20: Thomsen (DEN), Mustonen (FIN), Mu Tresarrieu (FRA), Doyle (AUS)
AND DENMARK WIN IT!!! Doyle did all he could, sliding up the inside of Anders Thomsen at the first corner and even tagging the Dane's wheel to send him out wide. But Thomsen held on to secure his side's win by one point, with Mathieu Tresarrieu finally scores points - good preparation for Friday's run-off where they join Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
WATCH: Stunning double-overtake for Madsen
Speaking of which, that wasn't even Madsen's best move of the night:
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'Absolutely jet-propelled' - Madsen with superb move to win Heat 12
Video credit: TNT Sports
Heat 19: Lahti (FIN), Berge (FRA), Fricke (AUS), Madsen (DEN)
Dimitri Berge came out strong to get the win but it was high drama behind, Lahti led both Madsen and Fricke with a lap and a half to go but lost both positions late-on, meaning France have qualified for the run-off on Friday and Denmark lead by two points.
Heat 18: Bellego (FRA), J Holder (AUS), Michelsen (DEN), Aarnio (FIN)
IS THIS ON?!? THIS IS ON!!!! Holder got a fantastic start but it was a nightmare behind for Danish captain Mikkel Michelsen as he ran side-by-side with David Bellago for two laps before dropping to third. Two races to go, one point between the teams at the top...
Heat 17: Lidsey (AUS), Jensen (DEN), Vuolas (FIN), Goret (FRA)
And Lidsey takes full advantage on the restart to win ahead of Antti Vuolas. That cuts Denmark's advantage to 3! For what it's worth, I think that was the right decision by the referees.
They said it:
Nicki Pedersen on the phone to the referees:
You look a bit stupid if you exclude him for that, they touched and he's over, he doesn't crash by himself. You need to look out for yourself as a referee and a professional. It's a very wrong decision, I'm sorry it looks stupid my friend. Everybody down here can see what happened but that's ok it's your decision."
Heat 17: Lidsey (AUS), Jensen (DEN), Vuolas (FIN), Goret (FRA)
RASMUS JENSEN GOES DOWN!!! He tapped Antti Vuolas and could get excluded here.
Update: HE'S BEEN EXCLUDED!!! Australia's top rider Jaimon Lidsey is off gate 1 too, can they narrow the gap to 3 points?
And Pedersen has PHONED THE REFEREE to protest the decision. What is going on here?!? This is box-office. The phone isn't working, now race director Phil Morris is phoning the referee on his mobile to Pedersen to speak.
"Sorry mate that's bad it's not working," said Morris. "It's world championship, this is not fair," replied Pedersen.
WATCH: Chaos in heat 9 with TWO restarts needed
Race director Phil Morris was kept busy in heat 9:
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Drama in SWC semi-final 2 Heat 9 as TWO restarts needed
Video credit: TNT Sports
Nominated heats lineups
Heat 17: Lidsey (AUS), Pedersen (DEN), Vuolas (FIN), Goret (FRA)
Heat 18: Bellego (FRA), J Holder (AUS), Michelsen (DEN), Aarnio (FIN)
Heat 19: Lahti (FIN), Berge (FRA), Fricke (AUS), Madsen (DEN)
Heat 20: Thomsen (DEN), Mustonen (FIN), Mu Tresarrieu (FRA), Doyle (AUS)
Standings - 4 heats to go
Denmark look in charge of this semi-final ahead of the nominated heats. Britain led Sweden by 11 points at this stage yesterday and went on to secure the meeting at the first opportunity in heat 17. Finland lead France on countback.
- 1. Denmark - 37 (8)
- 2. Australia - 31 (6)
- =3. Finland - 14 (4)
- =3. France - 14 (3)
Heat 16: Lahti (FIN), Lidsey (AUS), Bellego (FRA), Michelsen (DEN)
For the second race in a row the Australian got bounced out on the opening turn as Timo Lahti got there on the inside. Sub Jaimon Lidsey still managed to gain a point on Mikkel Michelsen in third but that's an opportunity missed for Australia.
Heat 15: Pedersen (DEN), Mustonen (FIN), J Holder (AUS), Berge (FRA)
How did Holder survive that?!? He was kicked out by the fast-starting Pedersen at the first turn and tried to thread the needle between Dimitri Berge and Jesse Mustonen twice, he ended up third behind Berge and drops two crucial points to Denmark.
Heat 14: Mustonen (FIN), J Holder (AUS), Thomsen (DEN), Goret (FRA)
The lead continues to narrow. Australia played their tactical sub to good effect, once again Jack Holder never looked like losing. But Anders Thomsen did good damage limitation work, slipping past substitute Jesse Mustonen to secure second. Third place Mustonen goes back-to-back as he's in heat 15 alongside Holder.
Heat 13: Lidsey (AUS), Bellego (FRA), Vuolas (FIN), Madsen (DEN)
Huuuuuge win for Australia. Jaimon Lidsey dominated the heat, while Leon Madsen had to battle from the back to secure second from substitute David Bellego. The Aussies still trail by 6 - will we see Lidsey or Jack Holder replace Jason Doyle in heat 14?
Standings - 8 heats to go
Denmark are looking more and more dominant in tonight's proceedings, the battle for third continues to yo-yo between Finland and France at the conclusion of the second block of heats. A this point in yesterday's semi-final, Great Britain led Sweden 26-21.
- 1. Denmark - 29 (10 points in block)
- 2. Australia - 22 (6)
- 3. France - 11 (6)
- 4. Finland - 10 (2)
Heat 12: Doyle (AUS), Berge (FRA), Madsen (DEN), Lahti (FIN)
LEON MADSEN WHAT A MOVE!!! He was stuck behind Jason Doyle and the fast-starting Dimitri Berge early on but after putting huge pressure on the Frenchman he was able to stick a double move entering the third lap to take the lead. Holder inexplicably slipped to third, meaning Australia are now in tactical substitute range - will we see Holder or Lidsey given another ride?
Heat 11: Bellego (FRA), Thomsen (DEN), Mustonen (FIN), Lidsey (AUS)
Exhilarating stuff from Jaimon Lidsey, he's the smallest-name rider in the Australian team but he's been lighting up the evening so far. He lost out to Anders Thomsen at the start but must've ridden twice as far as the Dane on the remaining three laps as he tried to force his way past. David Bellego got the best start but ended up third.
Heat 10: J Holder (AUS), Ms Tresarrieu (FRA), Michelsen (DEN), Vuolas (FIN)
Though not captain, Jack Holder needs to lead his team here and he finally came good with a battling win against Mikkel Michelsen. He just squeezed the Dane out on the back straight of the opening lap but holds on for three valuable points, Antti Vuolas tried to sneak up the inside but had to settle for third. It's no points for French reserve Mathias Tresarrieu on his first ride of the night.
Furious Phil
Race director Phil Morris was furious with the Australian mechanics there. It took an age for Fricke's bike to be checked over after the crash on the second re-run and the front wheel to get changed, and Morris was close to losing his patience and forcing Fricke out on his second bike.
Heat 9: Berge (FRA), Lahti (FIN), Jensen (DEN), Fricke (AUS)
After all that, it's France's first win of the night!!! Dimitri Berge has been their standout so far and he wins as the tactical substitute with a quarter of the straight clear behind him. Max Fricke, the only rider originally on the heat card, was never really in the race after failing a cutback at the first turn and Danish reserve Rasmus Jensen made him pay beating Timo Lahti to third on the photo finish.
First re-run: Red lights on again! Max Fricke went down on the outside of the first corner after contact with Dimitri Berge, it's all four riders back for the third running of the heat.
First running: Timo Lahti inched forward a couple of times before getting a lightning-quick start - too quick as it turns out, it's called back and Lahti recieves a warning.
"He's a bit slow this guy"
Race director Phil Morris is providing the entertainment during the break, criticising the tractor driver grading the track between heats as 'too slow' and advising him to stop stopping. This is thrilling stuff, who needs action on the bikes?
Standings after heat 8:
Block two started well for Australia but Denmark ended it by extending their lead. There's three changes coming up in heat 9 so stay tuned for that...
- 1. Denmark - 19 (9 points in block)
- 2. Australia - 16 (8)
- 3. Finland - 8 (5)
- 4. France - 5 (2)
Vuolas: It's different when there's world champions behind
My new favourite rider, the bespectacled Antti Vuolas, was talking about his heat 6 win ahead of world champions Nicki Pedersen and Jason Doyle:
It's always different when you know there's world champions behind you but you don't know it when you're racing, you only realise after. You don't let anyone past you, no matter who it is."
Heat 8: Thomsen (DEN), J Holder (AUS), Lahti (FIN), Mu Tresarrieu (FRA)
Timo Lahti once again got the jump early on but elected to run out wide, opening the door for Anders Thomsen and Jack Holder to slide through. And that's the order they finished in, quite a dull heat in truth - so dull this summary was posted by the start of the last lap.
Heat 7: Fricke (AUS), Madsen (DEN), Goret (FRA), Mustonen (FIN)
Perfect from Madsen, he got a great getaway and was able to cut off the similarly fast-starting Max Fricke. There was a fantastic battle for third that Jesse Mustonen won, moving Finland two points ahead of France.
Heat 6: Vuolas (FIN), Pedersen (DEN), Doyle (AUS), Bellego (FRA)
Much better from Antti Vuolas, forced into back-to-back races he got the jump at the start and resisted the pressure of four world championships between Nicki Pedersen and Jason Doyle behind to hold onto the win. Vuolas is also the only rider here tonight wearing glasses, so who better to root for? David Bellego looked good in his first heat but he brings up the rear this time.
Heat 5: Michelsen (DEN), Lidsey (Aus), Berge (FRA), Vuolas (FIN)
Jaimon Lidsey is on fire in Poland. Lidsey and Dmitri Berge arrived together but Berge was forced out wide, which kicked Antti Vuolos even wider and effectively ended his race early. Mikkel Michelsen was third meaning Denmark and Australia are tied at the top of the standings.
Rider change already
Finland aren't messing around, they're tied with France after the first block of heats and Antti Vuolas has been subbed in for Tero Aarnio for heat 5. A reminder, teams can make a tactical substitution when they're 6 points behind the leader but each rider can only make six appearances on the night overall.
Heats 17-20 are nominated rides, with managers given free reign over rider selection and the last-placed team announcing first.
Heat 4 standings:
Denmark got off to a lightning start, it's only manager-rider Nicki Pedersen who let the side down coming home without a win. Awkward...
- 1. Denmark - 10
- 2. Australia - 8
- =3. Finland - 3
- =3. France - 3
Heat 4: Goret (FRA), Lahti (FIN), Lidsey (AUS), Pedersen (DEN)
What a heat! Jaimon Lidsey got the fastest start but ran so deep into the first turn and couldn't make up the ground to Timo Lahti. The Finn looked on course for the win until Lidsey swooped past on the last lap in a huge two-point gain for Australia as Nicki Pedersen drops to third.
Heat 3: Mustonen (FIN), Michelsen (DEN), Mu Tresarrieu (FRA), Doyle (AUS)
Australia aren't giving up lightly! Jason Doyle tried a mean cutback on the first corner but was halted by Mikkel Michelsen on the inside who picks up Denmark's third win from three. Jesse Mustonen scores Finland's first points of the night due to a bike problem for Mathieu (not his nephew Mathias, who's France's reserve tonight) Tresarrieu.
Heat 2: Berge (FRA), Vuolas (FIN), Fricke (AUS), Thomsen (DEN)
Good start from Dmitri Berge, but it's Anders Thomsen who swoops from the outside to take a lead he'd never surrender. It was surprising to see Max Fricke out the back early on, he was able to bully his way past Antti Vuolos for third though.
Heat 1: Madsen (DEN), Bellego (FRA), Aarnio (FIN), J Holder (Aus)
That's set the tone for the evening! Leon Madsen and Jack Holder had a great tussle through the opening lap after a fantastic start by the Australian, but it's Madsen who was able to take the inside line into the final corner and hold the lead. David Bellego looked like he could mix it at the first turn but was dropped by the lead pair and finishes third.
Semi-final 2 storylines
On paper it looks like Australia and Denmark are the favourites to automatically qualify for the final, the Danes feature team manager Nicki Pedersen who selected himself for the team! Meanwhile France and Finland will hope to spring a surprise or at least join Sweden and the Czech Republic in the run-off on Friday - a reminder that second and third place in this semi-final qualify for that.
Semi-final 1 recap
Dan Bewley helped fire Great Britain to a dominant win in semi-final 1, he only dropped a point to help his team beat Sweden by 11 points. The first block of fixtures saw gate 1 dominate, responsible for three out of four heat wins. But it equalised from there, and hopefully things will be more competitive from the start tonight.
The best battle was between the Czech Republic and Germany for the final spot in the runoff, the Czechs triumphed by a single point thanks to Vaclav Milik's second place in the final heat.
10 minutes to go...
It's just ten minutes to go until the tapes go up on heat 1 and the excitement's building in Wroclaw! We hope you stay with us throughout but if you also want to watch the racing as it unfolds, all of the action is live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Hello and welcome!
Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, depending on where you're watching in the world! The second Speedway World Cup semi-final of 2023 is coming up shortly and you can follow the action live here.
How does it all work?
- There are two semi-finals and the winner of each joins last year's winners Poland in the four-team final. The remaining place is filled in a run-off from the losing semi-finalists. Great Britain have already qualified from their semi-final to make Saturday's showpiece.
- Each team is composed of five riders – four starters and a reserve at No. 5.
- Each rider can take a maximum of six rides – five regular rides plus one tactical substitute ride.
- No. 5 riders can replace any of their teammates in a heat at any time, taking a maximum of six rides – five regular rides plus one tactical substitute ride.
- Tactical substitutions are allowed when a team is six or more points behind the leading nation. Each rider can only take ONE tactical substitute ride. Tactical substitutions must stop if a team moves within five points or less of the leading nation.
- The line-ups for heats 17 to 20 are nominated by the team managers, with the team manager of the fourth-placed country selecting first and the manager of the leading nation nominating last.
Runners and riders
Australia have a strong team that features Max Fricke alongside skipper Jason Doyle.
- Australia: Jason Doyle (C), Max Fricke, Jack Holder, Jaimon Lidsey, Chris Holder (R)
- Denmark: Mikkel Michelsen (C), Nicki Pedersen, Anders Thomsen, Leon Madsen, Rasmus Jensen (R)
- France: David Bellego (C), Dimitri Berge, Steven Goret, Mathieu Tresarrieu, Mathias Tresarrieu (R)
- Finland: Timo Lahti (C), Jesse Mustonen, Antti Vuolas, Timi Salonen, Niklas Sayrio (R)
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Stream the 2023 Speedway World Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+
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