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| Ryan Douglas Optimistic About Australia's Speedway World Cup Chances in Warsaw |
Australian rider Ryan Douglas is confident his team can deliver a stellar performance—even without Speedway GP star Jack Holder—as they vie for gold at the FIM BOLL Speedway World Cup Final in Warsaw at PGE Narodowy Stadium this Saturday.
The "Kangaroo" team qualified for this major 2026 event after defeating all rivals to claim the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations title in Toruń last October.
In Warsaw, Douglas will race alongside world number two Brady Kurtz. The Australian squad is further bolstered by former Polish Speedway GP (Warsaw) winners Jason Doyle and Max Fricke, as well as Rohan Tungate, who has already secured his spot in the 2027 Speedway GP series.
Australia's hopes of clinching their first World Cup title since 2002 have been hampered by the absence of Jack Holder—the 2025 Warsaw Speedway GP winner. Holder was forced to withdraw following a crash during the DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Poland in Wrocław on June 20.
However, Douglas refuses to let that dampen the team's spirits. He remains optimistic that Australia can outperform hosts Poland, Denmark, and Great Britain in the battle for the title.
"Losing Jack is certainly a huge blow. He knows that track inside out and is one of the best riders in the world. But with the squad we have now, I see no reason why we can't win," said Douglas.
"A few weeks ago, we competed in a test match and beat Poland. That’s clear proof that we are on their level."
"It will all come down to race day. There are four strong teams competing, so whoever performs perfectly on the day will emerge as the champion. I didn't come here chasing silver or bronze. Our goal is clear: to go home with the gold." “I’m really excited. There are bound to be some thrilling, tight races. I just hope I can perform at my best and do my country proud.”
This event marks Douglas’s debut representing Australia in the Speedway World Championship, and he is eager to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.
“It feels amazing. I can’t wait. It’s sure to be an invaluable experience. For an Australian rider, this is a huge opportunity. I always dreamed of competing in the World Cup, and now that dream is coming true. I feel incredibly proud and happy,” he said.
Douglas’s performance has been on the rise since he left the British league to join the Poznan club in Poland’s top tier—the Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga—starting in the 2024 season. He currently tops the points-average standings with 2.407 points per race and is determined to keep that positive momentum going.
“It’s been three years since I got the chance to join Poznan. In my first year, I finished fourth in the points-average rankings—which probably surprised a lot of people. They might have thought, ‘He won’t be able to keep that form up!’ But I proved I could. Last season I moved up to third, and now I’m leading the standings this season. It proves I’m continuing to develop and improve.”
“Having reached the top of this league, I’m now looking toward the next challenge. It feels great. Competing in the World Cup this weekend alongside the world’s best riders is an honor. I hope I can show that I’m capable of competing with them.”
“This is a valuable experience, and I’m going to embrace it wholeheartedly. I’ll give it 100 percent. Whatever the final result—whether it’s a win or a lesson—I’ll accept it graciously.”
“I know my preparation has been solid. I’m in top form right now, so I’ll give it everything I’ve got. Whatever the outcome, it will be the best I could possibly do.”
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