AUSTRALIA have been crowned World Champions for the first time in 24 years after powering to victory in the SWC Final in Warsaw on Saturday night.
It was an historic night in particular for 2017 World Champion Jason Doyle, who became the first rider to complete a treble of world individual, World Cup and Speedway of Nations titles. Australia made an astonishing start, taking a maximum 12 points from the opening four races, and finished their night's work on 38 points. That gave them an eight-point winning margin over runners-up Denmark (30), who pipped hosts Poland (29) to the silver medal. Great Britain were six points short of a potential bronze medal, Robert Lambert contributing 14 of the Lions' 23-point total. A jubilant Doyle said afterwards: “I am letting it sink in. It’s unbelievable. I have tried for years with Team Australia and to see us do this is something special. I have got goosebumps, and I am trying to process these emotions. It’s amazing. “Being part of this team and to do what we have done after 24 years … I feel very proud." • Don't miss this week's Speedway Star for full coverage from Warsaw – on sale on Thursday.
