Team USA announces 2014 World Cup Squad. Six months after USA Team Manager Billy Hamill laid out the challenge for any interested rider in the USA to try out for the 2014 World Cup Squad, the final choices have been made and submitted to the American Motorcyclist Association to forward to the FIM and event organizers. Hamill and Team Coordinator Steve Evans have chosen nine riders plus a UK based back up reserve in their selection. It is no surprise that the five European based Americans, Greg Hancock, Ryan Fisher, Ricky Wells, Gino Manzares and Aaron Fox are the first names on the sheet. Hamill said, “Our five Americans racing in the world’s best speedway leagues are the obvious choice. Greg Hancock is very excited for the SWC and he is currently leading the World Championship. His influence on the rest of the squad and his own performances the last two years have been nothing short of incredible. Ryan Fisher is Mr. USA, and he gets so excited and steps it up when racing for his country. His performance in Prague last year was a memorable moment as his contribution helped lift us to 5th place. Ricky Wells is having his best year in England yet, making big improvements and he showed his ambition by contesting and making progress in the Grand Prix Qualifiers. Gino Manzares has impressed from the word go with Ipswich and contests the World Under 21 Finals. Aaron had the expected slow start due to lack of UK experience but his recent scores have showed that he has a good future and will be a long term team member.” The next four spots have gone to four domestically based Americans; Max Ruml, Tyson Burmeister, Billy Janniro and Austin Novratil. Hamill continued, “Max’s phenomenal progress continues – he has been making and winning Main Events, came 2nd in the Ventura National Round on a big ¼ mile track and held pace with Janniro there. Both Burmeister and Janniro have league experience and the ambition to race and contribute to USA and will be called upon if needed. Austin has made great progress this year, made the final in Ventura and has a good support team around him. He, too, has ridden close to twenty meetings in Europe in the last four years.” The final spot is given to Kings Lynn National League rider Scott Campos, who has American parentage and given his UK base and experience, will provide emergency cover if logistics call for such. Of the competition to get the spots on the squad Hamill concluded; “What seemed like a simple squad choice nine months ago became a very tough one given some stellar displays by several young and up and coming riders who did not make the list. Some have shown the form of their career and some will only get better. It’s going to be an even bigger problem next year and this is a good problem to have! American Speedway is slowly becoming quite healthy with a much deeper talent pool, and I want to personally say thank you to everyone who put their name forward as a contender. I feel we are a stronger squad than last year but equally respect our rival countries. It will be a great tournament, we are still very much the underdog, but that role seems to suit us.” USA competes in the semi finals of the Monster Energy Speedway World Cup at Kings Lynn, England on July 26th against Australia, Great Britain and the winner of a qualifying meeting this weekend in Italy. A top three place on the day will see them race in Poland on July 31st in the final stages and potentially the final on August 2nd. Four riders from the squad with be chosen as the team for each event USA races in.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:24:45 +0000