Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs says he thrives on the pressure of racing in front of a home crowd ahead of a huge weekend of FIM Speedway action at Riga’s iconic Bikernieki track on Friday and Saturday evening.
The double European champion leads Latvia into 11.lv FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 2 – Riga on Friday, which sees the hosts take on multi-time champions Denmark and Sweden, plus tournaments debutants Norway. The winners claim the last spot in the BOLL FIM SWC Final – Warsaw on August 29 alongside hosts Poland, Australia and Great Britain.
World No.6 Lebedevs also carries the hopes of the Latvian fans into the DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga on Saturday, taking on 15 of the best riders in the world, including his compatriot, wild card Daniils Kolodinskis.
Lebedevs and Kolodinskis may be rivals on Saturday, but they will be teammates on Friday, joining Jevgenijs Kostigovs, Olegs Mihailovs and former SGP2 star Francis Gusts in the strongest Latvian team for generations.
They face a power-packed Danish side, featuring four Speedway GP winners in Michael Jepsen Jensen, Leon Madsen, Anders Thomsen and Mikkel Michelsen, plus Danish Championship runner-up Frederik Jakobsen.
The Swedes are led by world No.4 Fredrik Lindgren, who races his first FIM Speedway event since May after recovering from an ankle injury. Following an FIM clerical error, the SGP star moves to No.1 with Oliver Berntzon switching to No.4, in a change from the line-up announced on Monday. New national champion and 2027 Speedway GP rider Kim Nilsson, Timo Lahti and double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell complete the side.
The Norwegian challenge is spearheaded by former SGP2 bronze medallist Mathias Pollestad. He is joined by skipper Truls Kamhaug, Glenn Moi, Lasse Fredriksen and Magnus Klipper.
Despite the challenge facing his side, Lebedevs believes he and his team can thrive in front of a passionate Latvian crowd in Riga as they bid to reach the first FIM SWC Final in their history. He said: “A home round is always good. I am always happy when my friends are sitting in the crowd and my family is here, and I have a full stadium cheering for me. That is incredible.
“I have that for two days in a row with Team Latvia and for the GP. Hopefully we have a successful practice on Friday with Team Latvia and get a good result.
“Racing in front of a home crowd is a mixed feeling. It is pressure, but it is also a great feeling and your heart stays warm.
"I don’t know how to explain it, but you come on to the track and you feel like you’re at home. That’s what makes me smile before I come to the tapes. I don’t know how to explain it.
“When I was younger and we raced in Daugavpils, that was just pressure. Now I feel the pressure, but it’s positive pressure. I am older and I have more experience, and it really gives me positive vibes. I have enjoyed the last few years in Riga. Hopefully this year will also be great for me.
“I just hope that on Friday, everybody in Team Latvia has their day and the stars in the sky go with us and help us. The crowd could be like a sixth rider and help us. Hopefully we can put up a good fight with the rest of the teams.”
Lebedevs is currently 12th in the Speedway GP World Championship on 49 points – 15 short of the top-seven automatic qualification places for 2027.
But the Daugavpils-born racer looks likely to take his place in Speedway GP next year, even if he falls short of the top seven, as he finished fifth at the FIM SGP Challenge in Terenzano on July 25. If Challenge winner Robert Lambert, currently third in the SGP standings, remains in the top seven, the spot the Brit earned in Italy passes to Lebedevs.
After finishing sixth in the 2025 Speedway GP standings, Lebedevs was hoping to be closer to the frontrunners. The 31-year-old said: “Speedway GP is about consistency and this year I haven’t had this. Last year I was more consistent and that’s why I was No.6 in the world.
“During the winter, I said I wanted to get closer to the top riders. But I am still young I think, I am just looking forward and I still want to work on myself. I am still having fun and when I enjoy it, I push harder. When I end my career, I can say I did my best.”
2026 11.lv FIM SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL 2 – RIGA STARTING LINE-UPS:
DENMARK – RED
1. Michael Jepsen Jensen (captain)
2. Leon Madsen
3. Anders Thomsen
4. Mikkel Michelsen
5. Frederik Jakobsen
Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen
NORWAY – BLUE
1. Mathias Pollestad
2. Lasse Fredriksen
3. Glenn Moi
4. Truls Kamhaug (captain)
5. Magnus Klipper
Team Manager: Kenneth Klipper Smith
LATVIA – WHITE
1. Daniils Kolodinskis
2. Andzejs Lebedevs (captain)
3. Jevgenijs Kostigovs
4. Francis Gusts
5. Olegs Mihailovs
Team Manager: Vladimirs Vagels
SWEDEN – YELLOW
1. Fredrik Lindgren (captain)
2. Timo Lahti
3. Jacob Thorssell
4. Oliver Berntzon
5. Kim Nilsson
Team Manager: Linus Sundstrom
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RIGA FANZONE
Enjoy an afternoon of entertainment at Bikernieki ahead of 11.lv FIM Speedway World Cup Semi-Final 2 – Riga on Friday.
The fanzone will be open in the area behind bend one from 13:30 local time, and it features the official SWC autograph session, where fans can meet all 20 riders from 16:30 and get some signatures or selfies.
Win exclusive Speedway GP prizes in our quizzes on the big screen at 15:15. We will also have an interview with special VIP guests from 17:30.
Pose for a photo with the SWC trophy throughout the afternoon. Meet the Monster Energy Girls for a photo and grab a selfie with FIM Speedway mascot Speedy.
There will be a rally car simulator, the Monster Energy Rig, photo opportunities, the We Love Speedway sign, Kids Corner, food and drink stalls, the Speedway GP merchandise shop and much, much more.
The fanzone closes at 18:30 ahead of the opening ceremony at 18:45, with racing getting underway at around 19:00.
WHERE TO WATCH
Fans can catch every moment of 2026 Speedway GP and SWC action live on global broadcaster Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platforms HBO Max or discovery+. Coverage of every Speedway GP Qualifying session is also available on these platforms.
HBO Max is available across Europe, with FIM-MOTO TV providing coverage around the world.
ACROSS EUROPE: Live on HBO Max and discovery+
REST OF THE WORLD: Live on FIM-MOTO TV
BRITAIN: Live on HBO Max and TNT Sports
POLAND: Live on Eurosport 3, HBO Max and Player
SWEDEN: Live on Kanal 9 and HBO Max
DENMARK: Live on 6’eren and HBO Max
AUSTRALIA: Live on Fox Sports
GERMANY: Live on HBO Max and discovery+
ACROSS THE BALTICS: Live on Go3, TV3 Sport and HBO Max
CZECH REPUBLIC: Live on HBO Max
SLOVAKIA: Live on STVR Sport and HBO Max
USA/Canada: Live on Racer