The line-ups for the 2021 Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations Semi-Finals in Daugavpils on September 17 and 18 have been revealed as the ultimate test of team riding returns.
Poland, Sweden and Denmark have all been drawn into a stacked Semi-Final 1 on Friday, September 17 as three speedway superpowers with 15 FIM Speedway World Cups between them bid for places in the Monster Energy SON Final in Manchester on October 16 and 17.
They are joined in the meeting by 2020 finalists, the Czech Republic, plus the USA, Slovenia and Finland.
Hosts Latvia take their place in Semi-Final 2, which sees them come up against reigning champions, the Motorcycle Federation of Russia.
Their national heroes FIM Speedway Grand Prix world title contender Artem Laguta and double European champion Emil Sayfutdinov have won all three Monster Energy SON world championships since the competition was launched in 2018 and will hope to make it No.4 in Manchester.
They will be determined to deliver a big performance in neighbouring Latvia as they also take on 2019 SON bronze medal winners Australia, Germany, France, the Ukraine and Italy.
The top two teams after 21 heats in each Semi-Final will automatically join hosts Great Britain in the Monster Energy FIM SON Final in Manchester.
The third and fourth-placed countries in each Semi-Final will then face off in the Final Qualifier, with the teams that triumph also taking their places at Manchester's National Speedway Stadium.
Tickets for the Monster Energy SON Semi-Finals will be on sale soon.