Tai backs Team GB boss

THE World Cup starts on Saturday and a young Team GB side is hoping to make it to the final in Leszno.

Britain boss Rob Lyon has left out Ipswich's Scott Nicholls and Lakeside's Lee Richardson for the qualifying round at Peterborough on Monday night, but one young star Tai Woffinden has given “110% backing” to Lyon for picking a young Speedway World Cup side.

The Wolves rider returns to the fold this year, after impressing on his debut season in the red, white and blue last term.

He will be joined by 2008 team-mates Chris Harris and Edward Kennett, while Lewis Bridger and Danny King make their international bows.

Many supporters have been surprised by Lyon's decision to leave former GB skipper Scott Nicholls and World Cup stalwart Lee Richardson out of their five-man side for next Monday's Event Two at Peterborough.

But Woffinden has hailed Lyon for taking such a brave step.

He said: “It's going to be tough but I think Rob has done great with picking such a young team.

“I have 110% backing behind Rob - he's a great guy and wants to do the best he can for his country.

“It's a Catch 22 situation. If he puts the young boys in and we get hammered, people will say 'why didn't you put the old boys in?'

“But if he puts the old boys in and they do badly, he'll get grief then.

“It's a no win situation and he has done what he thought was best, and good on him for doing it.

“We'll just have to wait until Peterborough to see how we go.”

Some pundits have predicted a tough World Cup for a Team GB side going through such a huge transitional period.

But Woffinden is refusing to write off his country's chances of reaching the final at Leszno on Saturday, July 18.

He added: “I'd be stupid to say we can't get through and I hope we make the final.

“Building year or not, everyone is going to give it 110% and we all want to win.”