SWINDON Robins skipper Jason Doyle says it is a ‘wonderful feeling’ to lead Australia into this weekend’s Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations in Poland, writes NIGEL PEARSON.

Doyle is joined by fellow Grand Prix star Max Fricke in the Australian side for what is effectively a pairs competition, with Belle Vue’s newly crowned World Under-21 Champion Jaimon Lidsey at reserve.

The tournament takes place in Lublin, Poland, over Friday and Saturday night.

Great Britain are without skipper Tai Woffinden with a hand injury and have selected European Champion Robert Lambert and youngster Drew Kemp, with Dan Bewley as the Under-21 rider.

Australia and Great Britain will take on host nation Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and the Czech Republic.

Ahead of the Speedway of Nations, Doyle said: “It’s always a great honour to race for your country and we’ll all give it our best.

“Even more, it’s a wonderful feeling for me to be captain of my country, it means so much to me.

“Max and Jaimon are in good form too so we’re going into the meetings in pretty good shape.

“It would be amazing if we could win gold for Australia and we’ll be pushing each other on.

“I’m looking forward to two nights of great racing and hopefully by Saturday night we’ll be coming away with a medal.

“I’ve got an individual world title under my belt and I’d love a team title for my country.”

Both meetings will be shown live on BT Sport in the UK with racing starting at 6pm.