RACE WEEK - GB ANNOUNCE GLOBAL CHALLENGE TEAM LINE UP

The national team face the USA in a much-anticipated clash in Bakersfield on February 1.

Allen and joint boss Simon Stead have picked World Cup runners-up from 2023 Dan Bewley, Tom Brennan and Adam Ellis. They are joined by four up-and-coming kids Leon Flint, Dan Thompson, Jordan Jenkins and Ashton Boughen.

Allen said: “I think opportunities like this are not just about the racing. It’s about the riders being out of their comfort zone, flying out on their own, without their usual mechanics.

“The riders need to stand on their own two feet, away from parents, that’s all part of learning.

“It’s exactly what we want to be about. We want to think about the future.

“We do the best we can to develop the riders who are showing the right traits. Those young riders have been rewarded with a test match in the USA.

“I look at this team and I’m really excited to manage them for one match.

“I’m also excited to spend some time with those boys. It will be good for me to learn a bit more about them on and off the track.

“When I was younger I was fortunate that Simon (Stead) and I did Ivan Mauger’s tour in Australia. Those opportunities don’t exist like they used to.”

Allen is delighted that he will get the chance to bond with the younger riders. For Jenkins, Thompson and Boughen it will be their first proper test match on foreign soil.

He added: “Tom remains a really good example for the next generation.

“When Simon and I first took over he showed the right attitude. We gave him every opportunity we could and he took them all.

“He’s consistently had the right attitude and I feel that has helped him being part of the Great Britain team. Promoters all round Europe have then seen him, that has also helped his progression.

“We want to do that again and again with the next generation of riders.

“It will be good for us to spend some time together as a team.

“I love the Speedway of Nations, I love having a week together with the boys.

“This will be similar, we will have five or six days together and it will be great.

“We’ve taken a strong team that is also looking towards the future.

“Ashton, Dan and Jordan should be able to be like a sponge and learn from Dan, Adam and Tom.

“Just a couple of years ago it was Tom learning. Now he’s stepped up a level. They can also look at his recent pathway and realise they can make the same progress if they work hard.

“It will be great to have those discussions. It’s a really positive trip and experience exercise.”

*The test match will be broadcast live by the British Speedway Network.