The 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations (SON) commences in Poland on September 30, with 15 teams vying to win the electrifying pairs tournament – including a star-studded Motorcycling Australia lineup.

Brady Kurtz, coming off a golden five-race winning streak to see out the 2025 Speedway Grand Prix (SGP) series, will be partnered by Jack Holder in semi-final 2 on October 1, with Jason Doyle the reserve – but able to be called upon at any time during the 21-heat program by team manager Mark Lemon.

Australia faces the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Ukraine and tournament debutant Argentina in semi-final 2, while semi-final 1 on September 29 features defending champion Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.

The top three countries from each semi-final progress to the final on October 4, where they will be joined by host nation Poland.

Brady Kurtz leads the way in the final 2025 Speedway Grand Prix round in Denmark

Holder and Kurtz, both 29, have competed as teammates and rivals since their junior days Down Under and took Australia to FIM SON silver in Manchester last year, while Doyle won the 2022 SON alongside Holder.

Holder says it’s special to see all three of them starring on the world stage two decades after they first started racing together.

“It is pretty crazy. Back in our junior days, Max or Brady went over to Europe first. I had to stay and finish my carpentry apprenticeship, which kind of sucked at the time,” said Holder.

“I thought I was maybe a little bit behind, but when I got my chance, I soon caught up and it’s cool to see we’re all racing at the highest level. We started together at nine or 10 years old.

“All three of us were good riders. Back in the junior days, we were quite dominant. It was always us three in the finals. We all had our goals to get over here and do what we are doing. It is crazy when you think back and look at how many finals we have been in together.”

The Aussies have shown a real talent for team riding, and Holder admits their ability to put egos to the side makes all the difference in a format where avoiding last places is crucial.

“We’re just not too worried about the scoresheet,” he continued.

“Whatever is best for the team is what matters – whether we are first or second, it doesn’t matter who wins the race. We’re just as happy as each other. We are racing for our country and don’t really look into who beats who – as long as we are first and second. That’s the main goal.”

Jack Holder at the 2024 SON in Manchester

In the FIM SON semi-finals and final, all seven countries meet each other over 21 heats. There will be four points on offer to a race winner, three for second, two for third and zero points for finishing last, failing to finish or being disqualified.

Team Australia’s strongest opposition in its semi-final will be from Denmark, led by formidable starting duo Leon Madsen and Michael Jepsen Jensen and managed by the feisty Nicki Pedersen, who was a thorn in many Aussies’ sides during his illustrious SGP and teams’ career.

Based on form and pedigree, both teams should progress to the final comfortably, while Great Britain and Sweden are the standouts in tonight’s semi-final 1.

SON2 (U21)
It’s also SON2 time for the world’s catalogue of under 21 stars, with Motorcycling Australia to be represented by Mitchell McDiarmid and Tate Zischke. James Pearson is the reserve (and captain) – but like Doyle he can also be called up any time by Lemon.

Eight teams will participate in the one-off 27-heat event in Poland, with Australia joined by the host nation as well as Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Latvia.

The SON and SON2 will both be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo at the following times:

  • SON semi-final 1: 2:45am AEST Wednesday, October 1
  • SON semi-final 2 (Australia): 2:45am AEST Thursday, October 2
  • SON2 final (Australia): 2:45am AEST Saturday, October 4
  • SON final: 3:30am AEDT Sunday, October 5

Team Australia’s 2025 SON and SON2 campaigns are being backed by long-time sponsor CBS Bins, as well as A1 Accessory Imports/House of Powersports.

Australia’s victorious 2022 SON team

FIM SON SEMI-FINAL STARTING LINE-UPS
SEMI-FINAL 1: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

  • ITALY: 1. Nicolas Covatti (captain), 2. Nicolas Vicentin, 3. Nicolo Percotti. Team Manager: Alessandro Dalla Valle.
  • GERMANY: 1. Norick Blodorn, 2. Kai Huckenbeck (captain), 3. Valentin Grobauer. Team Manager: Mathias Bartz / Sascha Dorner
  • NORWAY: 1. Mathias Pollestad (captain), 2. Glenn Moi, 3. Lasse Fredriksen. Team Manager: Kenneth Klipper Smith.
  • LATVIA: 1. Andzejs Lebedevs (captain), 2. Jevgenijs Kostigovs, 3. Daniils Kolodinskis. Team Manager: Vladimirs Vagels.
  • SWEDEN: 1. Jacob Thorssell, 2. Fredrik Lindgren (captain), 3. Timo Lahti. Team Manager: Linus Sundstrom.
  • GREAT BRITAIN: 1. Robert Lambert (captain), 2. Dan Bewley, 3. Tom Brennan. Team Manager: Simon Stead / Oliver Allen.
  • SLOVENIA: 1. Matic Ivacic (captain), 2. Anze Grmek, 3. Luka Omerzel. Team Manager: Gregor Arnsek.

SEMI-FINAL 2: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1

  • CZECH REPUBLIC: 1. Vaclav Milik, 2. Jan Kvech (captain), 3. Adam Bubba Bednar. Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind.
  • DENMARK: 1. Leon Madsen, 2. Michael Jepsen Jensen, 3. Mikkel Michelsen (captain). Team Manager: Nicki Pedersen.
  • ARGENTINA: 1. Fernando Garcia (captain), 2. Cristian Zubillaga, 3. Facundo Albin. Team Manager: Claudio Schmit.
  • AUSTRALIA: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Jack Holder (captain), 3. Jason Doyle. Team Manager: Mark Lemon.
  • UKRAINE: 1. Nazar Parnitskyi, 2. Marko Levishyn (captain), 3. Roman Kapustin. Team Manager: Sergii Golovnia.
  • FRANCE: 1. Dimitri Berge, 2. David Bellego (captain), 3. Mathias Tresarrieu. Team Manager: Laurent Sambarrey.
  • FINLAND: 1. Jesse Mustonen (captain), 2. Antti Vuolas, 3. Tero Aarnio. Team Manager: Aki-Pekka Mustonen.

2025 FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS – SON2 STARTING LINE-UPS:

  • POLAND: 1. Wiktor Przyjemski (captain), 2. Damian Ratajczak, 3. Antoni Kawczynski. Team Manager: Rafal Dobrucki.
  • GREAT BRITAIN: 1. Dan Thompson (captain), 2. Luke Harrison, 3. Luke Killeen. Team Manager: Neil Vatcher.
  • AUSTRALIA: 1. Mitchell McDiarmid, 2. Tate Zischke, 3. James Pearson (captain). Team Manager: Mark Lemon.
  • GERMANY: 1. Norick Blodorn (captain), 2. Jonny Wynant, 3. Mario Hausl. Team Managers: Sascha Dorner / Mathias Bartz.
  • DENMARK: 1. Bastian Pedersen (captain), 2. Mikkel Andersen, 3. Villads Nagel. Team Manager: Hans Andersen.
  • CZECH REPUBLIC: 1. Adam Bubba Bednar (captain), 2. Jan Jenicek, 3. Jaroslav Vanicek. Team Manager: Zdenek Schneiderwind.\
  • SWEDEN: 1. Casper Henriksson (captain), 2. Rasmus Karlsson, 3. Erik Persson. Team Manager: Linus Sundstrom.
  • LATVIA: 1. Nikita Kaulins (captain), 2. Artjoms Juhno, 3. Damirs Filimonovs. Team Manager: Vladimirs Vagels.