Kurtz "incredible" feeling as Australia win World Cup
29 Aug 2026 | 20:28
AUSTRALIA captain Brady Kurtz admitted it was an “incredible” feeling as they lifted the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
The World No.2 led his side brilliant as they finished on 38 to take gold ahead of Denmark on 30, Poland 29 and Great Britain 29 at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.
But it was an all-round solid performance from Mark Lemon’s men with Ryan Douglas outstanding with 10, Jason Doyle 10 and Max Fricke on seven.
They were in control of the title after opening the meeting with four successive wins. Poland and Denmark came back at them towards the end.
But a vital win from Fricke in Heat 18 followed by second for Kurtz in the following race wrapped it up.
Kurtz clinched the crown for his country just a year after they won the Speedway of Nations title, also in Poland.
He said: “It’s been incredible. It’s always been my dream since I was five-years-old to be in the World Cup.
“To get the win being the captain is something really special that I’m always going to be remember.”
Max Fricke: “This is unbelievable. We’ve been trying so hard for such a long time. The boys were just phenomenal tonight. It was amazing with a great team atmosphere.
Jason Doyle: “Oh my God 12 years myself and Mark Lemon have been in this team and trying to win the World Cup.
“It’s finally happened. What a great team. Everyone is deserving of what they’ve done tonight. We can’t be more happy.”
Douglas said: “It was just amazing to be involved. To go out there and contribute like I did. It’s an amazing feeling, I’ll never forget it.”
Lemon said: “We were without Jack Holder and we chose these five and they didn’t let us down or their country down.
“Thanks to everyone in Australia for the hard yards, have a few cold ones for us!”
Mikkel Michelsen was excellent for the Danes with 12 while Bartosz Zmarzlik top scored for Poland with 11, but surprisingly only won one race.
Robert Lambert carried GB’s hopes as top scorer on the night with 14. Charles Wright, Adam Ellis and Leon Flint all battled hard and were always in the mix.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
