Less than 2 months to go to the premier event on the 2003 cycle speedway calendar - the World Cycle Speedway Championships - in Manchester on the weekend 1st - 3rd August. For the first time ever, the championships will be staged in the North of England, and the promoting Astley & Tyldesley and Bury clubs have been busy in their preparations since the championships were allocated in Autumn 2001.

As the sport expands internationally, so do people's expectations and the organisers are determined to provide a real festive occasion, with social events to supplement the top class sporting action, which will be remembered for all the right reasons.

For the first time, there will be an American rider, Chad White, competing in the Individual Championships. Although the USA do not feel ready to enter a team at this stage, this marks the start of what is sure to be a strong American presence in future championships. This will add to the established competing teams of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Poland and Australia in international competitions.

Australia have already announced their squad, which will consist of: Joe Clarke (Findon); Robert Fleming (LeFevre); Daniel Pudney (LeFevre); Jack Spear (Findon); Neil Toye (Findon). Traditionally, they have proved to be tough opposition, and after the ever improving Poles, are likely to provide the biggest threat to England's unbeaten record in the World Team Cup.

The weekend will comprise of both Individual and Team competitions. The outline format is:

Friday 1st August - World Individual Qualifying Rounds - Astley & Tyldesley and Bury.

Saturday 2nd August - World Team Cup - Astley & Tyldesley.

Sunday 3rd August - World Individual Semi-Finals and Final - Bury.

If you're a committed cyclist, but have never seen Cycle Speedway before, then this is the ideal opportunity to sample what is bound to be an exciting, cut and thrust weekend of the very best of cycle speedway. Watch this space for further updates nearer to the championships.