Currently Americans don’t have a lot of famous names in their team and the strenght of their national team is not as good as it was in a past. We must recall that USA won 8 medals in Best Pairs World Cup history and they are in a 4th place of this tournament general classification.
United States have two gold, two silver and three bronze medals. They won their first gold medal in 1981 in Chorzów. That day USA had great duet Bruce Penhall and Bobby Schwartz. Americans were on a podium with Poles and New Zealanders.
One year later the final of this cup took place in australian Sydney on a Liverpool Speedway track and it ended in a best way for Americans. Speedway riders from America defended the champions title, and the leader of their pair was Schwartz again. That time his partner was faultless Dennis Sigalos. "Cowboys" defeated in this tournament i.a. England and Denmark.
Last gold medal for America was won 10 years later in 1992 in Lonigo. Sam Ermolenko and Ronnie Correy were fighting for a medal but it wouldn’t happen without their reserve rider help. The "ace" of their team was Greg Hancock who replaced his teammate and became a hero of this tournament. USA and England had 23 points and additional race decided who will be the winner. In this race "Grin" was competing with Gary Havelock and he was first at the finish line winning a gold medal for America!
After 20 years "Cowboys" can compete with best speedway pairs again. On 8th June in Toruń the USA team will be managed by well known for supporters Billy Hamill - great rider from the past and Greg Hancock’sfriend from a track. "Herbie" and Ryan Fisher will represent America in Eurosport Speedway Best Pairs tournament. - Many years passed since I was riding last time in Best Pairs tournament for USA. I think that the organisators did great job inviting such a good riders from around the world for this tournament - said Hancock.
Eurosport Speedway Best Pairs torunament will take place next saturday. Will Americans be able to fight with the favourites from Poland, Russia and Australia? We’ll see it on 8th June on Motoarena in Toruń!