Sullivan gains a world speedway reprieve

Australia will maintain its three-rider representation in the 2005 Speedway World Championship, with news that Ryan Sullivan has been awarded a 'permanent' wildcard position by the FIM.

Sullivan finished a lacklustre 13th in the 2004 championship, which in past years would still have guaranteed the 29-year-old direct entry into another battle. However, in light of the new championship structure in 2005 -- only 16 riders will compete at each round instead of 24 -- only the top eight from 2004 were guaranteed direct entry.

That left Sullivan's fate to the hands of the FIM Speedway Commission, which subsequently endorsed the credentials of the reigning Aussie champion. Sullivan was one of five to receive a permanent wildcard position, with the others including Danish countrymen Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen, and British duo Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson.

Recently crowned world champion Jason Crump and Leigh Adams will be the other Aussies in the 2005 championship, with the full list of qualified and reserve riders as follows:

-Motorcycling Australia