2005 Grand Prix and World Cup details.

Commenting on the announcement, John Postlethwaite, Chief Executive, BSI, said:

"The five permanent riders picked themselves. Both Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen won GP's this year and Lee Richardson has also been on the podium. Scott Nicholls had a torrid year of injuries yet still managed to finish twelfth. Ryan Sullivan did not find his form that saw him finish inside the top ten last year and third in 2002. This is why we have the permanent wild cards so that riders like Sullivan have a second chance to make their mark on the championship."

"All of these riders have also shown their commitment, drive and determination to be part of the world championship."

FIM Race Director Ole Olsen added: "Congratulations to the riders who have made the 2005 Series. All 15 riders for the 2005 season are capable of winning a Grand Prix or the world championship. With this line-up we will see hugely exciting racing next year."

The provisional calendar has also been announced today and confirmation of the provisional dates and venues is expected before the end of November.

The riders to contest nest season's GP are: Jason Crump, Tony Rickardsson, Greg Hancock, Leigh Adams, Nicki Pedersen, Thomasz Gollob, Andreas Jonsson, Jarek Hampel, Hans Andersen, Bjarne Pedersen, Lee Richardson, Scott Nicholls, Ryan Sullivan, Antonio Lindback and Tomasz Chrzanawski.

The "qualified reserves" are Kenneth Bjerre, Peter Karlsson, Stefan Andersson, Damien Balinski, Roman Povazhny and Bo Brhel.

If a permanent rider of the Grand Prix Series is injured and cannot compete in a round of the Series their place will be taken by one of the Track Reserves. Consideration for this place will be give to former Grand Prix riders who have missed out on a place in 2005 or to a local rider.

The provisional race calendar is:
30 April - Poland
14 May - Sweden
28 May - Slovenia
1 June - Great Britain
25 June - Denmark
Other dates (venues to be confirmed) are 9 July, 13 August, 27 August, 10 September, 24 September. 9th July and 24th September are "interchangeable." A Grand Prix will be held on one of these dates, this will be confirmed by the end of November.

The team world championship - the FIM Speedway World Cup - will take place in three different countries. Great Britain hosts the opening round on Sunday 31 July. Round two will be staged in Sweden on Tuesday 02 August with the Race -Off and Final taking place in Poland on Thursday 04 August and Saturday 06 August respectively. Venues will be confirmed by the end of November.