FIM SPEEDWAY: STEAD STEPS DOWN
Double FIM Speedway of Nations World Champion Simon Stead has stepped down as joint Great Britain team manager, leaving Oliver Allen in sole charge for the 2026 FIM Speedway World Cup.
Stead and Allen joined forces to end the Lions’ 32-year wait for a world team title when they led the side to 2021 SON glory in Manchester, before repeating the feat at the National Speedway Stadium in 2024.
They also won SON silver at Vojens in 2022 and came within seconds of 2023 SWC victory in Wroclaw, when Poland dramatically denied them gold on the final lap of a last-heat decider.
Stead will continue to manage British Premiership side Sheffield, but admits he is keen to spend more time with his family after a sensational six seasons in the hotseat alongside Allen.
He said: “It has been the most incredible journey to be part of the Great Britain team. To work with my close friend Olly and enjoy so much success has been so rewarding in so many ways. There have been so many highs during the past six years. Those are memories I will never forget.
“It’s such a difficult decision to step down. But at this moment, it’s important for me to spend more time at home with my wife Amy and sons Chester and Jude.
“I already have a full-time job plus working as Sheffield’s team manager. The Great Britain job is mainly abroad, which means so much time away from home. It’s the right decision for my family and that’s all that matters. I’ll always be there for GB and Olly.”
Stead admits there have been highs and lows in a spell, which has seen the team enjoy their greatest run of success in the 21st century – halting over three decades of hurt following England’s 1989 FIM Speedway World Team Cup win in Bradford.
He said: “Obviously winning the Speedway of Nations in Manchester in 2021 was one of the greatest moments I’ve had in the sport. To finally end that drought for the country was a very special feeling.
“It was a very similar moment in 2024 in Manchester. It was such a dramatic final and to get a second gold medal meant the world to me. To do it again three years later proved how good we were. To become the most successful nation since the pandemic was a fantastic achievement.
“There were obviously heartbreaking moments as well. Losing the final in 2022 in Vojens and the final race in the World Cup in 2023 were really hard to take.
“On reflection I have a lot of pride in our progression as a force to be reckoned with during that time and for the future. It has also been massively rewarding to see Robert (Lambert) and Dan (Bewley) continue to mature into world-class riders. Tai (Woffinden) has been a constant inspiration to the entire team. Then we’ve seen the likes of Tom (Brennan) come through and so many new young talents on the brink of hitting the big time.
“I’d like to thank each and every rider for their commitment to the national team. It has been a pleasure to work with them all for six years. I also have to thank (GB managing director) Rob Painter and Vicky Blackwell for putting their faith in me. They have been a joy to work with as well. Equally a big thanks to Neil Vatcher, Jeremy Holt, Chris Neville, Steve Williams, Steve Hone, Sam Dennington and Taylor Lanning. We have been a close-knit team.
“I’m sure Olly will carry on with the same success rate and that starts with the World Cup in Landshut on May 1 and hopefully in Warsaw. I will definitely be cheering on the boys from home.”
Allen paid tribute to Stead for his role in the team’s success as he prepares to take sole command for GB’s SWC Semi-Final date with hosts Germany, Czech Republic and Ukraine in Landshut on May 1. The winners join hosts Poland, 2025 SON world champions Australia and the Semi-Final 2 victors at the PZM FIM SWC Final at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy on August 29.
Allen said: “I’m obviously gutted because it has been one of the best experiences to work for your country with your best mate. But Simon wants to put his family first and that’s the right decision, 100 percent. I will still talk to him on a regular basis about the Great Britain team. He’s an amazing confidante and will remain that way always.
“The show goes on for Great Britain. It’s still the same setup really. It will be a seamless transition before we get to Landshut on May 1.”
