Slater Lightcap, 20, of Huntington Beach, California, has been awarded a wild-card allocation into the 2026 FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship (SGP2), marking the first time in the series’ history that a rider from the United States has earned a place in the championship. The FIM has never previously granted the USA a wild-card allocation since the series began in 1995.
The SGP2 World Championship features a three-round calendar running from July through September 2026. The 16-rider field was set following qualifying rounds held in Pardubice, Czechia; Krsko, Slovenia; and Fjelsted, Denmark, and includes international talents such as Mikkel Andersen, Maksymilian Pawelczak and Adam “Bubba” Bednar, alongside a select group of wild-card entries.
Lightcap’s wild-card allocation comes after AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and four-time FIM Speedway World Champion Greg Hancock has assumed a volunteer leadership role in AMA Speedway efforts. Hancock, who has advised the AMA’s Speedway program since early 2025, has worked to support young American riders pursuing qualification to SGP, SGP2, SGP3 and SGP4 finals, including acquiring motorcycles for the SGP3 and SGP4 programs, securing mechanics and training facilities in Europe, and establishing a workshop in Sweden to serve as a European base for the American Program.
“This is a great moment for Slater Lightcap and for American Speedway,” said AMA Speedway Team USA Manager Greg Hancock. “Thank you to the FIM for giving the USA their very first wild-card allocation, and we are proud of Slater and all the hard work, time and effort he put in over the last 12 months to earn this spot.”
Lightcap has been a fixture on the SGP2 circuit in recent seasons, previously competing as a series substitute before securing this year’s historic wild-card place. He will represent the United States across all three rounds of the 2026 championship.
The first round took place over the July 18-19 weekend in Sweden, where Lightcap finished in sixth place.CN
