GREAT Britain team boss Neil Middleditch has called up Ben Barker and Lewis Bridger ahead of the Speedway World Cup race-off.

Middleditch confirmed the two team changes – with Craig Cook and Edward Kennett making way – minutes after the Lions had finished second to dominant Denmark in Event Two last night.

Despite another impressive performance from leading scorer Tai Woffinden, GB were unable to compete with the big-hitting favourites at King’s Lynn.

Grand Prix star Woffinden racked up 18 of GB’s 35 points but they had to settle for second best as Denmark left their rivals trailing with a winning 49-point haul.

That result saw Denmark, who scored consistently throughout their one-to-four, join hosts Czech Republic and Poland in Saturday’s final in Prague, with race-off contestants Australia, Latvia, Great Britain and Greg Hancock-inspired USA left to fight it out for the one remaining qualifying spot.

Middleditch was criticised by some supporters for his Event Two selection, particularly the controversial call to pick Kennett.

But the long-serving Pirates and Great Britain team manager has wasted no time in ringing the changes.

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo via Twitter last night, both Cook and Kennett have paid the price for managing just five points between them at Norfolk Arena.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “We have made some changes and are bringing in Ben Barker and Lewis Bridger for Prague.

“Ben Barker has ridden in the Czech league and Lewis Bridger is riding in Poland so, hopefully, he will have some fast bikes out there.”

The race-off will also see Middleditch lock horns with Pirates number one Darcy Ward, a rider he has mentored for much of his British racing career. The Australian sensation lodges with the Middleditch family at their Dorset home.

Denmark 49: Niels-Kristian Iversen 13, Nicki Pedersen 13, Michael Jepsen Jensen 12, Kenneth Bjerre 11.

Great Britain 35: Tai Woffinden 18, Chris Harris 12, Craig Cook 4, Edward Kennett 1.

USA 24: Greg Hancock 16, Ricky Wells 4, Ryan Fisher 3, Gino Manzares 1.

Sweden 18: Peter Ljung 11, Daniel Nermark 5, Dennis Andersson 2, Jonas Davidsson 0.