Woffinden tipped to shine

Woffinden made a stunning debut in last year's World Cup, becoming at 17 the competition's youngest ever race winner on his way to nine points in the race-off as Britain failed to reach the final.

That performance at Vojens, Denmark, came under Lyon's predecessor as team manager, Jim Lynch.

But Lyon, who will be overseeing a two-day squad get-together shortly, is placing the accent on youth and has Woffinden down as one to watch.

He also manages at King's Lynn and nearly had the rider under his wing there on loan from Wolves, before he plumped for Rye House instead.

The manager said: "Tai is a tremendous talent. I know him very well. He's a nice lad, very focused on what he wants to be. There's no question, he's got it and he hasn't just got it on the track - he's got the right mindset.

"He's a prime example of the kids that are coming through. We need to make sure we look after these kids. We need to make sure we keep them focused on the right track, individually and collectively as a team for Great Britain.

"He is the future. And he is the immediate future as well, without a doubt. I think that showed in the World Cup last year."

Lyon is all too well aware that Britain have not lifted the trophy since 1989. While his immediate goal is a place in this summer's final at Leszno, Poland he has long-term targets too.

He said: "In the short term the objective is to get the boys in a positive frame of mind, working as a team,. I think by doing that it will ultimately give us a lot more success."