NICKI: BRING ON POLAND IN PRAGUE
Danish star Nicki Pedersen believes his side fired a warning to Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup favourites Poland after joining them in the Final with a dominant victory in Event 2 at Kings Lynn on Monday night.
The Danes topped the rostrum on 49 points to secure a date with the Poles, who triumphed in Event 1 on Sunday, and the Czech Republic in the Final at Pragues Marketa Stadium this Saturday.
Team Great Britain bagged second spot at Kings Lynn on 35 to qualify for the Race Off, which will also take place in Prague, on Thursday. The winners of that round complete the Final four.
The United States also line up in that meeting for the first time since 2006 after finishing third on 24 points to send injury-ravaged Sweden crashing out of the Monster Energy SWC on 18 points.
But it was Denmark who truly underlined their ambitions to retain the Ove Fundin Trophy they lifted in Malilla last July.
Poland are sweating on the fitness of 2010 world champion Tomasz Gollob ahead of the Final after he withdrew from Event 1 with a back injury. But Pedersen says Denmark have no reason to worry about who lines up for their rivals.
The triple world champion stormed to 13 points along with SGP rival Niels-Kristian Iversen. Michael Jepsen Jensen ended his evening on 12 and Kenneth Bjerre bagged 11. And Pedersen believes Denmark are producing the consistency needed to retain their world title.
He said: It was important to go out and show Poland we could do it. They scored 48 in Event 1, which is a very high figure. We scored 49. We know theyre favourites and theyre doing well, but we want to go to Prague and give it our best shot.
If we can stay consistent all four riders we are definitely up for the fight. Consistency is the key. We scored 11, 12 and 13 thats good. We have a team where things are going in the right direction. We wanted to go through here; that was very important for us.
Pedersen isnt worried whether his long-standing individual World Championship rival Gollob makes a comeback for Poland or not, and hopes their selection dilemma could help the Danes.
He said: For us, it doesnt matter. Poland are doing well and they have lots of riders at the moment. Sometimes that can cause them problems. Who are they going to pick? Who should they take?
We know were the four strongest in Denmark at the moment. Were feeling confident their riders are probably thinking are we going to be in or not in? There are a lot of things going on for them. They could do well, but well think about ourselves, keep the consistency and hopefully well fight for the gold.
Pedersen has celebrated FIM Speedway World Cup gold with his country three times in 2006, 2008 and 2012. He would love to add a fourth victory to his stellar CV.
He said: That would be nice. Its the only reason I want to do the World Cup to fight for the gold medal. We have won it before. We know its going to be tough, but were up for it if we keep our consistency.
Denmarks triumph at Kings Lynn had added personal significance for Pedersen, whose son Mikkel was a very special guest. It was his first meeting ever, the Stevenage-based rider said. Hes one month old. It was nice to score a few points for him and the family.
Team GB manager Neil Middleditch has called up Lewis Bridger and Ben Barker for the Monster Energy SWC Race Off.
Individual World Championship challenger Tai Woffinden was awesome on 18, while Chris Harris tallied 12. But disappointing displays from Craig Cook (four) and Edward Kennett (one) have cost them their places.
Middleditch said: Ben has got experience of riding in the Czech league and Lewis is out in Poland. He has some good equipment out there hopefully. They both wanted the chance, theyre a couple of young lads and theyve got their chance. Well see what they can do.
Phil (Morris) and I had a chat and we chatted with Tai and Bomber, and that was the consensus of opinion Ben and Lewis are the boys for the job in Prague.
USA icon Greg Hancock inspired his team into the Race Off with a fantastic 16 points, including a six-point tactical joker victory in heat 14, which gave the Americans a lead over Sweden they didnt let slip.
The Californian hailed a momentous victory for his side, which means they will not have to enter the qualifying rounds to compete in the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup.
He said: It was awesome, amazing, fantastic and wonderful its such an amazing achievement for the American team. Weve reached our goal, and that was making it to the Race Off. That was step one and anything that happens for the rest of this year is a bonus.
The Americans have been drawn in red for the Monster Energy SWC Race Off. Latvia ride in blue, Team GB wear white and Australia compete in yellow.
MONSTER ENERGY SWC EVENT 2 SCORES:
Denmark 49: 1 Nicki Pedersen 13, 2 Kenneth Bjerre 11, 3 Michael Jepsen Jensen 12, 4 Niels-Kristian Iversen 13.
Great Britain 35: 1 Chris Harris 12, 2 Tai Woffinden 18, 3 Edward Kennett 1, 4 Craig Cook 4.
United States 24: 1 Ryan Fisher 3, 2 Greg Hancock 16, 3 Gino Manzares 1, 4 Ricky Wells 4.
Sweden 18: 1 Daniel Nermark 5, 2 Peter Ljung 11, 3 Dennis Andersson 2, 4 Jonas Davidsson 0.
