Post by speedway_history on Dec 5, 2008 12:59:31 GMT 1
1..Your form in Poland, Sweden and in the GPs seemed to dip towards the end of last season, although it held up well in the UK; do you think this was possibly down to your remaining loyal to Jawa, or do you think there were other factors and what would they be?
There were other factors involved, it was nothing to do with Jawa, it was a common problem in Europe that took time to isolate. I even swapped my English bikes for my bikes abroad at one point and it made no difference, but it did lead to us resolving the problem.
2..As a follow on, I believe I read somewhere that you used GMs in a meeting in Poland towards the end of last season, so are you thinking of following the likes of Jason Crump and Leigh Adams into the GM stable?
I was given a GM to test, but I never used it in an official fixture. I was a GM rider in 2003 but changed to Jawa for 2004 onwards. I am not looking at changing back to GM at the moment, I am very happy with Jawa.
3..You were somewhat controversially over-looked for a place in the 2006 GPs, which I think has possibly been a positive, given that your form in 2006 was outstanding; would you agree?
I think being dropped from the GP taught me not to take anything for granted. It also taught me to relax more at GP’s when I am competing in them.
4..You made certain statements immediately after the 2007 SWC final which I thought ill-judged and displayed a lack of grace (although probably not as outrageous or lacking in grace as comments directed at you after the 2004 SWC final); do you regret making them?
You have to remember sometimes the adrenalin is pumping and what you say when a microphone is put in front of you is often not, how shall we say, diplomatic, but this is really what the TV people like and want. But wouldn’t life be boring if everyone towed the line all the time! The World Cup is important to me, I am captain of my country and I am very very proud of that. I was gutted that we never retained the trophy.
5..As a follow on question, the 2008 SWC final looks like being held in Vojens and with the current strength of the Danish side, is it really worth the other teams showing up?
Well the honest answer is that most of the Danish team rarely ride at Vojens, so there is not much advantage for us, but if the other teams don’t want to turn up, that’s fine by me!
6..You're back with Peterborough and Dackarna Malilla for the 2007, but you've moved clubs in Poland from Wroclaw to Torun; you always struck me as being very popular in Wroclaw, so why the move?
I have been at Wroclaw for quite a while, but I thought a move would sharpen me up. Torun came knocking and the rest is history, although I have to say I enjoyed my time at Wroclaw, it is a great club with fantastic supporters.
7..You seem to have had the happy knack of winning league championships the last couple of years (Peterborough and Wroclaw in 2006 and Dackarna Malilla in 2007); which of your 2008 clubs do you think will enable you to continue the trend?
All three have a good chance. That’s good for me, because I like a winning mentality, it rubs off on me when competing on a personal level in the GP’s.
8..The media made much of some clashes between yourself and fellow countryman Nicki Pedersen last season and in an interview young Pedersen jokingly said he probably wasn't going to send you a Christmas card; do you have any comments on the so-called "feud" and will you be sending him a Christmas card this year?
We are obviously both very competitive, he’s World Champion and I respect that, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to roll over every time we meet on track. Yes I’ll be sending him a Christmas card, but I might not put a stamp on it though!!! By the way, did you know I’m the Danish Champion
9..Both Pedersens (Nicki and Bjarne) have made comments about looking to ride in Russia in 2008, although Bjarne Pedersen seems to have backed away from that now, but it's not something you ever seem to mention; have you considered the Russian scene?
I was signed to a Russian club last season but never rode for them. I’m not desperate to do it, if the opportunity arose, then maybe. For me it’s not about money, it’s about reaching the very top of the sport and enjoying getting there.
10..The BSPA have just had their annual AGM where they tinker with points limits, tactical rules and the like, yet my view is that good speedway begins and ends with good track preparation, which is something I believe you criticised last season; what makes a track well prepared and do you believe track preparation should be higher on the agenda in the UK?
Don’t get me started on that subject!!! All I want is for an all over even racing circuit and not a race track that’s roughly a metre and a half wide next to the air fence. It’s not much to ask for, is it?
There were other factors involved, it was nothing to do with Jawa, it was a common problem in Europe that took time to isolate. I even swapped my English bikes for my bikes abroad at one point and it made no difference, but it did lead to us resolving the problem.
2..As a follow on, I believe I read somewhere that you used GMs in a meeting in Poland towards the end of last season, so are you thinking of following the likes of Jason Crump and Leigh Adams into the GM stable?
I was given a GM to test, but I never used it in an official fixture. I was a GM rider in 2003 but changed to Jawa for 2004 onwards. I am not looking at changing back to GM at the moment, I am very happy with Jawa.
3..You were somewhat controversially over-looked for a place in the 2006 GPs, which I think has possibly been a positive, given that your form in 2006 was outstanding; would you agree?
I think being dropped from the GP taught me not to take anything for granted. It also taught me to relax more at GP’s when I am competing in them.
4..You made certain statements immediately after the 2007 SWC final which I thought ill-judged and displayed a lack of grace (although probably not as outrageous or lacking in grace as comments directed at you after the 2004 SWC final); do you regret making them?
You have to remember sometimes the adrenalin is pumping and what you say when a microphone is put in front of you is often not, how shall we say, diplomatic, but this is really what the TV people like and want. But wouldn’t life be boring if everyone towed the line all the time! The World Cup is important to me, I am captain of my country and I am very very proud of that. I was gutted that we never retained the trophy.
5..As a follow on question, the 2008 SWC final looks like being held in Vojens and with the current strength of the Danish side, is it really worth the other teams showing up?
Well the honest answer is that most of the Danish team rarely ride at Vojens, so there is not much advantage for us, but if the other teams don’t want to turn up, that’s fine by me!
6..You're back with Peterborough and Dackarna Malilla for the 2007, but you've moved clubs in Poland from Wroclaw to Torun; you always struck me as being very popular in Wroclaw, so why the move?
I have been at Wroclaw for quite a while, but I thought a move would sharpen me up. Torun came knocking and the rest is history, although I have to say I enjoyed my time at Wroclaw, it is a great club with fantastic supporters.
7..You seem to have had the happy knack of winning league championships the last couple of years (Peterborough and Wroclaw in 2006 and Dackarna Malilla in 2007); which of your 2008 clubs do you think will enable you to continue the trend?
All three have a good chance. That’s good for me, because I like a winning mentality, it rubs off on me when competing on a personal level in the GP’s.
8..The media made much of some clashes between yourself and fellow countryman Nicki Pedersen last season and in an interview young Pedersen jokingly said he probably wasn't going to send you a Christmas card; do you have any comments on the so-called "feud" and will you be sending him a Christmas card this year?
We are obviously both very competitive, he’s World Champion and I respect that, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to roll over every time we meet on track. Yes I’ll be sending him a Christmas card, but I might not put a stamp on it though!!! By the way, did you know I’m the Danish Champion
9..Both Pedersens (Nicki and Bjarne) have made comments about looking to ride in Russia in 2008, although Bjarne Pedersen seems to have backed away from that now, but it's not something you ever seem to mention; have you considered the Russian scene?
I was signed to a Russian club last season but never rode for them. I’m not desperate to do it, if the opportunity arose, then maybe. For me it’s not about money, it’s about reaching the very top of the sport and enjoying getting there.
10..The BSPA have just had their annual AGM where they tinker with points limits, tactical rules and the like, yet my view is that good speedway begins and ends with good track preparation, which is something I believe you criticised last season; what makes a track well prepared and do you believe track preparation should be higher on the agenda in the UK?
Don’t get me started on that subject!!! All I want is for an all over even racing circuit and not a race track that’s roughly a metre and a half wide next to the air fence. It’s not much to ask for, is it?