JAKOBSEN TRIUMPHS IN DANISH SPEEDWAY GP QUALIFIER AT VOJENS

Danish shooting star Frederik Jakobsen has taken a step closer to the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series after winning the country’s SGP qualifier at Vojens on Wednesday.

Jakobsen will now take his place in the Speedway GP international qualifiers after topping the podium on 14 points at Denmark’s national speedway stadium – venue for the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens on September 16.

Former Speedway GP rider Michael Jepsen Jensen also moved closer to securing a return to the sport’s elite after taking second place on 13, while 2021 FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship runner-up Mads Hansen was third on 11.

Former world No.3 Niels-Kristian Iversen’s hopes of getting back into the Speedway GP series were boosted after he won a run-off for fourth place with Andreas Lyager to take the fourth guaranteed spot. They tied on 10 points.

But Lyager will also enter the Speedway GP qualifiers after national coach Nicki Pedersen opted to hand him Denmark’s last spot in the international rounds as a wild card.

The international rounds take place at Slovakian circuit Zarnovica and Italian track Lonigo on May 27, with two further qualifiers at Hungarian venue Debrecen and German circuit Abensberg on May 29.

The top three or four riders in these events advance to the FIM GP Challenge at Swedish club Gislaved – home of Bauhaus Elitserien team Lejonen – on August 19. The top three riders in one of world speedway’s hardest-fought meetings earn places in the 2024 Speedway GP series.

Denmark’s five qualified riders will also represent their nation in the Speedway European Championship qualifiers for this summer’s four-round series.

The European champion earns a guaranteed place in the 2024 Speedway GP series.

Last year’s title was won by Danish hero Leon Madsen. But with the SEC champion also finishing second in Speedway GP, the SGP spot Madsen earned for winning the continental title passed to a wild card, chosen by the SGP Commission.

Photo: John Bo Jensen