MICHELSEN'S FITNESS FIGHT

10/09/2022

MICHELSEN'S FITNESS FIGHTMICHELSEN'S FITNESS FIGHT

Danish international Mikkel Michelsen admits a season of crashes has taken its toll as he bids to defy his latest injury setback and star at the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens, sponsored by ECCO tonight.

The European champion recently recovered from a knee injury, suffered in a heavy crash with compatriot Anders Thomsen at Vojens on June 15.

He then sustained an ankle injury in Torun on September 2 after a freak crash in the warm-up for Lublin’s PGE Ekstraliga play-off semi-final, first leg. Michelsen was thrown from his bike with the engine landing on his ankle.

Despite that knock, he raced on in Torun, as well as competing in last Saturday’s Speedway European Championship in Lodz. He then raced for Lublin in their home leg against Torun last Sunday.

Michelsen has been undergoing intense physio all week to get himself in the best shape possible to line up at a packed Vojens Speedway Center for Denmark’s biggest speedway event.

But he’s frustrated to have suffered another injury setback to his Speedway GP ambitions as he bids to improve on ninth place in the standings and fight his way into the top-six automatic qualification places for 2023.

He said: “It has really been the story of the past two and a half to three months. I have been battling with minor injuries. I know we are all battling with small injuries all the time, but I was just getting back to normal with my right knee.

“It was just starting to feel comfortable, and I was started to feel at one with my bike. Then I had that crash in Torun and now we’re back to square one.

“I wish our sport was different. It’s just the way it goes. It’s unlucky. It sucks. Friday’s crash wasn’t great timing. We have three Speedway GPs in four weekends, the finals in Poland and the last round of the Speedway European Championship as well. It’s play-off time in Denmark too.

“It has been a rough season in general for my body. I think I have crashed more this season than I have done in my entire career. It has taken a toll on the whole body, but that’s just part of the game.

“I am looking forward to Vojens. It’s going to be a challenge and a battle, but I am always up for a challenge. It will be nice to hopefully race in front of a full stadium there.”

Tickets for tonight’s FIM Danish Speedway GP, sponsored by ECCO are still available online. Please visit: https://www.billetlugen.dk/artist/danish-fim-speedway-grand-prix/?affiliate=WW2