PEDERSEN: PUTTING RIVALRIES ASIDE

New Danish boss Nicki Pedersen is determined to make sure his national team stars put personal rivalries aside to deliver for their country in the FIM Speedway World Cup this summer.

Triple world champion Pedersen takes over from four-time world champion Hans Nielsen as Danish team manager, and will be determined to add to the four FIM SWC gold medals he won with his country in 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014.

He could yet make it five as a rider. Despite suffering serious breaks to his hip and pelvis last June, Pedersen, 45, returns to the track in the spring and has named himself on the B list ahead of the Wroclaw tournament, taking place from July 25-29.

The likes of Speedway GP stars Leon Madsen, Mikkel Michelsen and Anders Thomsen will put their battles in the individual World Championship aside in a bid to help Denmark claim their first world team title since 2014.

At the peak of his powers, Pedersen had a huge rivalry with fellow Speedway GP frontrunner Hans Andersen, which turned into a bitter feud at times. But the pair still joined forces to deliver two FIM SWC victories in 2006 and 2008.

Pedersen is determined to see the current crop of Danish stars do the same when they head to Wroclaw. He said: “I am going to create an atmosphere so that we have fun, trust each other, and are there for each other. Me and Hans Andersen were real rivals in the Grand Prix. But on that week when we were together for the World Cup, it worked out very, very well.

“I am going to emphasise things like that to the riders. I know the team spirit hasn’t been the best over the years and I am going to make 100 percent sure it’s going to be very good and that they think it’s good fun.”

As Pedersen bids to create an atmosphere of respect in the Danish camp, he is determined to ensure his riders feel valued – whether or not they are selected. He insists the door is never closed if a rider misses out and he’s ready to be open with his decision making.

He said: “Sending out emails without giving them a phone call … I wasn’t a fan of things like that. If you are on the team or not, you need an explanation instead of just getting a phone call if you are and an email if you are not. I would rather be a fair guy – a tough guy in a good way with a lot of respect. Nobody is ever out; nobody is ever 100 percent in. It’s a mixture of having respect for each other and letting people know what’s going on. Those things are important for me.”

Pedersen remains a busy man. As well as managing his country, he will still ride for Danish club Holsted and Polish team Grudziadz this year – as well as starring with his family in Discovery+ reality show Team Pedersen, which launches on February 9.

The former European champion hopes the fact he is still an active rider will quickly earn him the respect needed to lead his country. “Respect doesn’t come overnight,” he admitted. “But they all know what I have done over the last 20 years. The riders racing now can still remember me, which I think is going to be a big help.

“That’s why I started thinking – who else could take over this kind of job? I couldn’t see anybody. That’s why I said to the media in Denmark that I might take the job if they wanted me.

“Just because you have been a good speedway rider, it doesn’t mean that you are also going to be a good coach. But I feel that over the last two or three years, I have been able to help my teams in Denmark and Poland. People started calling me more and more often for advice about this and that. Foreign riders and also Danish riders call me – I’m talking experienced and young riders.

“I hope that when I say something, the riders do not doubt it. I want them to believe in what I say and then go out and achieve. Hopefully I can make them trust and believe in themselves.

“I feel I can give a lot back. There is nothing I haven’t tried in speedway. I have had injuries and know how to come back mentally strong again and get fit. I have been through all those things. I have also earned money from sponsorship. I can sit with the riders and if they have any questions, I can answer them. Then we can try to figure out a way to help them.”