VACULIK ADDS BJARNE PEDERSEN TO SGP TEAM

Slovak star Martin Vaculik hailed double FIM Speedway World Cup winner Bjarne Pedersen a “world legend of speedway” after adding him to his FIM Speedway Grand Prix crew for 2022.

Pedersen is no stranger to the SGP series, having won the 2004 European SGP in Wroclaw and raced full-time in the competition from 2003 to 2008, peaking at sixth place in the World Championship in 2005, before qualifying for one final season in 2012.

The Dane also won two SWC gold medals with his country at Reading in 2006 and Vojens in 2008.

He brought the curtain down on his racing career this year by playing a pivotal role in British club Peterborough’s charge to the SGB Premiership league title, as part of their iconic Dad’s Army team.

Pedersen hinted at possible new roles in and out of the sport, and it appears Vaculik has won the race to recruit a man widely regarded as one of speedway’s ultimate professionals.

Posting on Facebook, a delighted Vaculik confirmed: “I’m pleased to announce that my team is joined by the world legend of speedway, Bjarne Pedersen, who has finished his adventure with speedway, but will help me in the 2022 season. I’m very happy for this cooperation.”

Pedersen is pleased to be teaming up with Gorzow star Vaculik, a former world No.5 who is bidding to bounce back from an injury-interrupted season in 2021.

He said: “I can announce that I will be a part of Vaculik Racing Team in 2022. I am looking forward to getting started and sharing my experience and knowledge in the team.

“Martin has had a strong team around him in 2021 and I look forward to making it even stronger around him in 2022.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning