Bjarne Pedersen
Encyclopedia
Bjarne Pedersen is an international motorcycle speedway
rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup
, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.
. However, he did not ride as a full-time professional until 2000. Pedersen began his UK racing career with the Newcastle Diamonds
in the Premier League
. He took part in his first two Speedway Grand Prix
events in 2002
, both as a wild card. His first full Speedway Grand Prix
season came in 2003, but it was not until 2004 when Pedersen won his only Grand Prix to date at the European GP
in Wrocław. In 2004 he also won the Elite League Riders Championship
.
Pedersen admitted at the end of the 2007 season that he had lost enthusiasm for riding in Speedway Grand Prix
series until he qualified for the 2008 series in the race off in Vojens.
Pedersen was retained by Poole for the 2008 season over former world champion Jason Crump
when it was announced the British Speedway Promoters' Association
(BSPA) that the points limit for team building purposes was to be reduced drastically. Poole promoter Matt Ford stated that Pedersen was chosen due to his loyalty to Poole over the previous six seasons.
* Pedersen sustained a broken wrist during a Craven Shield
meeting for Poole
on the 2nd May 2008. His place at the European Grand Prix
and the Swedish Grand Prix
were taken by first reserve Lubos Tomicek
.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup
The Speedway World Cup is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first edition of the competition in the current format was in 2001 and it replaced the old World Team Cup competition.-Format:...
, winning it on two occasions: in 2006 and 2008.
Career summary
Pedersen began his speedway career in 1990. He won his first title in 1994 winning a Danish junior pairs championship with Charlie GjeddeCharlie Gjedde
Charlie Rasmussen Gjedde is an international motorcycle speedway rider who won the Speedway World Cup with Denmark in 2006...
. However, he did not ride as a full-time professional until 2000. Pedersen began his UK racing career with the Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion...
in the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
. He took part in his first two Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
events in 2002
2002 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2002 Speedway Grand Prix season is the eighth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, both as a wild card. His first full Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
season came in 2003, but it was not until 2004 when Pedersen won his only Grand Prix to date at the European GP
Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
The Speedway Grand Prix of Europe is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:* List of Speedway Grand Prix riders...
in Wrocław. In 2004 he also won the Elite League Riders Championship
Speedway Elite League Riders Championship
The Elite League Riders Championship is a contest between the top riders with the highest average points total from each club competing in the Speedway Elite League in the UK. The championship was inaugurated in 1960 when it was known as the Provincial League Riders Championship...
.
Pedersen admitted at the end of the 2007 season that he had lost enthusiasm for riding in Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
series until he qualified for the 2008 series in the race off in Vojens.
Pedersen was retained by Poole for the 2008 season over former world champion Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
when it was announced the British Speedway Promoters' Association
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Association organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the UK. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain....
(BSPA) that the points limit for team building purposes was to be reduced drastically. Poole promoter Matt Ford stated that Pedersen was chosen due to his loyalty to Poole over the previous six seasons.
Speedway Grand Prix results
| Year | Position | Points | Best Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 2002 Speedway Grand Prix The 2002 Speedway Grand Prix season is the eighth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
26th | 10 | 12th | 2 Wild card rides |
| 2003 2003 Speedway Grand Prix The 2003 Speedway Grand Prix season is the ninth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
14th | 51 | 3rd | Finished 3rd in the Norwegian GP |
| 2004 2004 Speedway Grand Prix The 2004 Speedway Grand Prix season is the tenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.-Event format:The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
10th | 78 | Winner | Won the European GP |
| 2005 2005 Speedway Grand Prix The 2005 Speedway Grand Prix season is the 11th season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :... |
6th | 90 | 2nd | Finished 3rd in the Swedish GP, 3rd in the British GP and 2nd in the Czech GP |
| 2006 2006 Speedway Grand Prix The 2006 Speedway Grand Prix season is the twelfth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :... |
12th | 82 | 3rd | Finished 3rd in the Danish GP |
| 2007 2007 Speedway Grand Prix The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season was the thirteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion... |
12th | 77 | 5th | |
| 2008 2008 Speedway Grand Prix The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fourteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era used to determine the Speedway World Champion. It was the second under the promotion of IMG.- Event format :... |
11th | 69 | 2nd | Missed European and Swedish GPs through injury. Finished 2nd in the Italian GP. |
* Pedersen sustained a broken wrist during a Craven Shield
Craven Shield
The Craven Shield is a Speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association...
meeting for Poole
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
on the 2nd May 2008. His place at the European Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
The Speedway Grand Prix of Europe is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:* List of Speedway Grand Prix riders...
and the Swedish Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
The Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:*List of sporting events in Sweden...
were taken by first reserve Lubos Tomicek
Luboš Tomícek, Jr.
Luboš Tomíček is a Czech international speedway rider.Lubos comes from a 3-generation motorsport family; his grandfather and father also were speedway riders with high records. He represents the Czech Republic on an international scene...
.