British Elite League stars go for Gothenburg glory
By Effective Communication
The four British Elite League stars in the 2011 FIM Speedway Grand Prix world championship are targeting Scandinavian success this weekend.
Fredrik Lindgren (Wolverhampton), Kenneth Bjerre (King’s Lynn), Chris Holder (Poole) and Chris Harris (Belle Vue) are eager to peg back the competition’s early leaders in Gothenburg on Saturday (note: May 14) at the FIM Meridian Lifts Swedish Speedway Grand Prix.
Lindgren and Bjerre made the semi-finals of April 30’s championship opener in Leszno, Poland, and lie sixth and seventh in the table. Holder and Harris are ninth and 11th.
Last night Cornishman Harris said: “Leszno proved that 2011 will be one of Speedway Grand Prix’s toughest and most exciting seasons.
“In Gothenburg I’ll be looking to kick on and get a podium finish. I’m convinced I can compete at the highest level and I’m already loving the prospect of the FIM Doodson British Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in June.
“I won there four years ago and I’m hungry for more success like that.”
The Truro-born Belle Vue Aces star, who last year enjoyed his highest Grand Prix finish, relishes competing at the highest level.
In a Grand Prix field that includes four world champions, 28-year-old Harris – ranked sixth in the world and based in Coventry – hopes to build towards his best career performance last season.
He said: “I’m feeling good and am over niggles with a back injury and eye infection; I came of age as a rider last year and that will stand me in good stead this season.”
Harris is the only Brit in the GP series’ roster of the 15 world-best riders that includes no fewer than four world champions.
The GP series’ early leaders are: Tomasz Gollob (Poland), Nicki Pedersen (Denmark), Greg Hancock (USA) and Emil Sayfutdinov (Russia).
Leszno saw three-time world champion Pedersen claim Grand Prix victory but defending champion Gollob claim most points.
This Saturday’s showdown takes place at Gothenburg ‘s Ullevi Stadium.
Tags: 2011 FIM Speedway Grand Prix, Chris Harris, Chris Holder, FIM Meridian Lifts Swedish Speedway Grand Prix, Fredrik Lindgren, Kenneth Bjerre, motorsports, Speedway, Ullevi Stadium.
