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Bjerre bidding to become second Panther to win British Grand Prix
IT is British speedway's big day out.
IT is British speedway's big day out.Thousands of shale addicts will flock to the magnificent Millennium Stadium for the British Grand Prix later today, which gets underway at its new 5pm start time.
But there is one man making the pilgrimage to Cardiff for the first time - Panthers rider Kenneth Bjerre.
The Huntingdon-based Dane has enjoyed an enterprising start to his debut World Championship season by reaching three semi-finals in the opening four rounds. It is a record he hopes to continue in the Welsh capital.
"I'm really looking forward to Cardiff because it is a new experience for me," said Bjerre.
"I have never even been to watch in the past so I don't really know what to expect, but everyone always says it is a brilliant occasion so I'm hoping for a good night.
"I've watched the British GP on TV and the racing is usually really exciting. I have experience of riding the temporary tracks in both Gothenburg and Copenhagen so hopefully I will be able to find a good set-up.
"All I am interested in doing is consistently picking up the points that will keep me in the top eight and make sure I qualify for the series again next year.
"My confidence is good at the moment. Things didn't go too well for me last week at Swindon and Lakeside, but I had a good meeting in the hard Polish League on Sunday and did well for Panthers on Thursday.
"I am averaging just under eight points per meeting in the World Championship which is not bad. I would be really happy if I could get that up to 10."
Bjerre is bidding to become the second Panthers rider to win the British Grand Prix.
Club legend Ryan Sullivan charged to glory in front of more than 40,000 fans in 2002 and described the achievement as one of the best moments of his career.
World Championship leader Jason Crump triumphed in Cardiff 12 months ago and another victory tonight would strengthen his grip on top spot in the overall standings.
Crump currently boasts a 14-point lead over Russian revelation Emil Sayfutdinov with Swedish star Andreas Jonsson a further 14 points adrift in third.
Bjerre's tally of 31 points is good enough for eighth place, but he is only a couple of points adrift of Wolverhampton man Fredrik Lindgren and has his sights set on climbing above the Swede.
"It would be nice if I could make up those points and climb up in the standings," added Bjerre. "It is really tight and no rider can afford to have a bad race.
"Leigh Adams is only three points behind me, so I have to make sure I keep my focus to stay in the top eight."
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Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
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