Niels roars back to the Peterborough Panthers after 13 years away!

Niels Kristian Iversenn. Photo: Jeff Davies.

The former World number three is the Crendon Panthers’ fourth confirmed signing for 2023, re-joining the club after an absence of over a decade.

Iversen last rode for Panthers back in 2010, but ironically was lined up to return to the East of England Arena three years ago, appearing on press and practice day before the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Last year he raced for A47 rivals King’s Lynn in the opening months of the campaign before being forced to quit the Stars due to regulations in Poland.

But with those rules now relaxed, he is free to compete in the UK throughout the year.

Panthers co-promoter Carl Johnson said: “Niels is a proven heat-leader and a proven number one in the Premiership, and he’s been one of the best in the world throughout his career.“It’s fantastic that we can make a signing like him and bring him back to the club, especially after he never got to ride for us in 2020.

“He’s certainly going to be a crowd favourite again, and looking at his form from last season, he was the outstanding man at King’s Lynn until he had to leave, and that’s when they disappeared down the table.

“We’ve brought in someone who is proven and who we know can go out and score double figures anywhere, and hopefully everywhere.

“He loves the Showground. It’s one of his favourite tracks, and it puts another great rider into the line-up.

"What we’ve got in the team so far is a superb starting point.”

Iversen joins Benjamin Basso, Ben Cook and Jordan Jenkins in the team with the new season just under two months away.

New co-promoter Michael Tomalin has already pledged to mount a far stronger play-off challenge than in the 2022 campaign, and Panthers clearly now have some key decisions to take elsewhere in the line-up.

Five of their Premiership rivals have declared their full squads, with Ipswich – who are Panthers first competitive opponents on March 23 and March 27 – having two spots remaining with their side once again including the likes of Jason Doyle and Danny King.