Pedersen urges Kildemand to calm down (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pedersen urges Kildemand to calm down

6:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in Sport Exclusive By Andy Warren

THREE-TIME world champion Nicki Pedersen has warned Robins star Peter Kildemand he needs to find a new level of consistency if he is to push for a place amongst the sport’s elite.

The Grand Prix star was at Blunsdon on Thursday night as he scored eight points in the Bob Kilby Memorial Trophy, and witnessed first-hand another all-action performance from compatriot Kildemand as he won two races but also fell and ran a last.

The pair will ride together for Swedish side Vargarna this season as well as potentially being in the Denmark squad for the World Cup in the summer, and while Pedersen has been impressed with Kildemand he is hoping to pass on a few tips.

“Peter is loved by the fans because he is a flat out racer who wants to win every heat, but sometimes he is over-trying a little bit too much but that is what fans want to see.

“He gives 110 per cent which we saw at Swindon because he slipped down again in one of the races, but I am sure as he gets a bit older he will get more in control because he has a very good character.

“He is a racer who has great league form, though I don’t know if he can reach up to the Grand Prix, but he is definitely getting better and better every single day and he’s a nice lad.

“He needs to find more consistency, but I’m sure in the next few years he will show what sort of level he’s going to end up on, which is why he needs to stabilise a bit.

“We will ride together in Sweden, and it will be good to race with him.”

Pedersen failed to make the semi-final at the Abbey Stadium, but was pleased to get on the bike in a meeting that he used as vital preparation for the start of the Grand Prix series in New Zealand at the weekend.

“I felt better in the end but I struggled a little to start with, and I didn’t make any good starts so I had to make a few adjustments,” he said.

“I wanted to reach the semi-final or the final, but I slipped out because I didn’t get a heat win which was disappointing, but I just wanted to get on the bike and it was good despite the cold.

“I had a little rib injury which I can still feel, but that’s no excuse for the way I rode, and I was pleased to get some laps in.

“It is 12 rounds in the GP and a long old season, but I have to hope I can be consistent again and push all the way to the end to try and be world champion.”