Rosco backs Mads for wildcard slot (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rosco backs Mads for wildcard slot

10:00am Monday 19th May 2008 in Sport By Gareth Moorhouse

SWINDON chief Alun Rossiter is backing Mads Korneliussen for a wildcard slot when the Speedway Grand Prix series visits his native Denmark next month.

Rosco believes Korneliussen would shine on the international stage and is pleading with organisers to hand him his dream debut at the Parken Stadium on June 14.

This follow's Korneliussen's impressive performance in round one of the Danish final on Saturday, when the 24-year-old finished a highly creditable third.

The Robins rider dropped just four points from his five qualifying rides which was enough to secure an automatic route into the final, where he lined up against Grand Prix veterans Nicki Pedersen, Hans Andersen and Niels Iversen.

And Rossiter believes Korneliussen may just have ridden himself into contention for a night of Grand Prix action.

He said: "Mads has made significant progress in the last few seasons, not just with Swindon, but throughout the speedway world.

The SGP series organisers need to look closely at his scores this season and realise just how much he has improved. He is now one of the top four Danish riders and his efforts need to be rewarded.

Alun Rossiter

"His performance on Saturday further emphasises his breathtaking form and must make him the main contender for a wildcard spot in Copenhagen.

"This result confirms that he can mix it with the heavy hitters and he therefore deserves a shot at the big time.

"Mads is now consistently performing better than many of his compatriots - riders such as Kenneth Bjerre, Charlie Gjedde and Nicolai Klindt.

"The SGP series organisers need to look closely at his scores this season and realise just how much he has improved.

"He is now one of the top four Danish riders and his efforts need to be rewarded."

• POOLE'S Bjarne Pedersen has set himself a comeback target of Saturday and the Swedish Grand Prix in Gothenburg.

Pedersen suffered a broken hand in the Craven Shield defeat by Coventry a fortnight ago.

He said: "My hand is doing so much better and I really feel the progress. I expect to be ready for Sweden but I must talk to my doctor first."