Rosco fuming as Korneliussen misses GP wild card (From Swindon Advertiser)

Rosco fuming as Korneliussen misses GP wild card

8:00am Wednesday 28th May 2008 in

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ANGRY Alun Rossiter has slammed the decision to nominate broken leg victim Kenneth Bjerre as a wild card for the Danish Grand Prix as a real "kick in the teeth" for his rider Mads Korneliussen.

Swindon Robin Korneliussen, pictured, had been touted as a leading contender to appear at the Parken Stadium next month following his impressive start to the season both in Britain and on foreign shale.

The Blunsdon star has been overlooked however, in favour of his compatriot Bjerre, who is currently sidelined with a broken leg, much to Rossiter's annoyance.

"What more does Mads have to do in order to be recognised by the powers that be?" said Rosco.

"He has shown signs of improvement year upon year on both the domestic and international stage.

"I have nothing against Kenneth Bjerre and think he is a good rider but how can you award a wild card slot to someone who is currently sidelined with a broken leg?

"Mads is distraught and who can blame the poor lad? This decision is a real kick in the teeth."

Rossiter believes Korneliussen deserves a crack at world's best, not just for his performances on the track, but also his personality off it.

A favourite with the Abbey Stadium crowd, Rossiter says Korneliussen has also been a great role model for the new members of the Robins team.

"Mads is a young man who symbolises what modern speedway riders should represent," he said.

"He is committed, reliable, flamboyant and a real character of the sport.

"People continually bemoan the lack of personalities in modern speedway and here we have a rider who really does put the fans first.

"It frustrates and baffles me that the authorities have yet again denied him an opportunity to show his worth on the Grand Prix circuit."

Swindon co-owner Gary Patchett has also expressed his disappointment at the decision to overlook Korneliussen.

"This news really frustrates me," he said. "Apart from having a higher Elite League average, a bigger improvement this season and having beaten Bjerre in the first leg of the Danish Championship there is just one other thing that amazes me.

"How can a rider laid up with a broken leg even be considered for an event like this?"

Meanwhile, Robins rider James Wright is gearing up for the British speedway final at Blunsdon tomorrow.

The highest placed rider - apart from GP regulars Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls - will book themselves a place in the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff next month.