9:42am Monday 7th July 2008
By Gareth Moorhouse
ALUN Rossiter is backing a dejected Mads Korneliussen to put the disappointment of Grand Prix Qualifying firmly behind him when he slips into Swindon leathers for the visit of Belle Vue Aces on Thursday.
Korneliussen was off the pace at Saturday's semi-final in Sweden, finishing ninth overall, with only the top eight riders qualifying for the final in Poland later this summer.
But with Swindon still hot on Poole's heels at the top of the Elite League table, Rossiter believes Korneliussen will soon be back firing on all cylinders.
He said: "I spoke to Mads after the meeting and obviously he was disappointed, but he said it was just one of those things.
"He knew he had to win the last race to qualify and he tried to jump the start.
"It didn't work for him and he ended up finishing third, which sadly wasn't enough.
"But he won't wallow in this. Mads is a positive person and he will pick himself up. He knows he has a job to do for Swindon Speedway.
"We've got a meeting against Belle Vue on Thursday when he goes head-to-head with his brother-in-law, Charlie Gjedde, so that will be plenty of motivation for him."
Korneliussen scored in each of his five rides on Saturday, but just one heat win was not enough to propel him into the final.
Victory over Britain's Edward Kennett in the reserve run-off was some consolation for the Dane, who could yet appear in Poland should one of his rivals pull out.
Australian ace Davey Watt was forced to miss the meeting in Motala due to a delayed flight, and Rossiter knows circumstances could yet see Korneliussen achieve his dream of a future Grand Prix ride.
"He's got that reserve spot now, and as we saw on Saturday with Davey pulling out, anything can happen," said Rosco.
"But Mads has got to the point where he has improved so much he now has to try and take it to another level.
"He's made massive strides this year, there's no doubt about that, but he must be a little more consistent.
"If he can do that he will be in a much stronger position when Grand Prix Qualifying comes around again."
Swindon asset Lee Richardson booked his place in the final after winning the second semi-final in Terenzano, Italy.
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