Nicki Pedersen
Encyclopedia
Nicki Pedersen is a Danish
motorcycle speedway
rider. He has won the World Championship in 2003
, 2007
and 2008
and was a World Cup
winner with Denmark
in 2006 and 2008. His brother, Ronni Pedersen
, has also ridden in the Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup.
and has since ridden for GKM-u Grudziądz, Wybrzeże Gdańsk
, ZKŻ Zielona Góra
and RKM-u Rybnik. Between 2006 and 2007 he rode for Stal Rzeszów
and since 2008 he has ridden for Włókniarz Częstochowa. Pedersen rides for Lejonen
in the Swedish Elitserien
, and Holsted in the Danish Super League
.
Pedersen's speedway career in the United Kingdom began with the Premier League
team Newcastle Diamonds
, before Elite League
side Wolverhampton Wolves
bought him for the 1999 season. He was at Wolverhampton for two years before the club loaned him out to King's Lynn
, Oxford
and Eastbourne
. Pedersen spent four years at Eastbourne but left at the end of the 2007 season due to a change in ownership of the club and a reduction of the points limit for team building purposes by the British Speedway Promoters' Association
(BSPA). Although Nicki is still an asset of Wolverhampton, he has ruled out a return to the Elite League.
in 2000
, as a wildcard
in Denmark
and impressed by finishing in fourth place. That earned him a permanent Grand Prix spot in 2001
. He showed potential in the opening round in 2001, finishing third in Germany
. Consistent scoring left him in 11th place in the World Championship after his first full year.
Pedersen had a bad start to 2002
, but secured his GP place in 2003 after recording the first win of his career in the European Grand Prix
. He finished the year in 12th place despite an inconsistent season. In 2003
, he improved massively on his 2002 performance. He finished second in the opening Grand Prix of the season, and after a 10th place in the Swedish Grand Prix
, Pedersen won again in Cardiff
to give him a chance of becoming World Champion. Consistent high placings and four more podium finishes, including three in a row, secured the 2003 World Championship for Pedersen.
The 2004 season was less successful for Pedersen; he failed to record a win or a podium place. He finished in fifth place in the World Championship, well behind the two leaders Tony Rickardsson
and Jason Crump
. A second place in Slovenia
was his best result during the 2005 Grand Prix season
and he finished in fourth in the World Championship. Pedersen won the opening GP meeting of the 2006 season
in Slovenia, but after that he fell behind championship leaders Rickardsson and Crump. He improved to finish third in the World Championship however, after a podium place in Latvia
and a win in Poland.
Pedersen was dominant in 2007
, winning four of the eleven Grand Prix, and finishing runner-up in two. He dropped only one point in the opening two rounds and had a run of six consecutive finals, which ended after an exclusion in the semi final in Great Britain
. Pedersen won the penultimate Grand Prix in Slovenia
and in doing so became the 2007 World Champion after accumulating an unassailable lead at the head of the standings.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider. He has won the World Championship in 2003
2003 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2003 Speedway Grand Prix season is the ninth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, 2007
2007 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season was the thirteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion...
and 2008
2008 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fourteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era used to determine the Speedway World Champion. It was the second under the promotion of IMG.- Event format :...
and was a World Cup
Speedway World Cup
The Speedway World Cup is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first edition of the competition in the current format was in 2001 and it replaced the old World Team Cup competition.-Format:...
winner with Denmark
Denmark national speedway team
Denmark are one of the major teams in international speedway. They are managed by former rider Jan Stæchmann and the current captain is Peterborough Panthers' Hans Andersen...
in 2006 and 2008. His brother, Ronni Pedersen
Ronni Pedersen
Ronni Pedersen is a Danish motorcycle speedway rider who was a member of Denmark team at Speedway World Cups. His brother Nicki Ronni Pedersen (born 6 October 1974) is a Danish motorcycle speedway rider who was a member of Denmark team at Speedway World Cups. His brother Nicki Ronni Pedersen (born...
, has also ridden in the Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup.
Domestic teams
Pedersen began speedway racing aged 11 at Danish club Fjelsted. He started his Polish speedway career in 1999 with Polish second division club Start GnieznoStart Gniezno
Towarzystwo Żużlowe Start Gniezno is a Polish motorcycle speedway team based in Gniezno who currently race in First League .- 2011 Squad :...
and has since ridden for GKM-u Grudziądz, Wybrzeże Gdańsk
Wybrzeze Gdansk
Gdański Klub Sportowy "Wybrzeże" is a Polish motorcycle speedway team based in Gdańsk who race in the 1 Liga .- Stadium :...
, ZKŻ Zielona Góra
ZKZ Zielona Góra
Falubaz Zielona Góra is a Polish speedway team based in Zielona Góra who currently races in Speedway Ekstraliga. The club has won Polish Speedway League five times . It is commonly known as Falubaz due to one of its former names....
and RKM-u Rybnik. Between 2006 and 2007 he rode for Stal Rzeszów
Stal Rzeszów
Stal Rzeszów is a Polish football and speedway club based in Rzeszów, Poland.- Address :*ZKS STAL Rzeszów*ul.Hetmańska 69*35-078 Rzeszów*tel./fax 8548-048, 854-65-45, 854-15-92-Current squad :- See also :...
and since 2008 he has ridden for Włókniarz Częstochowa. Pedersen rides for Lejonen
Lejonen
Lejonen is a speedway club from Gislaved in Sweden who compete in the Swedish Elitserien. Their home track is at the Axelent Arena which is Sweden's oldest track still in use.-History:...
in the Swedish Elitserien
Elitserien (speedway)
Elitserien is the highest league in the league system of speedway in Sweden and currently comprises the top 9 Swedish speedway teams. The first season began in 1982...
, and Holsted in the Danish Super League
Danish Speedway League
The Danish Speedway League is the top division of motorcycle speedway in Denmark.- 2008 season :The 2008 season was won by Slangerup; they beat Esbjerg and Holsted.- 2009 season :- See also :* Sports in Denmark...
.
Pedersen's speedway career in the United Kingdom began with the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
team Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion...
, before Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
side Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
bought him for the 1999 season. He was at Wolverhampton for two years before the club loaned him out to King's Lynn
King's Lynn Stars
King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team...
, Oxford
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs...
and Eastbourne
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in...
. Pedersen spent four years at Eastbourne but left at the end of the 2007 season due to a change in ownership of the club and a reduction of the points limit for team building purposes by the British Speedway Promoters' Association
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Association organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the UK. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain....
(BSPA). Although Nicki is still an asset of Wolverhampton, he has ruled out a return to the Elite League.
Grand Prix
Pedersen took part in his first Grand PrixSpeedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
in 2000
2000 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season was the sixth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, as a wildcard
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
in Denmark
Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark
The Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.- Winners :- See also :* motorcycle speedway* List of Speedway Grand Prix riders...
and impressed by finishing in fourth place. That earned him a permanent Grand Prix spot in 2001
2001 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2001 Speedway Grand Prix season was the seventh season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
. He showed potential in the opening round in 2001, finishing third in Germany
Speedway Grand Prix of Germany
The Speedway Grand Prix of Germany is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-Most win: Hans Nielsen Tomasz Gollob 2 times-See also:...
. Consistent scoring left him in 11th place in the World Championship after his first full year.
Pedersen had a bad start to 2002
2002 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2002 Speedway Grand Prix season is the eighth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, but secured his GP place in 2003 after recording the first win of his career in the European Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
The Speedway Grand Prix of Europe is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:* List of Speedway Grand Prix riders...
. He finished the year in 12th place despite an inconsistent season. In 2003
2003 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2003 Speedway Grand Prix season is the ninth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, he improved massively on his 2002 performance. He finished second in the opening Grand Prix of the season, and after a 10th place in the Swedish Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
The Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:*List of sporting events in Sweden...
, Pedersen won again in Cardiff
Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:...
to give him a chance of becoming World Champion. Consistent high placings and four more podium finishes, including three in a row, secured the 2003 World Championship for Pedersen.
The 2004 season was less successful for Pedersen; he failed to record a win or a podium place. He finished in fifth place in the World Championship, well behind the two leaders Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson is a retired Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He is widely acknowledged as being the most successful speedway rider of the current era, having won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. He has two daughters, Michelle and Natalie with his wife Anna...
and Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
. A second place in Slovenia
Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia
The Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia was a speedway event that was a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series between 2002 and 2008.-Winners:...
was his best result during the 2005 Grand Prix season
2005 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2005 Speedway Grand Prix season is the 11th season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :...
and he finished in fourth in the World Championship. Pedersen won the opening GP meeting of the 2006 season
2006 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2006 Speedway Grand Prix season is the twelfth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :...
in Slovenia, but after that he fell behind championship leaders Rickardsson and Crump. He improved to finish third in the World Championship however, after a podium place in Latvia
Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia
The Speedway Grand Prix of Latvia is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:* Latvia national speedway team...
and a win in Poland.
Pedersen was dominant in 2007
2007 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season was the thirteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion...
, winning four of the eleven Grand Prix, and finishing runner-up in two. He dropped only one point in the opening two rounds and had a run of six consecutive finals, which ended after an exclusion in the semi final in Great Britain
2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was the fifth race of the 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 30th June in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, United Kingdom.- Starting positions draw :...
. Pedersen won the penultimate Grand Prix in Slovenia
2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia
The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Slovenia was the tenth race of the 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 22nd September in the Matije Gubca Stadium in Krško, Slovenia.- Starting positions draw :# Jason Crump...
and in doing so became the 2007 World Champion after accumulating an unassailable lead at the head of the standings.
Speedway Grand Prix results
| Year | Position | Points | Best Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 2000 Speedway Grand Prix The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season was the sixth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
20th | 17 | 4th | Fourth placed as a wild card in Vojens |
| 2001 2001 Speedway Grand Prix The 2001 Speedway Grand Prix season was the seventh season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
11th | 52 | 3rd | First year as a permanent GP rider |
| 2002 2002 Speedway Grand Prix The 2002 Speedway Grand Prix season is the eighth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
12th | 73 | Winner | Won in Poland – only final of the season |
| 2003 2003 Speedway Grand Prix The 2003 Speedway Grand Prix season is the ninth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
1st | 152 | Winner | Won in Cardiff. 2003 World Champion. |
| 2004 2004 Speedway Grand Prix The 2004 Speedway Grand Prix season is the tenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.-Event format:The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
5th | 113 | 4th | Only reached one final in the season |
| 2005 2005 Speedway Grand Prix The 2005 Speedway Grand Prix season is the 11th season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :... |
4th | 102 | 2nd | Runner-up in Slovenia |
| 2006 2006 Speedway Grand Prix The 2006 Speedway Grand Prix season is the twelfth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :... |
3rd | 134 | Winner (twice) | Won first and last races in the season (Slovenia, Poland) |
| 2007 2007 Speedway Grand Prix The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season was the thirteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion... |
1st | 196 | Winner (four times) | Won in Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovenia. Runner-up in Denmark and Latvia. 2007 World Champion. |
| 2008 2008 Speedway Grand Prix The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fourteenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era used to determine the Speedway World Champion. It was the second under the promotion of IMG.- Event format :... |
1st | 174 | Winner | Won in Czech Republic, finished on the podium at all but two GPs. 2008 World Champion. |