Tuesday 19th June 2012, 15:48

Danish SGP wild card Michael Jepsen Jensen admits he is “a step closer to feeling ready for the Grand Prix” after making his World Championship bow in Copenhagen.

The Gorzow, Dackarna, Grindsted and Peterborough rider has emerged as a man capable of consistently beating the sport’s biggest names in Europe’s top leagues this year.

He underlined that reputation by bagging seven points at PARKEN Stadium to miss out on the Danish Grand Prix semis by one point on June 9.

MJJ is being tipped as the wild card entrant for the SGP qualification semi-final at Vojens on June 30 and he would start as one of the firm favourites to make it through to the GP Challenge at Gorican on September 29.

The 20-year-old says his first taste of SGP life in his national stadium came as a real confidence boost.

He said: “I think I had a few heats where I showed I could definitely be in the Grand Prix and we’ll see what happens, especially with Vojens, and maybe I could get in through the Grand Prix qualifiers.

“Copenhagen made me feel it isn’t that different to league racing, to be honest. Maybe I am a step closer to feeling ready for the Grand Prix.”

Seven points is far from a disgrace for a World Under-21 Championship finalist on his world senior bow. But the modest man from Esbjerg wasn’t completely content with his Danish SGP display.

He said: “I missed out in a few heats. I didn’t have the best of luck because in the two races where I made the best gate, we had a re-run and that’s when I lost it.

“I could have done better and I’m not satisfied at all. But I probably should be a little bit happier with it.”

Jepsen Jensen is clearly aiming high and there is talk of him making his senior debut for Denmark in the FIM Monster Energy Speedway World Cup next month.

The Danes launch their campaign at Bydgoszcz against Poland, Russia and the United States in Event One on July 7.

Asked if he fancied his chances of getting selected, the rider said: “We will see. That’s up to the Danish national coach.”

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