Thursday 5th July 2012, 14:30

Danish teenager Mikkel B Jensen refuses to let his age hold him back as he prepares to make his international debut in Event 1 of the FIM Monster Energy Speedway World Cup at Bydgoszcz on Saturday night.

The 17-year-old was a somewhat surprise selection by team manager Anders Secher alongside captain Niels-Kristian Iversen and fellow newcomers Leon Madsen and Michael Jepsen Jensen.

But the World Under-21 finalist has already made his mark on the global stage this year after beating world champion Greg Hancock, Peter Ljung and Nicki Pedersen in the Danish SGP at PARKEN on June 9.

Mikkel B has only just finished school and is preparing to turn professional as a speedway rider.

He refuses to hide behind his age or lack of experience, though, and is hungry to get the better of the likes of Tomasz Gollob, Emil Sayfutdinov, Hancock and Billy Hamill in Bydgoszcz.

He said: “Everyone is telling me that I’m only 17 and I have a lot of years ahead, but as I tell them, I’m young and so what? I have to beat these guys now if I want to be the best.

“It doesn’t matter how old they are and what their name is; I just want to beat them.”

Despite his confidence, Mikkel B admits he was somewhat surprised to have been given the call-up. But he hopes a new generation of Danes can make their mark.

He said: “It’s a very big opportunity. I was just happy when Anders told me I was one of the 10 he had picked. But when he told me I was in the team, I didn’t know what to say. I was just speechless.

“It’s a big surprise that he has picked a young team this year, but last year wasn’t the best result for Denmark. Now they’re trying something new and hopefully bringing the new guys on over the next couple of years.

“We’re all going very well at the moment and the GP guys aren’t all going as well in the GP. So it’s good to give the chance to some new guys.”

Asked whether he felt Denmark could win Event 1 and advance straight to the FIM Monster Energy SWC Final at Malilla on July 14, Mikkel B had absolutely no doubts.

“I believe it 100 percent,” he said. “We’re young guys, but we’re still fast and we’re learning all the time. We have Niels as captain, Leon is going very well around Europe and Michael too. I think we can go directly to the final.”

Mikkel B got to the SGP qualification semi-finals, but lost a run-off for the final place in the GP Challenge against Poland’s Adrian Miedzinski at Vojens on June 30.

But having competed in these meetings, as well as the World Under-21s, the Glumso-born man hopes to make the most of his growing international experience.

He said: “It’s a great experience to ride in other countries outside of Denmark. I’ve been riding in the SGP qualifiers and I feel I am getting better and better every time I ride against the better riders. I feel I’m getting better and my starts are getting better too.”

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