BJARNE: I SIGNED FOR ONE YEAR

BJARNE: I SIGNED FOR ONE YEAR

Monday 1st October 2012, 13:09

Danish star Bjarne Pedersen has rubbished talk that he signed a two-year deal with Elite League title chasers Birmingham.

The Grand Prix rider leads the Perry Barr outfit into the first leg of their Elite League play-off semi-final tie with Swindon tonight.

Pedersen’s British form has been below par this term and he has struggled to produce his usual firepower.

When Birmingham signed the Ryde-born racer, they announced that a two-year deal had been agreed in their official club press release on November 9, 2011. But Pedersen says his contract with the Brummies expires at the end of October.

"Everyone is saying it’s two years and there was some talk about it in the beginning. But at the end of the day, we only signed a one-year deal."

- Bjarne Pedersen

He said: “I don’t know where it has come from about this two-year deal. It is only a one-year deal we have done. Everyone is saying it’s two years and there was some talk about it in the beginning. But at the end of the day, we only signed a one-year deal. It runs out after this season.”

Pedersen is disappointed with how his UK season has gone and apologised to Brummies fans for failing to score more points.

He said: “This year hasn’t turned out exactly how I wanted it to. Sometimes it’s hard to put a finger on it. It has just been one of those seasons where I’ve been a little bit down in the averages in Britain.

“Sweden, Denmark and Poland have been okay – it’s probably only Britain where I have been off a little bit.

“Maybe Birmingham expected more of me than what I have done, but that’s how the sport is sometimes. If they feel I have not done the job, I am sorry about that, but that’s how it happens sometimes.”

Pedersen, a Poole asset, is determined to bounce back strongly in 2013. He has announced he will retire from the Grand Prix series after the FIM Torun SGP of Poland on Saturday.

But the Holstebro legend still feels he can make a real impact in league speedway. He said: “I feel I have a lot to give for next year and I know my average is very low now.

“I’m really looking forward to next season. I have a few small things to change to get back to my best and I’m ready to do it.”

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