The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
‘Count me in next season’ says Panthers fans’ favourite
Speedway - Rider pledges loyalty to city side
Peterborough Panthers favourite Ulrich Ostergaard has sent a clear ‘count me in’ message to club bosses for next year.
Danish racer Ostergaard, who was part of the club’s stunning 2006 title success, was disappointed, but not surprised, when the 2020 Premier League season was scrapped.
He is currently working full-time back in his home country, but has every intention of returning to the East of England Arena next year.
“It would be nice to think clubs are allowed to go with the same team they named for this year,” Ostergaard said.
“It’s so disappointing to lose a full season of league racing, but understandable with everything going on in the world right now.
“I have so many friends in the Peterborough area and I will miss them as much as I will miss the racing. I regard Peterborough as my second home these days.
“I’m fortunate to have employment here in Denmark and I’m working for people who understand what I do which is great.
“I’d like to send my best wishes out to all Peterborough fans, sponsors and staff and I look forward to seeing them again when we can.”
Rohan Tungate is in the • form of his career in Poland and Sweden – and he’s also refusing to rule out a Panthers return next year.
Tungate has had a massively-reduced schedule this season with the Swedish League only starting up last week.
And he insists it’s too soon to look at how next season may work out for British racing and whether or not he would consider a less hectic diary.
“It’s hard to say because, with the coronavirus, everything has changed a lot,” Tungate told Speedway Star magazine.
“I think it’s too early to make a decision on that kind of stuff.”
Tungate also believes cancelling the British season will prove to be the right thing.
“It’s a big disappointment,” he said. “But I did kind of expect it the whole time that Br-itain wouldn’t run.
“It’s a big shame, but maybe it’s for the better. It could have been a disaster if they had started the season and maybe it was the right decision not to run.”
Panthers favourite •
Niels-Kristian Iversen is facing a race against time for the opening Grand Prix of the season which is just a week away.
Iversen had metalwork inserted in his broken wrist last week and remains confident of lining up in Wroclaw for the opening two rounds on Friday and Saturday, August 28 and 29.
Fans can watch the action live on BT Sport.