EYES FRONT FOR KNUDSEN

Danish SGP2 star Jesper Knudsen hopes working with a sports psychologist can help him focus on the future rather than past mistakes after agreeing terms for another season with Vojens club Sønderjylland Elite Speedway.

Knudsen finished 13th in the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship this season and admits there were times when he struggled to move on from bad results in 2024.

He started working with a sports psychologist in September and believes this will aid his preparations for 2025.

He told the Vojens club website: “It's really good, and we talk about many things, both about diets, but also about looking out of the windscreen rather than looking in the rearview mirror, hampered by irritation over bad heats.

“It felt like a vicious circle that I couldn't deal with. I often had difficulty falling asleep, because I knew I could do better.

“I find it difficult to explain why I suddenly became my own worst opponent. Maybe I stretched the bow of expectations way too hard and couldn't relax.”

SES director Jacob Olsen is backing Knudsen to thrive in 2025 as he bids to return to the SGP2 series, which concludes in Vojens on Friday, September 12 – the start of a weekend of champions also featuring the Deluxe Homeart FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens and SGP4 on Saturday, September 13.

Olsen said: “We all know what Jesper is capable of on the track. He is still one of the country's best young riders and he has another year in SGP2. 

“If Jesper finds the will and spark to work hard – also off the track – throughout the winter, he will be a strong card in the coming season.”

Elsewhere, former SGP2 bronze medallist Bartlomiej Kowalski has agreed terms with champions Slangerup for 2025.