BJERRE'S BACK-UP

Wednesday 11th January 2012, 12:35

Peterborough No.1 Kenneth Bjerre is confident he will have the back-up needed to ensure Panthers push for the Elite League play-off spots.

The Danish star returns to his parent club after a year on loan with near neighbours King’s Lynn.

He is joined in the side by Swedish prospect Linus Sundstrom, British racer Oliver Allen, Danish veteran Jesper B Monberg and doubling-up duo Lasse Bjerre and Rene Bach.

The team’s trump card will be World Under-21 finalist Michael Jepsen Jensen, who starts the campaign at reserve on a 5.00 average.

While Bjerre should pile up the points, some have questioned who will join him in hitting double figures regularly for Panthers. Others fear the team will quickly lose the advantage of having MJJ at reserve if he increases his average and moves into the top five.

But Bjerre has faith in the team. He tips Sundstrom to become a useful second heat leader and believes there is sufficient muscle lower down the order, which also features Kyle Newman and Richard Lawson doubling-up at No.7.

"I’ve said that I’ll take the pressure of winning the important races and I’ll do my best with that."

- Kenneth Bjerre

The Esbjerg-born racer said: “I’ve said that I’ll take the pressure of winning the important races and I’ll do my best with that.

“If Linus progresses the way he did last year and makes the same improvement, he’ll be a heat leader as well. He won’t be a top heat leader, but he’ll definitely be scoring points.

“The best thing about the team is we’ll always have a good reserve. The other guys can do the same as Michael. They’re all at the same level and Jesper B, in particular, has got a lot of experience.

“He has a key role in the team and has been involved with Peterborough for a long time now. He knows what to do, I’m sure he’ll be prepared and he’ll do the best he can.”

Bjerre admits he was offered the chance to spend a second season at King’s Lynn.

But he was always going to nail his colours to the Panthers mast when co-promoters Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney came calling.

He said: “If I could, I’d have liked to be at King’s Lynn and Peterborough, but I’m back with the Panthers and that was my home before last season. I live close to the club and I will try to help them win the title this year.”

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