BOMBER: LJUNG UP TO SGP TEST

Wednesday 15th February 2012, 13:37

British racer Chris Harris has backed his Vastervik team mate Peter Ljung to “hold his own” in his Grand Prix series debut season.

The Swedish star was handed an unexpected call-up for the World Championship after GP Challenge bronze medallist Piotr Protasiewicz declined his spot in the competition.

Ljung finished sixth in the qualifier at Vetlanda behind Martin Vaculik and Krzysztof Kasprzak, who did not take the chance to replace Pepe, and his ascent into the SGP ranks has raised a few eyebrows.

Some have questioned whether he has what it takes to compete with the likes of world champion Greg Hancock, Andreas Jonsson and Jaroslaw Hampel on the sport’s toughest stage.

But having raced with the former Lakeside man in the Swedish Elitserien, Harris is confident Ljung can shine in the series.

"Peter can just go in there and enjoy every round. When you do that, that’s when you get results."

- Chris Harris

He said: “It’s all new to him, but Peter is a good guy and a good rider. I’m sure he’s just going to go into the Grand Prix, as he has said in his interviews, with no pressure on him.

“Peter can just go in there and enjoy every round. When you do that, that’s when you get results.

“He had some good meetings in Sweden last year when I rode with him, and he beat some guys. He can hold his own I’m sure.”

Bomber and Ljung looked set to leave Vastervik at the end of last season when the team lost their relegation play-out against Dackarna. But when Allsvenskan League champions Rospiggarna opted against returning to the Elitserien, the coastal club was handed a massive reprieve.

Harris had no qualms about honouring his contract there, but admits another tough season lies ahead for his side, which also features Davey Watt, Jurica Pavlic, Nicolai Klindt, Daniel King, Tomasz Jedrzejak and former Grand Prix regular Mikael Max.

He said: “They went down, but I signed a two-year deal last season and both parties were happy to carry on with it.

“We are one of the weakest teams and I can’t say otherwise, but we’ve got a team there that might surprise a few people. It’s going to be tough, though.”

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