Wednesday 8th August 2012, 16:02

Swedish star Freddie Lindgren admits Saturday’s FIM Fogo Italian SGP could be make-or-break in his bid for a World Championship medal.

The Orebro-born man heads to Terenzano sixth in the standings on 72 points – 15 behind Jason Crump in third place.

Lindgren has never finished inside the competition’s top eight, but a rock-solid season, coupled with his maiden Grand Prix victory in Gothenburg in May, has made all the difference.

Fast Freddie confesses he is not a fan of the Terenzano circuit as he searches for his first semi-final appearance in north east Italy.

But Lindgren has reached the final at upcoming venues Cardiff, Malilla and Vojens, so he is determined to go into these events with a chance of reaching the rostrum.

He said: “Terenzano is key for me – it will help determine whether I just hang on in the top eight or can finish up higher. After Terenzano, there are some tracks I’m really confident on and really like.

“Cardiff is always a good track and there’s always good racing there. Malilla is my home track and I’ve been on the podium in Vojens before. If I can get some good points in Terenzano, I’ll have a chance to challenge. I’m looking upwards. It’s not that many points up to No.3. I’m going to climb as high as I can.”

Asked why he doesn’t get on with the circuit at the Motoclub Olimpia, Lindgren said: “It’s a weird material and a strange shape to the track.

“I see it as a challenge this year, though. I’ve been there a couple of times now and learned some stuff along the way. I’ll need something special there and I’m looking forward to see if I can come up with something.

“I watched last year’s Italian Grand Prix yesterday to see if I can analyse the racing. I actually won my last ride there, so we must have found something right.”

Lindgren racked up a 15-point maximum for Wolverhampton on Monday night as they triumphed 47-42 at home to Eastbourne. This result came as a relief for the 26-year-old, who managed just three paid five at Coventry last Friday and three paid four at Poole on July 25.

“It was a good feeling because I’ve been struggling a little bit over in Britain,” he said. “I couldn’t really put my finger on why, so it was really good to have a good meeting again.

“I’ve been so good in Britain for so long. People expect me to score big and the management expect me to score big. I expect it myself too and when it’s not happening, it’s a weird feeling. I was pretty determined on Monday to straighten things out.”

Tweet

Speedway Grand Prix Speedway Grand Prix