Tuesday 22nd November 2011, 12:34

Lakeside have confirmed new Grand Prix rider Peter Ljung will not return to the club for 2012.

The 29-year-old was handed a shock call-up to the World Championship last week after GP Challenge bronze medallist Piotr Protasiewicz and wild card Darcy Ward turned down their places in the series.

With the Hammers racing the bulk of their home fixtures on Friday nights, Ljung would be forced to sit out a number of meetings to attend SGP practice sessions.

In recent years, Lakeside have been reluctant to sign Grand Prix regulars as they are keen to track a full-strength team every Friday night.

But Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook, who was elected BSPA vice-chairman at the body’s annual meeting over the weekend, says Ljung is still part of the Essex outfit’s future plans.

He told the club’s official website: “Peter has achieved his GP ambition and quite rightly, in my opinion, he wants to plan around it.

“We had been talking at length pre-AGM and he would have been a rider we would have liked to include, but that will have to wait for future seasons.

“He was very genuine in his positive feelings to all at the club, and in his wish is to return at some time in the future.

“But in the meantime I am sure everyone at the Hammers will join me in wishing him good luck in his efforts this coming season.”

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