Friday 9th December 2011, 14:06

Peterborough No.1 Kenneth Bjerre says he enjoyed his year at King’s Lynn, but admits a return to the East of England Showground was always his first choice for 2012.

The Danish international was forced out of the club last winter, despite signing a contract for 2011, when Panthers walked out of the BSPA’s annual meeting in November 2010.

Fearing the team may not run, Bjerre accepted an offer to join Elite League newcomers King’s Lynn and he spearheaded them to the play-off semi-finals.

While the Stars wanted to keep him for next year, the Grand Prix star was keen to get back to his parent club. He told the Panthers official website: “I enjoyed my year at King’s Lynn and was generally happy with my form.

“The Stars management looked after me and I got on well with the supporters, but I’m delighted to be back at Peterborough.

“They own my UK contract and it is where I want to race each week – it’s a fantastic racetrack and I have a great relationship with everyone there. It’ll also be good to work with our former Danish team manager Jan Staechmann again too.”

Bjerre will be joined in Panthers colours by Sweden's Linus Sundstrom and British racer Oliver Allen.

Danish stars Michael Jepsen Jensen and Jesper B Monberg also line up, along with doubling-up duo Rene Bach and Lasse Bjerre. Brits Richard Lawson and Kyle Newman share a spot at reserve.

King Kenneth believes Peterborough’s strength in depth will make all the difference next season.

He said: “The management have put a very solid team together and looking at the structure of the side we should always have a strong reserve.

“Michael will start the season at reserve but realistically any one of the others could drop down during the year. This should ensure we’ll always have plenty of strength in depth.

“All the riders are capable of increasing their averages, including myself, and if we can do that then we should have a winning team pushing hard towards the play-offs.

“Riders like Michael, my brother Lasse and Linus (Sundstrom) are the guys that can really make a difference, though – we can expect big things from them next year.”

Bjerre is already making preparations for his fourth straight season in the SGP series. After finishing seventh for the second year running this term, he is determined to mount a stronger push for the sport’s biggest prize.

He said: “I’m expecting big things from myself on the individual front next season.

“We have an earlier start than normal for the Grand Prix when we fly out to Auckland in March, but I’ll be looking to hit the ground running and ultimately I want to become, and believe I can be, world champion.”

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