KLINDT'S SGP DREAM

Danish racer Nicolai Klindt is targeting FIM Speedway Grand Prix qualification “within the next three or so years” as bids to get closer to his dream of being crowned world champion.

Klindt emerged as one of Denmark’s brightest prospects over a decade ago, appearing in the 2009 and 2010 FIM Speedway World Cup.

But a serious shoulder injury suffered at Wolverhampton on April 30, 2012 massively stunted his progress. Klindt qualified for the 2017 Speedway European Championship, but that season was ended by knee ligament damage.

He has defied his injuries to fight his way back into the Danish national team after a strong 2020 season with Ostrow in the Polish First Division.

The 32-year-old is determined to continue his progress and while some may believe his SGP chance has gone; Klindt refuses to give up on his dream of reaching the sport’s biggest stage.

He said: “I had a conversation with Jacob Olsen at Vojens – I think it was at the back end of 2018. I said ‘I want to get into the GPs. My biggest dream is to be world champion one day.’

“I don’t know if it’s possible, but I am working hard towards it because it has been a big dream of mine since I was five. I want to be in the GPs within the next three or so years.

“Jacob told me I was nuts. But since I signed for Vojens, he has been helping me out a bit with things and he said ‘I have to take my hat off – I can see the way you have progressed; the way you are working and dealing with things; the way your focus is, and the way you are running your team. I can definitely see it is possible.’

“The amount of time, money and effort I have put into it is about getting a GP spot. It’s something I have always dreamed about and something I believe I am capable of getting, but I don’t want to be a rider who gets in there and runs 12th, 13th or 15th in every round. I want to be in there and be competitive.

“I think I have reached that level where I can be competitive now, so it is something I am aiming to qualify for this year.”