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With the Dansk Metal League being cancelled, it made sense for many Danish riders to travel over the border to race in Sweden in 2020. 70 riders competed in more than 12 heats in Elitserien and 18 were Danish. That makes them the most well represented foreign nation in the Swedish league.

Not only that, but with six of the top 20 riders coming from Denmark they were arguably more successful than their Scandinavian hosts – who had just three riders in the top 20.  

Iversen in first place

Not surprisingly, it was the only SGP rider, Niels Kristian Iversen, who topped the scorers from Denmark with a heat average of 2.533. That put him second in individual heat average racing for the team who finished second, Kumla Indianerna, despite having a season hampered by injury.

Pedersen has still got it

The next best rider was veteran, Nicki Pedersen, who, whilst not at the heights of his career, is still is able to pack a punch with 2.267 this year. The former world champion is not just a name that attracts crowds, but he is a rider who makes a difference as he showed at Avesta Masarna, this year’s Swedish champions.

Bjerre better in Poland

But after this the list of top Danish riders in Sweden does not follow the pattern that might be predicted. Particularly, this was the case with Ekstraliga rider, Kenneth Bjerre. In Poland he had an excellent season where he picked up a silver medal with Gorzow and a heat average 1.786, which put him at 24th overall. But in Sweden, he failed to find that winning touch gaining only 1.647 putting him at 25th, but against a substantially weaker field in Elitserien.

Jeppesen makes his mark

However, Jonas Jeppesen, must rate as one of the most exciting finds of the season coming in as the 8th best rider, and third best Dane, with a heat percentage of 2.188. It was not just in Sweden that excelled, but also racing with Ostrovia in eWinner1 League in Poland. He gained 1.944 in six matches, which would have put him in 14th on overall, if he had raced 30 heats to gain an official heat average.

It was a huge step up for the 22 year old, who had only raced in 4 matches Allsvenskan in 2019 and 7 in Poland’s 2 League. So, it is no surprise that even though the 2020 season finished just a few days ago, he has already been signed for Kumla Indianerna for 2021.

DANISH RIDERS (1-5)

2. Niels Kristian Iversen KUM 2.533

5. Nicki Pedersen MAS 2.267

8. Jonas Jeppesen KUM 2.18

15. Rasmus Jensen ROS 2.056

18. Peter Kildemand PIR 1.952

DANISH RIDERS (6-10)

20. Fredrik Jakobsen DAC 1.930

24. Hans Andersen DAC 1.681

25. Kenneth Bjerre KUM 1.647

27. Mads Hansen WSSK 1.633

29. Rene Bech LEJ 1.591