motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four clockwise, anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that ...
rider. He is a three time world champion having won the World Championship in
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
,
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
and
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
. He has also won the
World Cup
A world cup is a global sporting competition in which the participant entities – usually international teams or individuals representing their countries – compete for the title of world champion. The event most associated with the name is ...
with
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
in 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014.
Career
Pedersen began speedway racing aged 11 at Danish club Fjelsted. He stayed at the club until a move to in 1998 to
Holstebro
Holstebro is the main town in Holstebro Municipality, Denmark. The town, bisected by Storå, Denmark, ''Storåen'' ("The Large Creek") and has a population of 37,487 (1 January 2025).Newcastle Diamonds in the 1998 Premier League speedway season. He topped the League averages which began his journey towards the pinnacle of the sport.
He started his Polish speedway career in 1999 with
Polish Speedway First League
The Polish Speedway First League or Ekstraliga 2 (formerly the Liga.1 żużlowa is the second division of motorcycle speedway in Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Balti ...
Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves were a British motorcycle speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They were champions of the United Kingdom five times and raced at Monmore Green Stadium from 1928 to 2023.
History 1928–1930
Speedway (known ...
bought him for the 1999 season. He was at Wolverhampton for two years.
Pedersen took part in his first Grand Prix in
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
and impressed by finishing in fourth place. That year he qualified for the 2001 Grand Prix where he managed a third in the opening round in Germany and then earned a spot in the Grand Prix in
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
. He showed potential in the opening round in 2002, finishing third in
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
. Consistent scoring left him in 11th place in the World Championship after his first full year.
Pedersen had a bad start to
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
, but secured his GP place in 2003 after recording the first win of his career in the European Grand Prix. He finished the year in 12th place despite an inconsistent season.
In
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
, he improved massively on his 2002 performance. He finished second in the opening Grand Prix of the season and after a 10th place in the
Swedish Grand Prix
The Swedish Grand Prix () was a round of the Formula One World Championship from 1973 to 1978. It took place at the Scandinavian Raceway in Anderstorp ( Gislaved Municipality), about from Jönköping, in Småland, Sweden. The first race to hold ...
, Pedersen won again in
Cardiff
Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...
to give him a chance of becoming World Champion. Consistent high placings and four more podium finishes, including three in a row, secured the 2003 World Championship for Pedersen.
He joined
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles were a British motorcycle speedway team, based at Arlington Stadium, near Eastbourne, England. They were founded in 1929 and are two times champions of Britain in 1995 and 2000. The team last raced on 31 July 2021.
Hist ...
in 2003 and would stay for four years until the end of the 2007 season due to a change in ownership of the club and a reduction of the points limit for team building purposes by the British Speedway Promoters' Association (BSPA).
The 2004 season was less successful for Pedersen; he failed to record a win or a podium place. He finished in fifth place in the World Championship, well behind the two leaders
Tony Rickardsson
Jan Tony Sören Rickardsson (born on 17 August 1970) is a Swedish former professional motorcycle speedway rider. He competed in the Speedway World Championships from 1989 to 2006 and won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. ...
and
Jason Crump
Jason Philip Crump (born 6 August 1975) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider from Australia (UK born). He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, and a World Cup winner.
In a 21-year career in Speedway, Crump finished with sev ...
. A second place in
Slovenia
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
was his best result during the 2005 Grand Prix season and he finished in fourth in the World Championship. Pedersen won the opening GP meeting of the 2006 season in Slovenia, but after that he fell behind championship leaders Rickardsson and Crump. He improved to finish third in the World Championship however, after a podium place in
Latvia
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
and a win in Poland. He won his first major team gold for Denmark after winning the
2006 Speedway World Cup
The 2006 Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 6th FIM Speedway World Cup season. The Final took place on 22 July 2006 in the Smallmead Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The tournament was won by Denmark (45 pts) and they beat Sweden (37 pts ...
.
Pedersen was dominant in
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
, winning four of the eleven Grand Prix, and finishing runner-up in two. He dropped only one point in the opening two rounds and had a run of six consecutive finals, which ended after an exclusion in the semi-final in
Great Britain
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
. Pedersen won the penultimate Grand Prix in
Slovenia
Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ...
and in doing so became the 2007 World Champion for a second time, after accumulating an unassailable lead at the head of the standings.
He successfully defended his title during the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix to become a three time world champion and join a select group of seven other riders at the time. He also helped Denmark win the
2008 Speedway World Cup
The 2008 FIM Nordicbet Speedway World Cup (SWC) is the 8th Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM Speedway World Cup season. The final took place on 19 July 2008 in sports, 2008 in Vojens, Denmark. The tournament was won by host team D ...
(his second) and would go on to win four in total after winning again in
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
and
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
.
He continued to perform at the major championships riding in every Grand Prix series until his last in the
2018 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2018 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 24th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 73rd FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the eighteenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company.
The ...
2015 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2015 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 70th edition of the official World Championship and the 21st season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, deciding the FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the fifteenth series under the promotion of Be ...
.
After international retirement he continued to ride in domestic speedway in Denmark, Sweden and Poland. In 2022, he suffered a serious crash when riding for
Grudziądz
Grudziądz (, ) is a city in northern Poland, with 92,552 inhabitants (2021). Located on the Vistula River, it lies within the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and is the fourth-largest city in its province.
Grudziądz is one of the oldest citie ...
in Poland, breaking his hip and pelvis. He missed the remainder of the season. Pedersen returned to British speedway in 2023, when he signed for Peterborough for the SGB Premiership 2023; he had previously ridden in Britain for the club in 2011. However, after crashing and picking up an injury in his first ride he resigned from the club.
In 2023, as the joint Danish team manager he was part of the Danish team that won the bronze medal in the
2023 Speedway World Cup
The 2023 FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 18th Speedway World Cup, an international motorcycle speedway world championship tournament organised by the FIM. The 2023 edition was the first since 2017 and took place between 25 July and 29 Jul ...
final. He chose to ride just once in the final itself.
Family
His brother, Ronni Pedersen, has also ridden in the Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup.
2004 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2004 Speedway Grand Prix was the 59th edition of the official World Championship and the tenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era used to determine the Speedway World Champion.
After finishing second in 2001, 2002 and 2003, Jason Crum ...
- 5th (113 pts)
*
2005 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2005 Speedway Grand Prix was the 60th edition of the official World Championship and the 11th season in the Speedway Grand Prix era used to determine the Speedway World Champion.
Event format
The format was changed for GP 2005 with 16 ri ...
2009 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2009 Speedway Grand Prix was the 64th edition of the official World Championship and the 15th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, deciding Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Speedway World Championship. It is the third series unde ...
- 6th (110 pts)
*
2010 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2010 Speedway Grand Prix was the 65th edition of the official World Championship and the 16th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, deciding the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the tenth se ...
2015 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2015 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 70th edition of the official World Championship and the 21st season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, deciding the FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the fifteenth series under the promotion of Be ...
- 3rd (131 pts)
*
2016 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2016 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 22nd season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 71st FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the sixteenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company. Tai W ...
- 13th (62 pts)
*
2017 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2017 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 23rd season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 72nd FIM Speedway World Championship. It was seventeenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company.
The wo ...
- 20th (8 pts)
*
2018 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2018 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 24th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 73rd FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the eighteenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company.
The ...
- 11th (74 pts)
World team Championships
*
2000 Speedway World Team Cup
The 2000 Speedway World Team Cup was the 41st edition of the FIM Speedway World Team Cup to determine the team world champions. It was the last time that the event was known as the Speedway World Team Cup because as from 2001 it was called the ...
2002 Speedway World Cup
The 2002 Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 2nd Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM Speedway World Cup season. The final took place on 10 August 2002 in Peterborough, England. The tournament was won by Australia national speedway tea ...
- 2nd
*
2003 Speedway World Cup
The 2003 Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 3rd FIM Speedway World Cup season. The final took place on 9 August 2003 in Vojens, Denmark. The tournament was won by Sweden (62 pts) and they beat Australia (57 points), host team Denmark (53 pts) a ...
- 3rd
*
2004 Speedway World Cup
The 2004 Speedway World Cup was the 4th Speedway World Cup, FIM Speedway World Cup season. The final took place on 7 August 2004 in Poole, England. The tournament was won by Sweden national speedway team, Sweden (49 pts) and they beat host team, ...
2006 Speedway World Cup
The 2006 Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 6th FIM Speedway World Cup season. The Final took place on 22 July 2006 in the Smallmead Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The tournament was won by Denmark (45 pts) and they beat Sweden (37 pts ...
- Winner
*
2007 Speedway World Cup
The 2007 Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 7th FIM Speedway World Cup season. The Final took place on 21 July 2007 in the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium in Leszno, Poland. The tournament was won by host team Poland (55 pts) and they beat defending cha ...
- 2nd
*
2008 Speedway World Cup
The 2008 FIM Nordicbet Speedway World Cup (SWC) is the 8th Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM Speedway World Cup season. The final took place on 19 July 2008 in sports, 2008 in Vojens, Denmark. The tournament was won by host team D ...
2013 Speedway World Cup
The 2013 FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the thirteenth Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, FIM Speedway World Cup, the annual international Motorcycle speedway, speedway world championship tournament. It took place between 13 July an ...
2015 Speedway World Cup
The 2015 Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the fifteenth FIM Speedway World Cup, the annual international speedway world championship tournament. It took place between 6 June and 14 June 2015 and involved nine national teams. It ...
- 2nd
*
2023 Speedway World Cup
The 2023 FIM Speedway World Cup (SWC) was the 18th Speedway World Cup, an international motorcycle speedway world championship tournament organised by the FIM. The 2023 edition was the first since 2017 and took place between 25 July and 29 Jul ...