Triple world champion Nicki Pedersen ends his absence from Sweden’s Bauhaus Elitserien after agreeing terms with Malilla club Dackarna for 2025.
The Danish team manager, who turns 48 in April, has not raced in Sweden’s top division since he helped Masarna lift the league title in 2020.
The Speedway GP legend is already working hard on his fitness as he also prepares to return to Poland’s PGE Ekstraliga with newly-promoted Rybnik.
He told the Dackarna official website: “On the first of December, I started preparing by training and eating well at least six days a week. It's about wanting to get down to the weight where I know my engines work best.
“I'm not getting any younger and when I'm going to ride in the top league in both Poland and Sweden, I know that a certain level is required to be able to perform well.
“I had a very good season in Poland where I also proved that I could ride a whole season without suffering injuries. I feel like I'm seriously back after some tough injuries. The body feels good.
“I will be well prepared for the season, and I am still very hungry and want to do well. My plan is to be an important rider for my teams. We must succeed together and that is where my focus lies rather than on succeeding individually.”
Pedersen is keen to give his Dackarna team mates the benefit of his vast experience as he returns to the club he last represented in 2014 and 2015.
He said: “Dackarna has an interesting team with good guys. I'm not saying they should learn from me, but I think they can take help from me and at the same time I can take help from them and learn things. I have always liked riding in Sweden, so it feels good to be back. There are good tracks, the fans are nice and the people around the clubs are always very nice. It makes me feel welcome.
“The track in Målilla is a track that most people like to ride on. It is a fantastic home track that is always well prepared. If you are fast, you will be really fast, but if you are not ready with the right machines you will have problems.”
Pedersen will continue his role as Danish team manager, leading the national side into the FIM Speedway of Nations, which takes place at Torun’s Marian Rose Motoarena from September 30-October 4. He has no concerns about continuing his dual role of rider and coach. “I feel that it can be combined in a good way, so it's not something I feel stressed about,” Pedersen insisted.