Bjarne's belief a key factor

7:00am Saturday 19th July 2008

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BJARNE Pedersen has revealed his notable step up in international form is partly down to help from sports psychology rather than a switch in engine firepower.

Pirates' captain has been harshly criticised in the past by some pundits who feel he has not quite cut the mustard at the very top level of speedway.

But the 2004 European Grand Prix champion was well on course to equal that feat in the British event at Cardiff last month before he was unfairly excluded by referee Marek Wojaczek.

Pedersen was also on fire at Coventry on Monday when he romped to 13 points as Denmark crushed Great Britain, Sweden and the Czech Republic to qualify for today's World Team Cup final.

The Poole Castle Cover man lines up for the Danes against Australia, Sweden and Poland at Vojens tonight (6pm) fired up to produce some more fireworks.

Asked what the key to his cup event two success was, Pedersen said: "My set-up was right from my first heat.

"I changed a bit for my third race but everything was working good.

"It's the same engine I've been using the whole season. It's not new.

"I've been changing a couple of things around. We've been working hard and I've been working on the mental side of things as well.

"I also have some good engine tuners. I'm spending a lot on my equipment, and I'm just pleased it's paying off."

Pedersen, who helped Denmark win the cup final at Reading in 2006, believes his team have a "50-50 chance" of prising the Ove Fundin Trophy back off Poland.

He said: "We have a side that looks very strong. But there will always be one team that surprises you in a final, and we know the Australians look strong.

"It'll be a hard one, but, hopefully, we can get our set-ups right and be on the pace from heat one."

Denmark are hot favourites to win, but Pedersen dismissed talk they only had to turn up at Vojens to triumph.

He said: "It's completely wrong because Coventry is more a home track to me than Vojens.

"I've raced more meetings in Coventry in the last five years and it's probably the same for most of the other Danish riders.

"We're not expecting to go there and automatically beat everyone. We know it'll be tough and that nothing is certain.

"I still feel the pain from last year when Poland stole the title from Denmark at Leszno."