Zorro: I thought I'd never come back to UK

7:00am Monday 29th September 2008

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PIRATES star Magnus Zetterstrom thought he would never ride in Britain again after being hit with a 28-day BSPA ban last year.

Zorro, as he's known, was also fined £1,000 for choosing to ride in a Polish play-off meeting instead of defending his Premier League Riders' Championship title on the same September day.

But today the Swedish champion exclusively told the Echo: "I'm so pleased I got the call from Poole to ride for them again in May.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd get the chance to ride in Britain again, let alone for the club I've always held closest to my heart.

"Twelve months ago, when I was banned, I certainly didn't think I'd be back here lining up in the Elite League play-offs.

"Now I'm here, I'm going to do my best to try and help Pirates win the title.

"It would be great if we could get past Ipswich at home tonight (7.30pm) and book our place in the final."

Zetterstrom, who captained Pirates to top-flight championship glory in 2004, added: "I was worried when I was banned last year.

"I thought that would be the end of my British speedway career.

"So it's great to be here now, especially when we're doing so well. I'm pleased to be in such a strong team.

"Mentally I was thinking I'm not going to get another chance in the Elite'. So I was surprised when Poole rang me up.

"I think I took about two seconds to agree to come back. I thought I want to do it straight away'."

"In the beginning when I came over I was behind everyone. They had done half a season, while I came over with a bike I'd never ridden on (after Zorro had sold all his British equipment last winter).

"It took me a while to get it right.

"It's a mental thing in speedway, and now everything is working so well, I'm very pleased.

"Once I had some help from W& S Recycling and Wessex Marine with a new engine, it just seems to have taken off since then.

"Now we've got to make sure we get into that final because that's what we've been fighting for all season.

"There's no option, we have to get out there and win tonight. We really want to be in the final."

Ipswich, who beat Poole 52-38 at Foxhall on Thursday, also won 50-40 at Wimborne Road in May.

But Pirates start as favourites after defeating Witches 51-41 at Foxhall in June and 59-34 at home on September 10.

Ipswich are likely to use Kenneth Bjerre as a guest for banned Jarek Hampel, while the Dorset club are at full strength.

Pirates: 1 Chris Holder, 2 Magnus Zetterstrom, 3 Bjarne Pedersen, 4 Adam Skornicki, 5 Davey Watt, 6 Freddie Eriksson, 7 Daniel Davidsson.

Ipswich: 1 Piotr Swiderski, 2 Tobias Kroner or rider replacement, 3 Guest to be confirmed, 4 Robert Miskowiak, 5 Rory Schlein, 6 Steve Johnston, 7 Chris Schramm, 8 Carl Wilkinson.