PEDERSEN LEAVES PANTHERS

PETERBOROUGH are searching for a new signing after No.1 Nicki Pedersen left the club.

Pedersen completed less than one racing lap for the Panthers after crashing out of their Premiership opener against Ipswich just over a fortnight ago.

He said: “I have to pull out for now and resign, the body is just not fit enough with my injury for the technical British Speedway tracks.

“I hope you can find a replacement very quick and move on and focus on the main thing, winning the British league.”

A Panthers statement said: “It is a great shame that Nicki has had to leave. We understand and respect his reasons and wish him well for the remainder of the season.

“Nicki was very much the marquee signing we wanted to help Peterborough enjoy a great season, and we are now madly scouring the speedway world as we look to bring in a signing to replace him.

“We have already spoken to half a dozen very high-profile riders, who at this moment have all turned down the opportunity due to commitments in the Grand Prix or elsewhere in meetings abroad. Several of those riders have indicated that the situation may change later in the year.

“We will continue with this process as we look for the best replacement for Nicki that we can possibly bring in.”