Magnus Karlsson will form a formidable spearhead in the Elliott sponsored Leicester team this season with Kauko Nieminen, and the Finnish National Champion has been very happy to commit himself to riding in Magnus’s Testimonial at Leicester on 17th March.
Both arrived at Beaumont Park within a week of one another during July and together their presence helped the Lions to end their season on a winning note. Kauko says: “Magnus is so easy to get on with. I’ve known him quite a long time but it’s only last year we have managed to ride in the same team together. So I’ve always been against him and he’s always good to ride against, he’s a fair hard rider.
“He is a really likeable guy, we had a few laughs last year and hopefully it will carry on for a long time in the future as well. I think with Magnus and I and Lasse as well, we should be a strong team this season.
“We came to Britain about the same time so we have been riding against each other for ten years, and also in Sweden as well. I think pretty much every year we’ve been in the same leagues as well, but never actually in the same team. I think it was about time we rode together!
“He’s a funny bloke, I’ve never seen him lose his temper, and usually everyone fires up at least once in a year so we’ll see if it happens this year! When he gave me a call I said straight away, I’ll be there. He’s such a good laugh and I enjoy his company off the track as well as on.”
With eleven riders now confirmed the teams for the event are taking shape, and so far this is how they look:
LEICESTER SELECT: Kenneth Bjerre, Lasse Bjerre and Kauko Nieminen
SWEDISH SELECT: Freddie Lindgren and Ludvig Lindgren
MAGNUS SELECT: Peter Karlsson, Mikael Max, Magnus Karlsson and Bjarne Pedersen
REST OF THE WORLD: Nicki Pedersen and Lee Richardson
Jason Attwood, who took over the team manager’s role of the Lions in the summer, will be in charge of the Leicester Select quartet and Eric Boocock, the former England international and World Finalist will manage the Rest of the World side. Mats Olsson will come over to take charge of the Swedish Select which just leaves one appointment to be made as to who will oversee Magnus Karlsson’s team.
