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Points to prove

Rivalries will be cranked up a notch, says Kelvin

Kelvin Tatum Posted 27th June 2011 view comments

There's no need to spice up this East Anglian derby; it already has all the makings of a classic.

King's Lynn's long-awaited return to the Showground won't be short of quality or rivalry and, for once, Peterborough won't even have to worry about the weather!

With Kenneth Bjerre and Niels-Kristian Iversen, the Panthers' leading performers last year, now riding for King's Lynn and Nicki Pedersen (who like Troy Batchelor is a former Stars rider) leading the way for Peterborough, we will get the chance to witness three top-name Danish riders going at it.

Tough to topple: only Greg Hancock could eclipse Pedersen at the British GP in Cardiff

Tough to topple: only Greg Hancock could eclipse Pedersen at the British GP in Cardiff

Both sides are desperate for the points, for different reasons, so expect the racing to be fast and fierce.

Momentum

King's Lynn have started the season really nicely and could go top of the Elite League with a convincing away victory.

In contrast, the hosts, who joined the league late and have suffered a lot of rain-offs, have got off to a slow start - but they are steadily building momentum.

It will be fascinating if it does go down to the wire because Bjerre and Iversen are going to be every bit as good as Pedersen and Batchelor around the Showground going into the back end of the meeting.

Kelvin Tatum
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The Panthers are unbeaten in their last three home Elite League meetings, partly because their track is probably as fast as any other in the country.

That may be less of an advantage against King's Lynn, because the Stars also boast a big, fast home track. Both sets of riders will come with powerful engines and fast motorbikes.

The sunshine sweeping the country will make it more difficult for the track curator to keep the ground moist and evenly watered, so that could well be a factor in the final outcome.

Quality

Unsurprisingly, team boss Trevor Swales is talking up the Panthers' chances of reaching the play-offs and why not? They have undoubted quality in their team.

Competition for those play-off positions, though, is very fierce this season and as things stand at present, they have a lot of ground to make up.

The return of Norbert Kosciuch will help them in their bid to build a strong home record, especially now that he has Elite League experience behind him. When a reserve can take seven rides, it is always important to have a strong option in that position.

I like the look of the visitors' line-up, too.

I saw Sam Masters for the first time when he was riding for Somerset last year and was really impressed with the way he performed, so I'm delighted to see that he is now getting the opportunity to ride at Elite League level.

The same goes for Norwich-born Olly Allan, who had a difficult time at Ipswich last year and dropped down into the Premier League. But now Elite League competition seems to be bringing the best out of him

Those two have bonded so well with the experienced Mads Korneliussen that it's no surprise to see King's Lynn in such a strong position in the league.

KELVIN'S CALL

It will be a major shock if King's Lynn win by more than seven points, unless the home team have a nightmare. I expect it to be much closer than that and can more readily see the Stars picking up a league point by losing by less than six in a tight encounter.

It will be fascinating if it does go down to the wire because Bjerre and Iversen are going to be every bit as good as Pedersen and Batchelor around the Showground going into the back end of the meeting. I've just got a feeling the hosts could nick it.

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