HJ:
Tom, you first rode for Berwick back in 1999.
What made you sign for them and what made you come over to the UK back then?
TPM: Nicki Pedersen, and then Bjarne Pedersen had the same
agent as l had and l was put in touch with Bandits boss Peter Waite and l liked
what he had to say so
signed for them.
HJ: A year on and you signed for King’s Lynn in the Elite
League - how did that come about?
TPM: Well l had guested on a few occasions for the Stars and l had always got on
well with Buster Chapman.
King’s Lynn was where l wanted to be at the time and it seemed only right to go
there, besides l wanted to race Elite League and the opportunity was too good to
miss.
HJ: You have ridden previously for Oxford, Ipswich and
then Reading last year.
Was it a disappointment to see Reading close down?
TPM: Sad isn’t it. No one likes to see speedway tracks close down, least of all
the one you are riding for.
I had a good season at Reading, loved the track which was absolutely fantastic
to race on.
To be honest l really fear for them now.
Not many tracks come back once they close down - l hope l’m wrong!
HJ: So moving on up to the
present time, what made you come to Stoke?
TPM: I had a chance to come here about four years ago but for one thing or
another it didn’t happen and to be honest l’ve always liked racing at Stoke.
The chance to race here regularly was too good to miss.
Like it was at King’s Lynn this is where l want to be now.
I had spoken on a few occasions with Nigel (Crabtree) last season and he told
me this was the place to be and l have to say l was impressed with his
enthusiasm for the club.
Dave (Tattum) spoke to me last November so the deal was done.
I’m glad it was too as l’m absolutely loving it here now.
HJ: Was the move made easier because there were two other
Danes in the Stoke line-up?
TPM: No l wouldn’t say so.
HJ: Had you known about Klaus and Jesper before you came
here?
TPM: This might surprise a few people, but no l didn’t.
I know we are all Danish riders but l had only met them in racing against them
last season.
Now we are all friends together and fighting for the same cause.
Last Saturday Jesper had a problem and l helped him out and that’s the sort of
spirit we are all looking for in the Stoke team.
We are all pulling in the right direction now, especially after a few good wins
under our belts.
HJ: Your early season form was disappointing - why do you
think that was?
TPM: All l know is it wasn’t me, it was the bikes.
You look at a lot of things when this happens.
I was confident it wasn’t me, so much can go wrong with your bikes and of the
two l have one blew last week and we’ll have to sort that out.
I’ve had ignition problems too but hopefully that’s all behind me now.
HJ: In recent weeks you have turned the form book upside
down and are now knocking in some impressive returns why do you think that is?
TPM: As l said - the bikes have been a whole lot better, and besides now that we
have had a few meetings behind us things have started to go in the right
direction.
HJ: What do you think about the Stoke track?
TPM: Well we certainly don’t get home track advantage that’s for sure.
It’s such a good racers track that almost every visiting rider enjoys racing
here.
It’s well prepared and is always in good condition.
Having said that if you miss the start then you know there are different lines
to be able to pass on, so l guess it works well in other areas.
HJ: I understand you are married to an English girl - is
that right?
TPM: No, Samantha and l are not married but let’s just say we should be, and we
will be - one day. We’ve just not got around to it - but we will soon l’m sure.
We’ve been together now for eight years and have two children in Jennifer who
is five, and Halden who is three.
HJ: Tomorrow Potters go to King’s Lynn, although l gather
you could push your bike from home to the Norfolk Arena - is that right?
TPM: Yeah that’s right, l guess l’ll leave about five to six for the track.
I love it at King’s Lynn and have always got on well with Buster as l said
earlier.
This past winter l’ve done some concreting for him on the terracing at
Saddlebow, and over the years have done a number of other jobs there too, such
as helping to put up the log cabins on the fourth turn.
HJ: What is it about the King’s Lynn area you like?
TPM: Having been with King’s Lynn for five years it was only natural to settle
there, but l guess being at Stoke now suggests that it might not be the best
place to get to speedway meetings from anymore.
I’m not sure how long we’ll be in King’s Lynn.
HJ: How long does it take you to get to Stoke each
Saturday?
TPM: About three hours!
HJ: What are your interests outside of speedway?
TPM: I do a lot of Motor Cross and used to have a membership at King’s Lynn Golf
Club, but l’ve let that lapse this year.
HJ: Which other sport are you in to and what sport on the
TV apart from speedway, do you always watch?
TPM: I absolutely love my football.
Manchester United is my pro team, but l love watching the Linnets, King’s Lynn
locally.
I try to watch 2-3 matches a week at any level - l can’t get enough of it.
I guess it helps me to relax for speedway, and l’ve been to Old Trafford a few
times down the years as well, which is great!
HJ: Do you still race back home in Denmark?
TPM: No not any more.
Of course l used too and l always wanted to put something back into Danish
speedway but the sport is going through difficult times back home financially.
HJ: You are 32 later this year - how long do you want to
continue to race
speedway?
TPM: I knew you would ask me that - to be honest l don’t know, and don’t even
want to think about an answer.
Let’s just say that l’m enjoying my speedway and l’m enjoying riding for Stoke.
HJ: Having two young Danes in Potters side do you feel any
more responsibility to keep an eye on them and give
them the benefit of your experience?
TPM: Not really, l know we can all help each other and while l’m more
experienced l’m always keen to pick up tips from any of the Potters riders.
HJ: What’s your aim in 2009?
A: I’ve never won the Premier League so to do that with Stoke in 2009 would be
fantastic.
To be honest l think we can do it too.
The boys have shown in recent weeks that we are getting things together and l
know one thing, we can all do even better.
I spoke with Jason and Lee last week and we talked about a number of things -
all positive l might add. If we do then watch us go!
