After the two SEC tournaments you are in the second place with the loss of just two points to Emil Sayfutdinov. Would you say that only in Kumla you will start the real battle for the gold medal?
- As always I will do my absolutely best in Kumla to score as many points as possible. And it would be great if I could pull back the two points on Emil, so we are on equal points before the final round.
In the inaugural tournament of SEC in Torun you took the first place but with how the tournament went it seemed that Russian would win. What was the reason of your success? Did you decide to "set the bike" just to start, or simply you were “in gas” after the race – off?
- I seem like I have been able to pull some good starts in the finals this year, and that is really good to be back on the top of the podiums.
In Landshut from the beginning you were very fast. Do you generally prefer very long tracks, like the one in Bavaria or more technical?
- There is no doubt that I have made many of my best results on big and long tracks. But to be champ you need to make good results on all type of tracks, so I need to be better on the small technical tracks.
It is impossible not to ask about the situation from the final in Germany. After the start you hooked a bike with Tomasz Gollob. How does the situation look like from your perspective?
- It was a strange situation, and after I have seen it on tv a couple of times there is no doubt that Gollob goes into my line, but that happens all the times in speedway. The unlucky thing was that Gollobs footwrist went into my frontwheel and I crashed hard.
Ahead of us there are the last two tournaments of Speedway European Championships series. The first already in mid-August in Swedish Kumla. What do you think about this stadium? Is there something in which you see your chances for a good start?
- I have always liked the Kumla track. Whenever I have raced there in the Swedish league I usually score some good points.
This season you have a chance of winning a few gold medals - both in teams and individually. Do you feel that this is the year when you're in the championship shape?
- There is no doubt that I am in a position, where it is possible to win some medals. I just have to concentrate on myself and then we see how the point stands at the end of the series.
In pits lot you often joke together with Antonio Lindbaeck before tournaments. The Swede is probably a positive surprise in the current SEC series?
- Antonio is a great character. He is always coming with a happy and smiling face, and I really like to have some fun with him. Besides that he is probably one of the most talented riders the speedway sport have ever seen.
Many people say that when you wear a helmet, you cut out completely from what is happening around. What thoughts does Nicki Pedersen have sitting on a motorcycle, just before showing up on a track?
- I try to have the same routines every time I enters a speedway track. Then I can be more focused on what really matters when I start the race.
Do you have some good ways to get rid of stress before events?
- Again I need to have some good routines. I always have a small rest for 45 min. about 3-4 hours before the meeting, and when I come to the track I have different routines with my pit crew.
This season, for the first time Denmark won Speedway Best Pairs Cup. How important is this title for you?
- This was a great start of the year for me. The Best Pairs Cup was the first really hard test for me, and after winning this event my self-confidence was boosted to go towards the beginning of the season.
Let's talk about your past for a while. Who was your idol when you sat down for the first time on a speedway bike?
- I was Jan O. Pedersen. He was racing for my first club Fjelsted Speedway Klub.
Is it true that you were very "lively" when you were a student? It is said that you often liked to call from there to England?
- We made a lot of fun when I was a young student. Yes you are right, that when I was sent to the principal’s office for not behaving in class, I used his phone to make some funny call to England.
What is Nicki Pedersen every day like? A volcano of energy, whether power alone?
- I am defiantly not the person just sitting around waiting for something to happen. I want to be in control of things, and when I get an idea I almost always fulfill it.
At the end of the most difficult question. Who will be the European Champion 2015?
- I would love to win the title, but I know I have to work very hard for it. But it looks like Emil is the person to beat to win it, and I will try to do that.
Thank You very much.
- Thank You.
