Speedway: Pijper performs well in his Bonanza debut at Berwick

Edinburgh Monarchs’ Dutch speedway ace Theo 
Pijper scored six points on his debut in Saturday’s Ben Fund Bonanza meeting at Berwick’s Shielfield Park. The event was won by King’s Lynn’s Mads Korneiulssen, who was the star performer in the qualifying heats with four easy wins to his credit.

And the Elite League rider fully deserved his victory as he had to fight from the back in the Grand Final. His main rivals in the showdown were Claus Vissing who is unattached, and Swindon Robins’ Hans Andersen.

Korneiulssen quickly passed Andersen before reeling in Vissing with a superb last bend pass to clinch his victory in style.

The meeting was held in almost sub-zero temperatures but the track held up well and produced some decent racing despite some heavy rain which had fallen two days prior to the meeting.

Pijper tried out some new equipment and was more than satisfied with his effort after snatching a point against Eastbourne’s Cameron Woodward in his opening race. But the Dutchman was unlucky after making the gate in heat seven when the race was stopped and in the rerun he had to settle for second spot behind Vissing.

A third place against James Wright in heat 13 was followed up by another second place in heat 19 when Kozza Smith fell.

“I enjoyed the experience and was quite satisfied with how I rode,” said Pijper.

Last year’s winner Ben Barker won his first two qualifying races, but a last place ended his chances of successfully defending his crown.