Ruud aims to reclaim his spot in Elite team
From the Echo, first published Wednesday 15th Oct 2003.
PIRATES reserve David Ruud has expressed his determination to get back into their Elite League team next year.
And he has stressed he harboured "no hard feelings" about being dropped from Poole's top-flight team to make way for Ales Dryml just before the title play-offs.
Ruud, who lines up for Pirates in their British League Cup semi-final, second leg, home tie against Belle Vue tonight (7.30pm), said: "It was Matt Ford's and Mike Golding's decision and there was nothing I could do about it.
"Of course I wanted to be here in the team, but they made the decision.
"I have no hard feelings over it. Things like that happen in speedway all the time and I would still like to ride in the Poole team next year.
"I have a 5.13 average or something like that and I feel that my riding has gone down a little bit compared with last year, especially in Sweden.
"I haven't scored as many points as last year but that is probably down to being here in England racing as well.
"I know how hard it is to ride in the Elite League now. But I have learnt a lot this year and I can be more prepared for racing in England next year.
"It is a learning process. It is really tough to have a full season in Sweden and England and I have done some meetings in Poland as well.
"Before I was racing only in Sweden. It was a big step for me this year, but it was one I had to make. That's why I am relatively happy with my form in England."
Ruud scorched to 14 points from five rides in Poole's 57-33 home win over Wokingham in the British League Cup quarter-final last week.
And he also notched up six paid seven at Belle Vue on Monday when Pirates won their semi-final, first leg, tie 49-41 and bowed out in the semi-final of Graeme Gordon's testimonial at Somerset after joint top-scoring with 10 points in the qualifying heats.
Talking about his last appearance at Poole against the Comets, Ruud said: "I went okay considering it was three weeks since I last rode after injuring muscles in my back and my kidney at Newcastle.
"I was pleased to do what I did against Workington. I felt I wasn't as quick from the gate but it had been five weeks since I last rode at Poole, so perhaps that was understandable.
"In the end, I felt great though, especially after losing my first ride but then winning four heats in a row."
Ruud will be hoping to play a key role for Pirates tonight as they bid to book a two-legged final against Eastbourne.
If Poole progress and keep their treble hopes alive, they will visit the Eagles in the first leg of the final on Saturday.
The second leg would be at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, October 29.
Jason Crump, Craig Watson, Jason Lyons and Neil Collins are confirmed starters for Belle Vue tonight but promoter John Perrin was still deciding who his other three riders would be at the time the Daily Echo went to press.
Pirates: 1 Craig Boyce, 2 Davey Watt, 3 Magnus Zetterstrom, 4 Antonio Lindback, 5 Bjarne Pedersen, 6 Scott Pegler, 7 David Ruud.
Belle Vue: 1 Jason Crump, 2 tbc, 3 Craig Watson, 4 Neil Collins, 5 Jason Lyons, 6 tbc, 7 tbc.
Travel cost is £12 per person and the coach will leave Poole Stadium car park at 2pm.
To book your seat, contact Mike Noble at the track shop tonight or phone him on 01202 387872
The Travel Club are likely to run coaches to Eastbourne on Saturday if Poole qualify. Speak to Mike Noble for more details.
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