Tommy Knudsen

Tommy Knudsen (born 9 November 1961 in Roager, Denmark)[1] is a former Motorcycle speedway rider who won 11 World Championships in speedway competitions.

Tommy Knudsen
Born (1961-11-09) 9 November 1961
Roager, Denmark
Nationality Denmark
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1979-1988, 1990-1992Coventry Bees
Individual honours
1975, 1976Danish Under-16 Champion
1978Danish Under-21 Champion
1980European Under-21 Champion
1981, 1985, 1993Nordic Final winner
1982Pride of the East winner
1985, 1987, 1994Danish Gold Bar winner
1986Midland Riders' Champion
1987Mr Melbourne winner (AUS)
1988Lobos Tomicek Memorial winner
1997Danish Champion
1997Danish Final winner
1982, 1985Brandonapolis
1982Golden Gauntlets
1997Golden Gala - Italy
Team honours
1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988,World Team Cup
1985, 1991World Pairs Champion
1979British League Champion
1979Midland Cup
1980Midland League
Competition record
Representing  Denmark
Speedway World Championship
1981
Speedway World Team Cup
1981
1985
1986
1987
1988
1991
1995
1997
1982
1993
1990
1994
Speedway World Pairs Championship
1985
1991
1993
Intercontinental Cup
1986

Career

Knudsen first became known when he won the Danish Under-16 Championship in 1975 and 1976 before becoming the Danish Under-21 Champion in 1978.

He became Speedway World Pairs Champion in 1985 with individual World Champion Erik Gundersen and again in 1991 with Hans Nielsen and Jan O. Pedersen. Tommy was also European (World) Under-21 Champion in 1980.

In his first World Final appearance, Knudsen finished a career best 3rd in 1981 at Wembley Stadium in London after losing a ride-off for 2nd to countryman Ole Olsen. Knudsen had earlier defeated Olsen to win the opening heat of the World Final.

After winning the European U/21 title in 1980 and finishing 3rd in the World Final in 1981, a number of fans and members of the speedway press believed that Knudsen would become Denmark's next World Champion. Unfortunately for Knudsen, Denmark's next champion was Erik Gundersen who won the title in 1984 and 1985. Hans Nielsen would go on to win 4 World Championships while Jan O. Pedersen would win in 1991. Although he rode in a further five World Finals (1985, 1986, 1991, 1992 and 1994), Knudsen would never again finish on the podium in a World Final, his best placing being 4th in 1992.

Knudsen was also a member of the Danish team that won the Speedway World Team Cup in 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1995 and 1997. At the 1985 Final held in Los Angeles, Knudsen was undefeated on the night, famously holding out US team captain Bobby Schwartz in the penultimate heat to ensure Denmark could not be beaten.

He rode in the UK for the Coventry Bees from 1979 to 1988 and then from 1990 to 1992.[2]

Knudsen also raced in Australia during the 1980s, winning the "Mr Melbourne" title at the Melbourne Showgrounds in January 1987, and a week later finished third behind fellow Dane Hans Nielsen and American Rick Miller in the West End Speedway International at the Wayville Showground in Adelaide.

World final appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

World Team Cup

Individual Under-21 World Championship

Speedway Grand Prix results
Year Position Points Best Finish Notes
1995 10th 67 Winner Won German and Swedish Grand Prix
1996 11th 44 Winner Won Polish Grand Prix

References
  1. Tanner R. Speedway Star magazine (30 August 1986)
  2. http://www.coventrymotorspeedway.com/halloffame.htm Accessed 4 August 2007
  3. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
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