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'It looks stupid!' - Nicki Pedersen rings referee to protest decision amid Speedway World Cup drama
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Published 26/07/2023 at 22:41 GMT+1
There were astonishing scenes during the final stages of the second semi-final of the Speedway World Cup, as Denmark's Rasmus Jensen was excluded from Heat 17 in Wroclaw. That didn't go down well with his fellow Danish rider and three-time world champion Nicki Pedersen, who sensationally rang the referee to protest the decision. "I'm sorry it looks stupid my friend," Pedersen said.
'You're looking a little bit stupid' - Pedersen unimpressed with Jensen exclusion
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There was drama at the death of the second Speedway World Cup semi-final in Wroclaw, Poland on Wednesday night as Denmark rider and team manager Nicki Pedersen took it upon himself to ring the referee and protest a decision made against his team.
The Danes held a lead as Heat 17 approached, with a place in Saturday's final looking theirs for the taking.
But then came an exclusion for Rasmus Jensen, who touched wheels with Finland's Antti Vuolas.
On viewing the replays, it was controversial but perhaps understandable - however Pedersen did not agree with the verdict, marching over to the phone booth to call the referee.
At first that phone didn't work, causing more chaos which eventually saw him get in touch via a mobile phone.
"You look a bit stupid if you exclude him for that, they touched and he's over, he doesn't crash by himself," Pedersen told the officials.
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'A big, big moment!' - Jensen excluded for Denmark in Heat 17
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"You need to look out for yourself as a referee and a professional. It's a very wrong decision, I'm sorry it looks stupid my friend.
"Everybody down here can see what happened, but that's OK it's your decision."
Once the racing had resumed, Denmark recovered to secure their place in the final as Anders Thomsen finished second in Heat 20, ensuring his men took their spot alongside Poland and Great Britain for Saturday's final.
Speaking afterwards, Pedersen explained why he had felt compelled to question the decision.
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'By the skin of their teeth' - Denmark reach Speedway World Cup final
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The language was very polite but I have to as a team manager, I’m fighting for my team and that’s how it is, it’s racing sometimes," he said.
"We could obviously see on the camera it was the wrong decision but that’s how it is sometimes, we pulled it back and made it to the final and I’m proud of Denmark."
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Stream the 2023 Speedway World Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+
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