NICKI PEDERSEN called referee Aleksandr Latosinski “stupid” on a night of high drama in World Cup Semi-Final 2.
The first-ever national team manager/rider was furious when Rasmus Jensen was excluded from Heat 17 after a second bend tangle in Wroclaw, Poland.
But Denmark survived Jensen’s exit to beat Australia by one point to go directly to Saturday’s final and join Great Britain and Poland.
The Danes won with 42 ahead of the Aussies on 41, France 21 and Finland 16.
On the pit phone, Pedersen told Latosinki: “It is the wrong decision and you can see it on TV, sorry but it looks stupid my friend.
“Everyone down here can see it’s wrong. That’s OK, it's your decision. I respect that.”
After they wrapped up victory in the post-meeting celebrations, Pedersen added: “Even (Race Director) Phil Morris was surprised that the language was very polite. But I’m fighting for my team. That’s hard this is racing sometimes. But you could obviously see on the camera it was the wrong decision. That’s how it is sometimes.
“We pulled it back and made it to the final. I’m proud of Denmark.
“I haven’t had much sleep over the past couple of months. I’m really excited the boys have been extremely good.
“The team spirit that we had tonight. We need to have the yes caps on.
“We have lots of fun off the track. I’m so proud of the boys, they did very well.
“I even took myself out and put Rasmus in. I’m actually happy we went a bit downside towards the end of the meeting. That’s put us more on the edge for Saturday.
“I’m a proud team manager tonight and as a rider I had a lot of pressure on tonight.”
The Danes appeared to be cruising to victory until Jensen span round exiting the second bend in the first nominated heat. That allowed the Aussies to cut their lead to just three points when the excellent Jaimon Lidsey won the re-run.
But Anders Thomsen secured the second place in the final race, after being passed by Jason Doyle, to wrap up their place in Saturday’s final.
SWC Semi-final 2 result:
Denmark 42: Anders Thomsen 13, Leon Madsen 13, Mikkel Michelsen 8, Nicki Pedersen 6, Rasmus Jensen 2.
Australia 41: Jaimon Lidsey 16, Jack Holder 14, Jason Doyle 7, Max Fricke 4.
France 21: Dimitri Berge 14, David Bellego 5, Steven Goret 1, Mathieu Tressarieu 1, Mathias Tressarieu 0.
Finland 16: Timo Lahti 7, Antti Vuolas 6, Jesse Mustonen 3, Tero Aarnio 0.
Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.