BIRKEMOSE'S UNFORGETTABLE SON DEBUT

Teenage star Marcus Birkemose admits making his Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations debut for Denmark was “an unforgettable night” as he bids to win more medals with his country.

The 17-year-old enjoyed a sublime 2020 season, finishing third in his first Danish Championship Final, as well as winning the national under-21 title and the European Under-21 crown.

He capped it off by helping the Danes bag the bronze medals at the Monster Energy SON Final in Lublin on October 17 – Denmark’s first top-three finish since they won Speedway World Cup silver at Vojens in 2015.

Birkemose scored five points from two rides – taking more than his mandatory one outing – and was delighted to team up with FIM Speedway Grand Prix duo Leon Madsen and Anders Thomsen to help put Denmark back on the box.

He said: “The SON was so, so nice for me. It was my first time at a really big event, so to be around Anders and Leon there was unforgettable. They are some of the biggest riders in Denmark and Poland and they are such nice guys. We had great fun together.

“When you get two heats and you’re only supposed to get one, you want to do the business. I just thought ‘now I’ve got to show them who I am and just try do the best I can.’ I’m only a youngster and I was riding alongside the best speedway riders in the world.

“I just decided to chill and see how it went. I didn’t want to put pressure on myself for that meeting. It was an unforgettable night for me to race in Lublin against the big guys.”

Birkemose’s first-ever ride for the national senior side saw him claim a pivotal second place ahead of Madsen in heat 10 against Sweden, which ensured they pipped their Scandinavian rivals to bronze after the countries tied on 19 points.

The man himself didn’t realise the significance of that 5-4 win at the time. He also didn’t know one of the sport’s strongest nations had been without a senior world team medal for five years.

With Birkemose available to represent Denmark as an under-21 rider at the next four Monster Energy SON tournaments, he’s keen to play his part in keeping the medals coming.

“I thought it had only been three years,” he said. “Hopefully we can get Denmark back on track again and win some more.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning