Linus Eklöf
{{short description|Swedish speedway rider}}
{{Infobox Speedway rider
| image = Linus Ekloef.jpg
| name = Linus Eklöf
| nationality = Swedish
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|3|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Eskilstuna, Sweden
| career1 = Sweden
| years2 = 2015
| career2 = Ornarna
| years3 = 2016-2018
| career3 = Smederna
| years4 = 2021-2022
| career4 = Lejonen
| career11 = Poland
| years12 = 2007-2009
| career12 = Gniezno
| career17 = Great Britain
| years18 = 2009–2010
| career18 = King's Lynn Stars
| years19 = 2010
| career19 = Peterborough Panthers
| years20 = 2011
| career20 = Berwick Bandits
| years21 = 2011–2012
| career21 = Belle Vue Aces
| years22 = 2012, 2013
| career22 = Leicester Lions
| years23 = 2015
| career23 = Plymouth Devils
| career24 = Denmark
| years25 = 2011
| career25 = Fjelsted
| years26 = 2013, 2018
| career26 = Slangerup
| teamyear1 = 2008
| teamhonour1 = U-19 European Champion
| teamyear2 = 2009
| teamhonour2 = Premier League
| teamyear3 = 2009
| teamhonour3 = Premier Trophy
| teamyear4 = 2009
| teamhonour4 = Premier League Knockout Cup
| teamyear5 = 2017, 2018, 2019
| teamhonour5 = Swedish Elitserien Champion
}}
Linus Eklöf (born 3 March 1989)Świat Żużla, No 1 (77) / 2009, pages 44-45, {{ISSN|1429-3285}} is a Swedish former motorcycle speedway rider,{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=7 September 2024}} who won the Team U-19 European Champion title in 2008.
Career
In 2009 he rode in the Premier League in the UK, averaging over six points per match for treble-winning King's Lynn Stars, staying with them in 2010 (averaging over 7 that season) and also riding in the Elite League for Peterborough Panthers."[http://www.speedwaygb.co/riderindex11_e.html Rider Index]", speedwaygb.co, retrieved 2012-07-07 He left British speedway in June 2010 for personal reasons, returning in 2011 with Berwick Bandits in the Premier League and Belle Vue Aces in the Elite League.{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/speedway/linus-eklof-joins-the-aces-revolution-678804 |title=Linus Eklof joins the Aces revolution |website=Manchester Evening News |access-date=7 September 2024 }}
He reached the Swedish individual final in 2010. In July 2012 he was signed by Premier League Leicester Lions"[http://www.speedway365.com/index.php/premier-league/team-news/leicester-lions/2768-lions-sign-linus-ekloef Lions Sign Linus Eklöf] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130202163814/http://www.speedway365.com/index.php/premier-league/team-news/leicester-lions/2768-lions-sign-linus-ekloef |date=2013-02-02 }}", speedway365.com, 6 July 2012, retrieved 2012-07-07 after leaving Belle Vue.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/16411585 |title=Belle Vue Aces sign Swedish rider Linus Eklof |website=BBC Sport |access-date=10 September 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/speedway/18352909 |title=Belle Vue Aces sign former Poole Pirates rider Renat Gafurov |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 September 2024 }}
In 2022, he came out of retirement to help with the rider shortage (due to injuries) at Lejonen.{{cite magazine |author= |title=Speedway Around The Globe - Sweden |url=|magazine=Speedway Star |page=40 |location= |publisher= |date=27 August 2022 |access-date=}}
Career details
= World Championships =
- Individual U-21 World Championship
- 2007 - 18th place in Qualifying round 2 as track reserve
- 2008 - 11th place in Semi-Final 1
- Team U-21 World Championship (Under-21 World Cup)
- 2009 - {{flagicon|POL}} Gorzów Wlkp. - 3rd place (5 pts)
= European Championships =
- Individual U-19 European Championship
- 2008 - {{flagicon|GER}} Stralsund - 8th place (8 pts)
- Team U-19 European Championship
- 2008 - {{flagicon|POL}} Rawicz - European Champion (11 pts)