Preben Eriksen

{{Infobox Speedway rider

| image =

| name= Preben Eriksen

| nationality = Danish

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|8|9|df=y}}

| birth_place = Odense, Denmark

| career1 = Denmark

| years2 =

| career2 =

| years3 =

| career3 =

| years4 =

| career4 =

| career5 = Great Britain

| years6 = 1977, 1984-1988

| career6 = Wolverhampton Wolves

| years7 = 1979-1983

| career7 = Ipswich Witches

| years8 = 1989

| career8 = Mildenhall Fen Tigers

| teamyear1 = 1984, 1985

| teamhonour1 = World Team Cup

| teamyear2 = 1981

| teamhonour2 = British League KO Cup winner

}}

Preben Kollster Eriksen (born 9 August 1958) in Odense, Denmark,Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. {{ISBN|0-948882-00-X}} is a former motorcycle speedway rider from Denmark.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=22 June 2023}} He earned 41 caps for the Denmark national speedway team.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=29 August 2024}}

Career

Eriksen rode with the Wolverhampton Wolves in 1977 but was recalled by the Danish Federation because he was refused clearance over the fact that he did not have senior status.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19790223/051/0051 |title=Eriksen on way back to Wolves |website=Birmingham Mail |date=23 February 1979 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 August 2024}} His return to Wolves was thwarted when Ipswich Witches beat them to his signature for the 1979 British League season.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002192/19790428/519/0056 |title=It's wary Wolves |website=Sports Argus |date=28 April 1979 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 August 2024}} He spent five years at Ipswich, building his average up from 4.45 in 1979 to 8.83 in 1982 and won the Knockout Cup in 1981. He finally joined Wolves for the 1984 British League season{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002192/19840303/005/0005 |title=Wolves boosted by Ravn signing |website=Sports Argus |date=3 March 1984 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 August 2024}} and spent five years with the Midlands club.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003126/19860226/392/0028 |title=There'll be no comeback for Monmore ace Bobby |website=Wolverhampton Express and Star |date=26 February 1986 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 September 2024}}

He was part of the Danish national team during their period of domination during the 1980s and won the World Team Cup with Denmark in 1984 and 1985, riding alongside some of the world's best riders at the time Hans Nielsen, Erik Gundersen and Tommy Knudsen.

World Final Appearances

= Individual World Championship =

1981 - {{flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - reserve - did not ride

= World Team Cup =

1982 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, White City Stadium (with Ole Olsen / Hans Nielsen / Erik Gundersen / Tommy Knudsen) - 2nd - 27pts (4)
1984 - {{Flagicon|POL}} Leszno, Alfred Smoczyk Stadium (with Bo Petersen / Erik Gundersen / Hans Nielsen) - Winner - 44pts (9)
1985 - {{Flagicon|USA}} Long Beach, Veterans Memorial Stadium (with Bo Petersen / Tommy Knudsen / Erik Gundersen / Hans Nielsen) - Winner - 37pts (5)

References

Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:Danish speedway riders

Category:Wolverhampton Wolves riders

Category:Ipswich Witches riders

Category:Danish expatriate speedway riders in England

Category:Mildenhall Fen Tigers riders

Category:Sportspeople from Odense

Category:Motorcycle races from the Region of Southern Denmark