Ulrich Ostergaard

Ulrich Østergaard
Personal information
Nationality Denmark
Date of birth April 19, 1981 (1981-04-19) (age 30)
Place of birth    Odense, Denmark
Current club information
British league Belle Vue Aces
Polish league Kolejarz Opole
Danish league Brovst
Career history
Eastbourne Eagles
Isle of Wight Islanders
Peterborough Panthers
Birmingham Brummies
Workington Comets
Reading Racers
Belle Vue Aces
2003-2005
2004-2005
2006
2007
2007
2008
2009
Individual honours
None
Team honours
Elite League Champion 2006

Ulrich Østergaard (born 19 April 1981 in Odense, Denmark)[1] is a Danish speedway rider, riding with the Belle Vue Aces in the British Elite League.

Career

Østergaard initially came to the United Kingdom for a trial with the Trelawny Tigers in 2002 and impressed the management as they offered a contract immediately. However the BSPA did not ratify the deal due to the complex points limit in operation that season. Østergaard was eventually signed by the Eastbourne Eagles to ride in the ill-fated British League Cup during 2003. The 2004 season saw Østergaard gain his first full time UK ride with the Isle of Wight Islanders, where he stayed for two seasons, doubling up with the Eastbourne Eagles in the Elite League. In 2006 he was signed by the Peterborough Panthers, winning the Elite League title. 2007 saw Østergaard step down a division to ride for the Birmingham Brummies,[2] but after falling out with the management he signed for the Workington Comets.[3][4]

Østergaard signed for the Reading Racers in 2008 for the start of their new season back in the Premier League after a two year stint in the Elite League. He started the season with an average of 8.27, filling the number three spot on the Racers line up.[5] By the end of the season, he had topped Reading's averages with a 10.33 figure. He was also named 2008 Premier League Rider of the Year by the Speedway Riders Association.[6]

References

  1. ^ Oakes, P.(2004). British Speedway Who's Who. ISBN 0-948882-81-6
  2. ^ "Birmingham swoop for Ostergaard". BBC Sport. 2006-12-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/speedway/6168903.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
  3. ^ "Birmingham opt to axe Ostergaard". BBC Sport. 2007-08-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/speedway/6933138.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
  4. ^ "Ostergaard joins Comets". News and Star. 2007-08-07. http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/1.4548. Retrieved 2008-09-12. 
  5. ^ Bamford, Robert (2008). Methanol Press Speedway Yearbook 2008. Methanol Press. ISBN 978-0-9553103-5-5. 
  6. ^ "2008 SRA Awards Dinner". BSPA. 2008. http://www.british-speedway.co.uk/news.php?extend.1995.1. Retrieved 2008-11-08.