THREE-time world champion Nicki Pedersen has already made a break for mainland Europe as the Icelandic ash clouds continue to ground flights all over the continent.

Three-time world champion Nicki Pedersen has already made a break for mainland Europe as the Icelandic ash clouds continue to ground flights all over the continent.

The Stevenage-based racer has made the long journey to Denmark by car to link up with his back-up team.

He will race for Swedish champions Lejonen in a challenge meeting against Dackarna tomorrow night, before making the trip to Poland for his opening Grand Prix of 2010 in Leszno on Saturday.

Following the air tragedy which killed Polish president Lech Kaczynski on Saturday, April 10, no meetings have taken place in the Ekstraliga. Meanwhile, the massive disruption to air travel has also left riders struggling for track action.

While some SGP stars will take to the shale cold in the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium on Saturday night, Pedersen was determined to get some track time and had no qualms about making the drive to Scandinavia.

He told his official website: “I will not risk getting stuck in an airport because planes cannot get into the air. My next meeting is on Tuesday in Sweden, but no-one knew for sure when it will be possible to fly.

“I have therefore chosen to drive to Denmark in good time, so I do not have to stress over whether I can possibly get away with flying.

“Nobody knows whether we can fly to Poland during the week. My team is already driving to Poland on Thursday, and we have not yet decided if I will follow in the bus or how we organise it.

“The most important thing initially is that I am sure I will race on Tuesday in Sweden - it is the only race training I will get before the Grand Prix gets underway in Leszno.”

Pedersen is not the only man who has endured an extended journey. Belle Vue newcomer Tobias Kroner was lucky enough to lay his hands on a Eurostar ticket and will make his club debut against Ipswich in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday.

But Grand Prix star Hans Andersen is stranded in Scandinavia, along with team mates Peter Karlsson and Patrick Hougaard. British stars Chris Harris and Simon Stead have been drafted in as guests, while Aces will operate rider replacement for Hougaard.

Eastbourne have also been affected by the travel chaos and are without No.1 Matej Zagar for their trip to champions Wolves. Former Eagles rider Edward Kennett will deputise.

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