FAST-RISING Dane Michael Jepsen Jensen gave a Hoddesdon master-class as the Readypower Panthers completed their Elite League preparations with victory in Saturday’s challenge match at Rye House.
Jepsen Jensen dropped just one point from six outings at reserve in what proved to be a close encounter between two well-matched teams, with Panthers able to give a run-out to four of their regular squad members.
Along with Jepsen Jensen they were well-served by guest Edward Kennett, who also only dropped one point on his former home track, with the Rockets’ guest No.1 Tai Woffinden – another former Rye man – impressing too.
A fall for Olly Allen in Heat 7 helped the Rockets to go into a six-point lead, and they maintained that margin initially when Luke Bowen became the only man to beat Jepsen Jensen in the next race.
But Jensen and Kennett defeated Charlie Gjedde in Heat 9 to bring the Panthers back into contention, and although they dropped back to four-down briefly, a further 5-1 from Linus Sundstrom and Claus Vissing levelled the scores with four heats to go.
Two shared races followed but Panthers made the big move in Heat 14 as Henning Bager came good along with Jensen for a 5-1 over Jason Garrity and Ricky Kling.
And Kennett, who had lost out to Woffinden in Heat 13, got his revenge in the final race with Sundstrom adding the insurance of third place to confirm Panthers’ win.
Doubling-up reserve Kyle Newman was forced to withdraw after his second ride, having aggravated a groin injury as he completed that race.
RYE HOUSE 42: Tai Woffinden 13, Luke Bowen 8+1, Charlie Gjedde 7+2, Jason Garrity 7, Ricky Kling 5+1, Jordan Frampton 2+1, Ritchie Hawkins 0.
PETERBOROUGH 48: Michael Jepsen Jensen 14+3, Edward Kennett 13+1, Linus Sundstrom 8+1, Claus Vissing 5+2, Henning Bager 4, Olly Allen 3, Kyle Newman 1.