After three rounds, he was at 9th position in the overall classification, with a 6-point loss to Antonio Lindbaeck. Not many thought then, that despite a slightly worse season, Nicki Pedersen would surprise everyone and grab the European Champion title in a big style.
Pedersen started rivalry in Speedway Euro Championship 2016 from a 12th position in Güstrow. Only seven reached points and one idividual win caused that Dane had no chance to advance to the race-off heat.
In Daugavpils it was even worse. Danish rider got only 6 points in 4 starts without any single heat won. In the last series, he was excluded after causing Peter Ljung's fall. Therefore, at the half of the whole series, next to Nicki Pedersen's name there was number 13.
Second part of the season in Speedway Euro Championship was way better for the Danish rider. In Togliatti, Pedersen proved his ambition to fight for podium. 10 points in the main series led "Power" to the race-off heat. There, he clashed with Vaclav Milik, which made Czech fall at the track. After watching repeat for several times, referee decided to exclude Milik and gave a chance to the other three.
Unluckily for Pedersen, referee hold the tape a bit longer than usual and rider aspiring to reach the final made a false start. Tape, false start and dreams of podium in Russia were done.
Then came the last round in Rybnik and it was Nicki Pedersen's night. Dane was presenting a passionate racing and in six heats, got only one defeat - to Przemysław Pawlicki. Next heats, he was finishing with a big advantage over hs rivals. The final heat was in fact a heat for the gold. There were no strong enough ones for Nicki. "Power" got a great start, set everyone at the first corner and ran fast towards the finish line. Right after crossing it, raised his hands in the gesture of triumph. It was the first gold medal in his tory of starts in SEC. In the past, he was close to reaching the championship, however there was always something crossing his plans. This time, after attacking from the second line, triple world champion proved everyone that his weaker form was a history and still he will be a tough opponent for all of his rivals.
It's worth mentioning that Nicki Pedersen is the only rider in SEC, who got the place at the podium each time he was starting. Until now, Dane got 1 gold medals, 2 silver and 1 bronze.
