Ulrich Østergaard
Born (1981-04-19) 19 April 1981
Odense, Denmark
NicknameUlle
NationalityDanish
Career history
Denmark
2000–2002, 2008–2009, 2022Brovst/Nordjsyk
2004–2005Fredericia
2003, 2006–2007, 2010Holsted
2011–2013Grindsted
2014–2015, 2021Fjelsted
2016Munkebo
2007, 2017–2018Holstebro
2019Esbjerg
Great Britain
2003–2005Eastbourne Eagles
2004–2005Isle of Wight Islanders
2005Swindon Robins
2006–2007, 2010, 2014–2022Peterborough Panthers
2007, 2011, 2019Birmingham Brummies
2007Workington Comets
2008Reading Racers
2009–2010, 2012–2013Belle Vue Aces
2012–2013, 2019Redcar Bears
2019Newcastle Diamonds
2020–2022Glasgow Tigers
Team honours
2006, 2019Elite League Champion
2017, 2018SGB Championship Fours Winner
2017SGB Championship KO Cup Winner

Ulrich Reinhold Østergaard (born 19 April 1981 in Odense, Denmark)[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider from Denmark.[2]

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 British Speedway Promoters' Association 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.[3] 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,[4] but after falling out with the management he signed for the Workington Comets.[5][6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

In 2014, he returned to Peterborough and would remain with them for nine seasons. He was part of the Peterborough team that won the SGB Championship Fours, which was held on 6 August 2017, at the East of England Arena.[9] He repeated the success the following season, helping Peterborough win the fours again, this time it was held on 1 July 2018, at the Media Prime Arena.[10]

Having started the 2019 season as Birmingham Brummies number 1 rider he was dropped by the Midlands team[11] and quickly re-signed for former team Redcar Bears.[12]

As of 2021, he rode in the top tier of British Speedway, riding for the Peterborough Panthers in the SGB Premiership 2021, in addition to the Glasgow Tigers in the SGB Championship 2021.[13] He was involved in a serious crash in July 2021 breaking bones in his back and wrist.[14]

In 2022, he rode for the Peterborough in the SGB Premiership 2022 and for the Glasgow in the SGB Championship 2022.[15]

In November 2022, he announced his retirement from competitive racing and an intention to manage a team in Denmark.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Oakes, P.(2004). British Speedway Who's Who. ISBN 0-948882-81-6
  2. ↑ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "2008 Rider index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Birmingham swoop for Ostergaard". BBC Sport. 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  5. ↑ "Birmingham opt to axe Ostergaard". BBC Sport. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  6. ↑ "Ostergaard joins Comets". News and Star. 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  7. ↑ Bamford, Robert (2008). Methanol Press Speedway Yearbook 2008. Methanol Press. ISBN 978-0-9553103-5-5.
  8. ↑ "2008 SRA Awards Dinner". BSPA. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  9. ↑ "2017 Fours final" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "2018 Fours final" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Brummies Bring in Aarnio - Speedway Star : Weekly Speedway Magazine and Xtra".
  12. ↑ "Bears snap up Ostergaard – and name Wright as captain!".
  13. ↑ "2021 Peterborough Panthers". Peterborough Speedway. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  14. ↑ "Ostergaard Suffers Back Injury and Broken Wrist in Crash at Edinburgh". Glasgow Tigers. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "British Speedway rider profile". British Speedway. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "Star interview with Ulrich Ostergaard". Speedway Star pages 1-2. 5 November 2022.
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