Zorro overcomes Elite fears (From Bournemouth Echo)

Zorro overcomes Elite fears

7:00am Wednesday 18th June 2008

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MAGNUS Zetterstrom has revealed he had major doubts about whether he could cut the mustard at Elite League level again with Pirates.

Poole Castle Cover's former captain spent three years in the Premier League with Somerset before rejoining the top flight club last month.

But, although he was the top star in the second tier, Zorro always felt there was a big question mark over whether he would make the grade if handed an Elite recall.

Asked if he ever felt he might not be up to Elite standard after a three-year absence, Zetterstrom said: "Definitely.

"I was thinking I can't do it'. I thought that many times.

"That's not how I wanted to finish my career. I want to be remembered as a good rider.

"At the same time as I was thinking that, I was also thinking I'm still a good rider'.

"I'm 36 now but I look after my body and myself. I know I can still race against the top boys and do well.

"I'm a little bit up and down but that's nothing new. I've been like that since I first came to Poole as a 24-year-old in 1996!"

Zetterstrom, who admitted he always dreamt of a Pirates return, said: "I knew talk among the fans was Please Zorro come back to Poole, we need you' earlier this season.

"But the fans don't always see the difference between the Premier and Elite leagues.

"That worried me. But from day one, (Poole chief) Matt Ford has always been a big believer and great friend of mine and said he'd give me time to get it right."

The charismatic Swede, who plundered a scintillating 15 paid 17 in Poole's home triumph over Wolves last week, continued: "It was great to beat Chris Harris.

"That was a real confidence booster because he's a great racer.

"I'm riding with confidence and feeling happy in myself - that's key.

"I've got three new engines, one from Craig Boyce, one from Peter Johns and one from Phil Crump.

"They're all set up to my personal requirements and I hope those engines will serve me well for the next few months.

"I don't just want to focus on engines though. You can give me Jason Crump's engine or Nicki Pedersen's engine, but that doesn't mean you'll score big points.

"If the body is correct then you'll feel right and that's the feeling I had against Wolves."

Zetterstrom's spectacular victory dance with Adam Skornicki following their 5-1 against Wolves brought the house down.

Zorro said: "We enjoyed it as much as the fans.

"Everyone was saying What is going to happen when the two showmen get a 5-1'? Everyone thought we'd both do an identical dance.

"So I said to Adam Why not go around me with the donut while I do my dance' and I thought it worked well."

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