Zorro has Swedish title target (From Bournemouth Echo)

Zorro has Swedish title target

7:00am Wednesday 16th July 2008 in

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ALL eyes may be firmly fixed on the World Team Cup this week, but Pirates reserve Magnus Zetterstrom is targeting a different crown.

Eskilstuna-born Zorro might have been left looking in from the outside as Sweden's team safely qualified for the race-off at Coventry on Monday.

But, despite being on standby for a late call-up if injuries hit Sweden ahead of the race-off at Vojens tomorrow, the experienced 36-year-old has other goals on his mind.

The Poole Castle Cover man said: "I've been doing great since I got back from my knuckle injury last month and won the semi-final qualifier for the Swedish Championship with 14 points.

"I rode well in that meeting at Grondal and it has given me a big lift before the final.

"I've been fourth twice in the national championship and this will be my 12th appearance in the final since 1994.

"To win it is a tough call because riders like Andreas Jonsson, Peter Karlsson, Jonas Davidsson and Fredrik Lindgren should fill the top four places.

"Even if PK doesn't ride in the Grand Prix any more, he's still a very good rider. They are the top challengers. But there's an opportunity for me to get on the podium.

"I have a very good chance to achieve that, just like everyone else.

"My goal is to finish in the top five, but if I could manage to finish on the podium that would be great.

"I was fifth last year, and fourth and fourth in my previous two finals, so it would be fantastic if I could make that next step."

The former European Championship winner added: "The Grondal meeting was on the same day as Craig Boyce's farewell meeting at Poole.

"I wanted to ride in Boycey's event, but had to line up in the Swedish semi which had been re-arranged only 10 days before after the original staging had been rained off, and I think it was the same for Antonio Lindback."

The Rio Rocket, a Pirates asset who had been in Boyce's original benefit line-up, was second behind Zetterstrom at Grondal.

Also in that meeting - and therefore also ruled out of participating in Boyce's meeting by international regulations - were current Poole riders Freddie Eriksson and Daniel Davidsson.

Eriksson joined Zorro and Lindback in qualifying for the final at MasarnaAvesta laterthis year, but Davidsson dipped out.