ANTONIO Lindback’s speedway rejuvenation has taken a big step forward following confirmation he has been given the wild card into the Swedish Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Pirates asset quit the sport over personal problems in late 2007 after being a regular starter in the World Championship from 2005 to 2007.

But after only a few months out he made a low-key return to speedway in the Swedish lower league last year and then hooked up with six-times world champion Tony Rickardsson as his manager this term.

Impressing on his comeback at the top level this season, Lindback has gained his reward by being awarded the wild card into the Swedish GP at Gothenburg on May 30.

Paul Bellamy, of GP promoters BSI, said: “Antonio is a very gifted rider and it’s fantastic news he’s able to compete at the top level in speedway once again.

“At 24, he is still young and with the right guidance I’m sure he will be able to harness the talent he clearly has and put in a strong performance at Ullevi.

“Sweden continues to produce fine speedway riders, including the current leader of the World Championship Fredrik Lindgren.

“With Andreas Jonsson and now Antonio also in the line up for the Swedish GP, I’m sure the Swedish fans will have plenty of reason to celebrate on May 30.”

Lindback, who finished 10th in the 2005 and 2006 championships, last appeared in a GP at Krsko, Slovenia, on September 22, 2007, the year he ended up 15th overall and failed to re-qualify.

He had made a stunning breakthrough into British speedway in 2003 when he scorched to a flawless 19 paid 21 point maximum from seven rides on his Poole debut as they crushed Exeter 58-32 at home in the British League Cup.

Lindback, who starred for Pirates from then on until 2006, equalled Craig Boyce’s long-standing club record from 1990 with that performance, a score only beaten since by Bjarne Pedersen with 22 paid 23 in 2005, and 21 in 2006.

The Swede, currently Poole’s track record holder, impressed in Pedersen’s testimonial at Wimborne Road in March when he scored nine paid 11 and was then third in the individual final.

Pirates chief Matt Ford, set to make changes to their struggling team after tomorrow’s Elite League visit to Swindon, has said Lindback wouldn’t think twice before helping out Poole if they needed him this year.