Hans Andersen has announced his retirement!

[Hodgy]

HANS CALLS IT A DAY

DANISH star Hans Andersen has announced his retirement from the sport after a UK racing career spanning more than two decades.

The 43-year-old first came to this country with Poole in 2001 and went on to win top-flight league titles with Peterborough in 2006 and 2021, and with Swindon in 2012.

He also had spells with Ipswich, Coventry, Belle Vue and Leicester at Premiership level, and recent stints in the Championship with Plymouth and Berwick.

Individually he won four GPs and was twice placed fifth in the World Championship, as well as helping his country to two World Cup wins.

Andersen said: “It’s something I’ve been thinking about quietly over winter and Christmas. It feels right now.

“I don’t really feel anything about the damage I’ve suffered. I can still walk and run. I still have many years ahead of me when I would like to wake up without hurting.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything the sport has given me. All the experiences and friendships I’ve made at speedway.

“Now I would like to prioritise my children and my wife who will soon graduate as a doctor. In my career they’ve had to take after me. Now I’d like to pay a little back. I wouldn’t have been able to do my sport without the support of my wife especially.”

Source: britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/hans-calls-it-a-day/ TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024

[admin]

Unfortunately the prime his career coincided with Jason Crump on the world stage or I might have taken to him more. Andersen was real quality though in his prime and Peterborough was very lucky to have him at that time. His 2006 heat 15 shotgun ride (after gating and clamping down Kolodziej & taking him out of the race) behind Sullivan while keeping Hancock behind will never be forgotten. He was equally effective on any size circuit which separates the great and good from the average.

Thought that he should have retired a few years ago (prior to 2021) because it's always sad to see a great on the slide to detract from those great memories?

However, he's had a great career and got out in one piece which should be the objective of a dangerous sport competitor

[Bigcatdiary]

Jan 30, 2024 15:03:46 GMT admin said:

Unfortunately the prime his career coincided with Jason Crump on the world stage or I might have taken to him more. Andersen was real quality though in his prime and Peterborough was very lucky to have him at that time. His 2006 heat 15 shotgun ride (after gating and clamping down Kolodziej & taking him out of the race) behind Sullivan while keeping Hancock behind will never be forgotten. He was equally effective on any size circuit which separates the great and good from the average.

Thought that he should have retired a few years ago (prior to 2021) because it's always sad to see a great on the slide to detract from those great memories?

However, he's had a great career and got out in one piece which should be the objective of a dangerous sport competitor

I got to know him quite well over the years and he was an exceptional rider and team man, he always had time for supporters and was very popular with other riders, I see someone had commented on one of the many threads about his earlier altercation with Scott Nicholls, I am pleased to say they got over it and were good friends when they rode together for the Panthers in 2021.

I do think he rode a year more than perhaps he should have done because he wasn’t the Hans I knew in 2023 but in his peak he was the complete rider, very quick and stylish and not afraid to mix it in first corners or any corners for that matter.

His commitment to GB speedway was excellent and he richly deserved a testimonial, he was always willing to race in the UK unlike some superstars I could mention and was very popular wherever he rode.

[rodders]

Great servant to Panthers!!!! Regret he went on past his sell by date. I wish him all the best.