Clausen returns to Peterborough.

Hans Clausen will be a Peterborough rider again in 2002 after a five-year absence.

Clausen was a big hit in the early 1990s but hasn't ridden for the club since returning for a short spell at the end of the 1997 season.

He comes back as the current Danish champion and a key man in Denmark's plans for this season's World Team Cup - when the final will be held at Peterborough.

The Dane will fill the third heat leader role where he is likely to partner Sam Tesar, who was a team-mate of Clausen in his earlier spells with the club.

Peterborough team boss Jim Lynch said: "I think our fans will see a different Hans Clausen to the one they remember. He was very young when he was here before but now he is a seasoned campaigner with Grand Prix
experience".

"He is a top class performer and I think he'll prove a real key man for us this season. We've got his average reduced to 6.5 owing to his long time out of British racing and I think that is a figure he can improve on".

"It will be good for him to be back here with the World Team Cup in mind and he always enjoyed racing on the Showground track. His away form could be a bit patchy but I'm sure he will learn quickly because he's a class act."

Lynch also confirmed that Chris Harris will step in for Simon Stead whenever the British Under 21 champion is unavailable this season. The Trelawny youngster topped the Premier League side's averages last year with 7.82.

"He's a good up-and-coming rider and he'll relish the chance to have a few Elite League outings," said Lynch.

Peterborough Panthers 2002
1. Ryan Sullivan (9.38)
2. Shane Parker (6.24)
3. Hans Clausen (6.50)
4. Sam Tesar (6.48)
5. Piotr Protasiewicz (7.03)
6. Simon Stead (4.88) or Chris Harris (3.81)
7. Brett Woodifield (3.24)