Career Summary
Olsen first rode in the UK for the Newcastle Diamonds in the British League from 1967 until 1969. He then moved to the Wolverhampton Wolves, where he remained from 1970 until then end of the 1975 season. In 1976 he joined the Coventry Bees where he enjoyed the most success, winning two British League titles as well as the 1981 League Cup. Olsen has also won the British League Riders' Championship in 1972, 1976, 1977 and 1978.
Olsen was close to winning two further World Championship titles. In the 1972 final at Wembley whilst in second place he fell, and despite winning his other four heats, he was beaten by Ivan Mauger. In 1977, John Boulger fell on a rain soaked track whilst Olsen was leading. In the re-run of the heat, Olsen was beaten by the eventual winner Mauger again. Olsen had the distinction of winning the last ever speedway race held at the original Wembley Stadium. In a run-off for second place in the 1981 World Final he beat Coventry team mate Tommy Knudsen.
At the height of his success and popularity, Ole was the biggest sports star in Denmark, a country with no Olympic team at that time.
Read more about this topic: Ole Olsen (speedway Rider)
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