Magnus Karlsson (speedway rider)


Magnus Erik Karlsson is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rides in the Premier League in the UK for the Leicester Lions.

Family

His two older brothers, Peter Karlsson and Mikael Max are both former Speedway Grand Prix riders. All three brothers represented Sweden in the 2007 Speedway World Cup, with Magnus riding at reserve.

Career

Magnus had a successful start to his UK career. He first rode in the Premier League in 2002 with the Edinburgh Monarchs, but it was in 2003 he was part of the Premier League Championship winning team. In 2004 he moved on to the Hull Vikings, and was part of the team that won the League Championship, KO Cup and Young Shield treble. Magnus decided to join his brother Peter at Elite League Wolverhampton Wolves in 2005 where he recorded a 5.58 average in his debut season, including a paid maximum. In 2006 his average dropped to 4.71 and it dropped again in 2007 to 3.62, despite representing Sweden in the Speedway World Cup.
Magnus decided to drop down to the Premier League with Scunthorpe Scorpions in 2008 and produced his best-ever season at that level with the Scorpions in 2009. He rode for the Lincolnshire club for a third consecutive season in 2010, before moving to Leicester Lions in 2011, initially on loan but later becoming a club asset. In 2012 he also rode in the Elite League with Birmingham Brummies.