Nicholls - I can be world champ

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Scott Nicholls insists he is can become world champion, in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.

The British speedway star heads into this weekend's opening Grand Prix in Slovenia in fine form and he has spoken to us about his chances for the new season.

Nicholls, who moved to Eastbourne Eagles in the winter, is happy with how things are going after bouncing back from a broken hand suffered early in the new season.

"I am feeling good, I have had a few rides since my injury which was just one of those crashes it didn't look to bad but they never do," he told Sky Sports.

"But I am back now and it is good to get going and I have even had a fall and it all stood up well which is good in a way."

Nicholls has started the season in fine form has already beaten most of his Grand Prix rivals already this term but he is just hoping he can now translate that to the world stage.

"I know that I am capable, I have shown domestically I can beat them but that is only occasionally and I need to do that all the time as I have proved," he continued.

Scott Nicholls has told Sky Sports that he believes he can become world champion.

The British speedway star heads into this weekend's opening Grand Prix in Slovenia in fine form and he has spoken exclusively to skysports.com about his chances for the new season.

Nicholls, who moved to Eastbourne Eagles in the winter, is happy with how things are going after bouncing back from a broken hand suffered early in the new season.

"I am feeling good, I have had a few rides since my injury which was just one of those crashes - it didn't look to bad but they never do," he said.

"But I am back now and it is good to get going and I have even had a fall and it all stood up well which is good in a way."

Nicholls has started the season in fine form and has beaten most of his Grand Prix rivals already this term, but he is just hoping he can now translate that to the world stage.

"I know that I am capable, I have shown domestically I can beat them but that is only occasionally and I need to do that all the time as I have proved," he continued.

Nicholls is aware of the talent up against him this year and is not going to underestimate any challenge.

"They have all shown good form, like last year and to be honest with me I was up and down, before I showed some good stuff towards the end which seems to the story for me in recent seasons," he said.

"Last season was hard for me, with injuries, the birth of my first child and to be honest it did not go as I wanted. But I finished off well and I am coming into this year in good spirits."

World aim

Nicholls lost his British title to Chris Harris last season and although he would like to recapture the crown - the world title is his main aim.

"Of course I want the British title back, I won it back-to-back and last year Chris came out and did well, whilst I was trying different things," he said.

"But if you ask me what I want to win, then obviously I want to be world champion ahead of being British champion. I will always want to be British number one, but my priority is the Grand Prix series.

"Previously I have said I want to be world champion and to be honest deep down I don't think I believed it myself - but now that is not the case.

"I know I am capable of winning it. I would not be putting myself on the line or sacrificing all the time I do, the weekends away from my friends and family, if I did not think that.

"This is not about money, although the amounts available now are getting larger and larger, but that is not what I am going for, it is all about personal glory for me."

The 29 year-old is yet to win a Grand Prix and he knows that is one hurdle he quickly needs to overcome.

"That is something I need to do, I have been close on a few occasions but I know it will come and once it does I am confident a few will follow," he said.

Nicholls is also Great Britain captain and will lead them into the World Cup this summer - but he is not convinced they will be able to win.

"Of course, like with the British title, the World Cup is an ambition of mine and I would love to win it but it is not the main priority," he said.

"But I love being captain and once we are there we will have a good chance, but I am not sure we have the firepower to match the Danes or the Poles."

So looking ahead to Slovenia - Nicholls is in good heart, especially as he managed second place there last season.

"Yeah I know my way around and I did well there last year," he said. "Obviously a lot will depend on weather but hopefully I should know what set-up to go with and hopefully I can start in the best way."

Also stay turned to skysports.com throughout the season as we will be bringing you Scott Nicholls's diary before every Grand Prix.