PETER Kildemand believes progression to final stages of the European Championship will be a key ingredient as he bids to take his career to the next level.

The Dane begins his qualifying campaign in Slovakia today, ruling him out of the Robins’ visit to Eastbourne, aiming to make the four-round series which begins in Gustrow in July.

Having had a taste of the Grand Prix stage and been involved in his national team’s set-up in the past, Kildemand is keen to compete against the likes of Tomasz Gollob, Emil Sayfutdinov, Nicki Pedersen and Martin Vaculik in the SEC as he bids to work towards a permanent place in the Grand Prix series.

“It’s a shame to be missing for Swindon by it’s one of my goals this season, to get through to the finals, so it’s really important I have a good meeting on Saturday,” he said.

“It’s good money but it’s more for the experience because doing four rounds in this is like doing a mini GP series really. I want to be in the GP one day and this is a good experience to do that.

“It’s nice to ride individual stuff because it’s different to the leagues and I really hope I can make it through.

“There are some good riders in there and it’s going to be hard but I’m confident I can get through.”

Standing in Kildemand’s way in Zarnovica are the likes of Janusz Kolodziej, Magnus Zetterstrom, Ales Dryml, Kenni Larsen and lone Brit Richard Hall, with the top five making it through to the SEC Challenge meeting in Hungary which will decide who makes it through to the series proper.

Also on the horizon for Kildemand is the potential of a wild card for the Danish GP in Copenhagen and, having had a taste as a track reserve last season, is keen to have a shot in the iconic number 16 race jacket.

“I’ve not heard anything yet but hopefully I can keep my form up and have a good chance there,” he said.

“I’ve ridden at Parken before and it was really good so it would be nice to have another chance to ride there.”

Kildemand and the rest of his Robins teammates were left frustrated yesterday as the team’s scheduled meeting with Leicester was called off due to heavy rain during the early afternoon, leaving the track unfit to ride.

A provisional date of June 5 has already been set for the restaging of the meeting.