King's Lynn Stars superstar Niels-Kristian Iversen admits he could scarcely believe it after landing his first Speedway Grand Prix victory at the weekend.

The Danish champion rounded British ace Tai Woffinden on the second corner of Saturday's final to win the gold in Italy. It was the three-time World Cup winner's maiden GP success and confirmed his place among the sport's elite following years of consistent displays across Europe's top leagues.

'I don't know if I really believed it when I crossed the line. I almost passed out when I came to the first corner,' said Lynn's number one.

'I was waiting to wake up or something like that because it always seemed so far away. This win has been close, but it has still been far away. I've had a couple of finals and I had a podium in Cardiff, where I came second. I was still far away from winning it, though, but it happened.

'It's just awesome that it finally went my way. You need a bit of luck to win it and I had a bit of luck. It was just awesome.

That has given me some more belief that these wins can actually happen. Before you sort of dream about it and hope for it, but you're not sure you can actually do it.

'I know now that I've got what it takes to win a Grand Prix and that's an awesome feeling. There's no guarantee I'm going to win anymore, but at least I've won this one and I know I can do it. Why shouldn't I win more?'

The 31-year-old, who until this year hadn't qualified for the series since 2008, sits sixth in the standings. A top-eight finish would see him automatically qualify for the 2013 series – thus securing his fourth campaign at speedway's top table.

However, Iversen – who has riden for Lynn on loan from parent club Peterborough Panthers for the last three campaigns – is refusing to get carried away by the biggest victory of his career to date.

The Esbjerg-born rider also told the Grand Prix's official website: 'I know that even though I won this one, it doesn't give me anymore points for the next one. If it goes badly next time, I won't remember this one.

'It's just about focusing on every single meeting and every single race you're in. This one is sweet now. But at the next Grand Prix I can't use this win for anything.'

Iversen, nine points clear of Tomasz Gollob in ninth, continues his GP quest in Latvia on August 17.