f-s-p

Heard via SMS from Saransk that Aakko was on fire in practise, rode better than ever. Flyktman had bike problems but they are getting sorted. So I guess Finland can expect a medal!

They had a new ath-track made for Ullevi too for the Athletics EC 2005? or 2006? Next summer they are hosting Monster Jam in Ullevi. So bye bye for the magnificent new track.

11th Head of Mordovia Republic Cup is what the press report in Finland says. I got a sms saying it was a very hard meeting with good racing.

From the FIM today: Team F: Russia 11 Nikolai Krasnikov, 12 Vitaly Khomitsevich, 20 Mikhail Bogdanov Federation: MFR , Team Manager: Sergei Shevchenko The story was that there was a decision made long ago that the top3 from the Russian final would make the team. This was changed, and now changed back.

Bogdanov replaces Bazeev???? Dont know how reliable this info is, thought I'd test it now...

A story in the Swedish press is saying that Svemo cant understand why Posa was not allowed to ride. They are saying there is no rule to justify what happened. A representative of Svemo is going to Saransk to make sure Posa can ride.

Spoke with Kai Lehtinen... The incident went like discribed earlier, only he had a similar fall in Saransk already. He wasn't leading but second between two Russians on the last lap and had decided two take at least two points. Too much gas and the bike threw him in the air and he's now back home. He said he had compressed plates in his back and some fractures, also two fractures in his nuckles. The plan is to ride in the Finnish final at the end of March Dont quote me on the medical details.

Wow, another wonderful winter day spent in front of the monitor doing reports and watching ice racing... or in front of the tv watching highlights from Derwent Park. I so hate mondays..

Svemo says this is his 30th in a row???

Aakko was in a hurry but said that things just didn't work out for him this weekend. He was glad he got that point yesterday that enabled him to win the D-final which he did today too. He will ride in Assen on the saturday which is good news. Serenius suffers from high blood pressure and is on medication for that, and it is written in his license as a somesort of special clause. They had no other options but not to let him ride.

I stayed online yesterday after the broadcast. They had news and other stuff and then sports again. They interviewed one english speaking spectator too, an older gentleman with white mustache telling how they came via Moscow. So they have international viewers on site too. Just checked that Aakko had 19 GP points last year after 2/4. This time he might come up with probably 12 after 2/6. But who knows about his rides in Assen and Berlin...

Really looking forward to seeing this on www-tv...

Videos from a 2005 league meeting at Seinäjoki are now online here.

Ice racing Finnish final will be held in Oulu, 31st of March. Riders seeded straight in to the final are: Antti Aakko, Aki Ala-Riihimäki, Tommy Flyktman, Jussi Hytönen, Kai Lehtinen, Jouni Seppänen, Raimo Henriksson, Tomi Kirilov, Mika Kastren A qualifier will take place on 3rd of March in Forssa with 7+2 getting through. Riders in the qualifier: Johan Ahponen, Kai Ilkka, Timo Kankkunen, Rauli Launonen, Joni Kontoniemi, Janne Leskelä, Jarmo Malinen, Jukka Mantere, Ari Nevala, Jussi Nyrönen, Sakari Piirainen, Tommi Suolammi, Ari Tuomisto, Janne Vilponen, Christer Biskop, Jani Ahola Reserves: Esko Rantanen, Harri Saari There are a few new names in the list, thats good. I expect more than 7 going to the final, since it seems likely Lehtinen and Henriksson will not ride in the final. I'll confirm that later.

It took a long time for Aakko to get lined up, the heat might have come unexpected for him and his motor was maybe cold and slowed down after 2 laps. I've heard that might happen. I'll try and find it out by tomorrow evening.

Nice save by #1 in the final. How did Antti do in the D-final. I missed that...

I think I just sold my soul to Microsoft and made a mess of all my media settings on the computer just to see Antti give away a heat win.

Point taken. I guess this GP is more about TV then. Big stadium with bright lights. Not about the speedway traveller who likes to see (some) sights as well. Opposite to the Polish GP's which I think have both. Enjoy Dusseldorf! I'll scout Bremen for you during my easter holiday.

How very politically correctly put. Hope I spelled that right. I've been thinking about going to this one, since I could fly to Bremen with Ryanair practically from my backyard (10 km to the airport). DB would take me to Gelsenkirchen but if there's nothing else to do why bother... I wondered if you are just too picky...

So how did you rate Daugavpils then...

Dont know about that one...

You might say he's one of our "old guard". I think he's 32 and been around the sport since aged 10. He's ridden in all the Swedish leagues and was in Elitserien in the late 90's. Valsarna was his club? Been in the Finnish top 5 for some years now, alltough had a break when organizing his license and was Kaj Laukkanen's mechanic when he was in the GP's and before that too. Wont ride the full season.

Jyri Palomäki signed for Fjelstedt.

Will do... The fall Kai Lehtinen had in his opening ride in Uchaly turned out to be worse than preliminary reports suggested. He was leading his first heat and racing against Kononov (or similar) when exiting a corner a chunk of ice was cut from the surface of the track. This resulted Lehtinen getting thrown of his bike and damaging his back. With the medication he got he thought he could stay for the team event, but is now coming back to Finland and going straight to a specialist from the airport. Aki Ala-Riihimäki turned down a place in the team, so Jouni Seppänen is now trying to sort out a visa and turn up at the track.

Kalle Katajisto and Niko Siltaniemi have both stepped up from 80cc to ride the big bikes next season. Both have also found a riding berth in the Finnish Ekstaleague.