Schwantz34

Was it here or somewhere else I read Ivanov is out for the season?

Thanks for the information folks, couldn't even contemplate a round if ice speedway this year due to family circumstances and it's maybe not a bad thing given all the uncertainty. Here's hoping for normality in 2023 and we can make up for lost time.

Is there any sort of calendar, even a provisional one, for Ice Speedway Gladiators this year?

Such a shame it was a poor meeting, if some of us who love ice speedway didn't enjoy it then it's hardly an advert for the sport :-(

Can you stream N Sport+ or can you get it through Virgin/ Sky? Worrying times for Ice Speedway Gladiators in Western Europe again this year, such a shame :- (

I read worrying stuff about the financial situation at Thialf on the German forum, I really hoped things would pick up for ice speedway in western Europe during 2022. Fingers crossed that the situation as a whole improves over the coming years

Incredible save by Tarasov, hung on for dear life, somehow got the bike upright and then nearly slipped walking away from the bike. Made me laugh

I read tonight that Jasper Iwema is racing Moto E in 2021, they are big heavy bikes for someone so slight. Best of luck to him

What about them?

Some of the Russian youngsters are just tremendous, Khuzin and in particular Bogdanov in this heat are two...

Hats off again to the overall winner Valeev, the rest of the finalists and the western warriors. Watching some of the Russian domestic stuff there are times where Valeev really looks like a champion but I feel like in the world series he quite often gets a slow start and it's too late when he gets going. It must have been pleasing to shut Kononov out on that last corner after the controversy of his recent harsh DQ at the same place against the same rider. I've given some stick to Zorn in the past for having no fight but he was the opposite today. Hopefully this gives him fire in the belly to fight again next year when we have a normal series with spectators allowed again ( fingers crossed). Love Harald Simon, that guy never goes down without a fight even in his mid 50s and on the subject of people over half way to 100 I like the guy Rihimaki. I do feel that Iwema and Bauer will leave disappointed although I'm stopping short of criticising them given the unique nature of the series. Last thoughts are that Hans Weber would have done superbly but hey ho.

If confirmation that the event would go ahead was only given 6 days before sign on/ practice started isn't last minute then I'm not sure what is?????? Why was Hutla getting his visa a 3000km drive and a notoriously bad border crossing away only 5 days ago!!!!!

Credit where it's due for the western riders with little or no practice, a long journey and the last minute nature of the whole thing. Most of them put in decent races, fingers crossed a good night sleep with one meeting under the belt bodes well for tomorrow.

Wow, I admire the patience these guys have. I feel like as much as I'm sure I'd enjoy racing ice speedway I just couldn't be arsed with a carry on like that, especially Simon in his fifties.

I get what you're saying but the sanctions mean absolutely zilch for the state because the biggest events are over and done with. For me it should be specific to the sports proven to be implicated with Russia not being allowed to host events and Russian athletes involved in those sports not allowed to compete for the specified period. I suppose part of it is being selfish and desperate to see an ice speedway world championship this year though. On the world cup note I'm desperately sorry for Hans Weber, what a shame to miss out that way. Just wish there was some way he could fly out and borrow equipment from someone else

Sorry, but should everyone be punished for the misdemeanours ( understatement I know) of relatively few? I know it was state sponsored but the winter Olympics and world cup have already been held in the country so any financial impact of not holding events such as ice speedway wouldn't even register. Makes me laugh as well when Brits think Russia is a dodgy country and the UK and co are all squeaky clean, look at what the Fancy Bears uncovered........

Is this with a view to making everyone try harder through all the heats, rather than just settling for a safe top 8 to reach the semis?

Is it two days?

I know it's stating the obvious but how strong is the field in Russia, can't remember seeing this boy Artem Burmistrov before but how exciting does he look? Can't help but think that Bogdanov is soon to hit the big time too and glad to see Ivanov looking good again. A word for poor Fadeev as well, some really big hits this year but the lad picks himself up and keeps going. Must drink Irn Bru in Russia too!!!

Reading on the German forum that riders have got thumbs up to apply for their Russian visas and that things are looking positive for a short sharp world cup in Togliatti

You had my expectations pretty low and I was expecting a European championship standard meeting............ alas ( to quote Boris) I found it pretty exciting with plenty of good close racing. Think the tight nature of the track stifled some overtaking but most of the boys were giving it laldy ( Scottish slang) plus some of the big guns are out or likely nursing wounds from last weekend eg Krasnikov, Koltakov, Tarasov Really admire Khomitsevich, the heat after the spill he had another massive moment out of the last corner but kept it pinned. He seems quite cheery for a Russian too giving plenty of waves to the fans but I still love the stereotypical dreariness of folk like Ivanov.

A real shame but not surprising, just gonna enjoy the awesome stuff we're seeing in Russia and fingers crossed for next year. Here's the best quality edit from Saturday below, another ropey decision on Sunday with Kononov and Valeev though

Was it Bogdanov who was wrongly excluded? What is the skull duggery referred to. Threats/ bribes? Given my road racing background I don't understand why someone is always excluded after an accident in speedway. To my mind there's a load of occasions where blame can be shared, why not just have all four back?

For anyone who hasn't seen day 1

Wow, not pressed play yet but that still image