Schwantz34

Good luck to all the riders, and in particular for me Hans Weber. Been catching up with some of the Russian domestic stuff and Weber really has proved himself as competitive as I've seen anyone with the Russians. If he becomes champion, ignoring debates about the credibility of a win without the Russians, he most certainly would be worthy.

That's a shame, young and one of the best riders from the west. Loved a wheelie which made for good viewing On the retirement theme I wonder what Khuzin and Toloknov will do after their injuries. I watched highlights of Togliatti which showed footage from the start finish. The Khuzin spill was extremely disturbing, crash was bad enough but seconds after he slid to a halt it was obvious his injuries must have been terrible. Just so glad he was reported to be ok a few days later

Despite my last comment about not going to Heerenveen I had a wee look at the cost of doing it there and back in a day. Looking about £400 for all travel ( flights and trains), a ticket and an official LFT test ( costing 55bucks) to enter the Netherlands Imagine shelling that out and getting a positive LFT!!! Think I'll hold out until next year

I read on speedweek that Hans Weber who is still in Russia suggests the Russian riders do not believe they'll be allowed to ride in Heerenveen. I'd been contemplating a there and back in a day for the Sunday............ but if the best riders in the world aren't riding in the world championship then maybe not.

Brilliant to hear this, unfortunate accident and shocking injury. Get well soon Ivan

Really terrible news for both, but especially Khuzin. Neither incident with anyone to blame. Wishing both as full a recovery as possible.

The Netherlands are certainly lifting restrictions. Fingers crossed but it's getting to fairly short notice for ticket sales etc.

What has happened in the Russian league this year where it's more like a team championship every race rather than one rider from each of the four big teams in each heat? IMHO it really dampened down the racing this year

It seemed like quite a brutal meeting, hope the guys needing an ambulance are ok

Incredible really!! Haaruhiltunen looked a few years ago like maybe, just maybe, he could have a good go at winning one, but he just seemed to get too excited and end up jumping off the thing. The way things have panned out the last two years must have set all the westerners back a significant amount

Good question, I'd guess at Serenious or Bauer but there are others far more qualified than me to answer

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.