Schwantz34

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

Missed the live feed, hopefully nothing worse than the broken bone for Krasnikov. Get well soon to both

Training from Russia, all the big hitters are there and anticipating some good racing. Whoever does these videos makes a great job, usually online a day or two after any event. From the stuff I've seen so far, aside from Ivanov, Khomitsevich, Koltakov, Valeev and Kononov I'd say Nikita Bogdanov is looking very fast

I echo lots of the previous sentiments, a fair number of rather dull races, a long time cleaning the track and in all honesty a fairly weak field. If I was to be totally pessimistic and blunt I'm not sure a meeting like that would really enhance interest in ice speedway. I've thought Zorn has looked toothless for a few years now, usually makes starts pretty well and then just rolls round with seemingly no fight. As others say, Luca Bauer who you would think as a young rider would have his mojo after seemingly gaining confidence throughout his first heat totally fizzled out. Surely his old man who seemingly pulls no punches wants to give him a boot up the arse. Enough of the negatives, great stuff from Stefan Svensson and Ove Ledstrom. Is it a sabbatical or full time retirement he ( Ledstrom) was going to take? Weber did well too, always willing to push it to, and beyond, the limit. I was reading his teamate has relatively little experience on motorbikes but like the Eishans Herr Monn had aggression, something the aforementioned Bauer could do with. Great coverage from the Polish TV channel. At risk of sounding like an anorak I thought the sound was very good, almost like you were actually there!!! Finally, well done to the top three and the outright winner.

Thankyou racers and royals, watched some of the executorig training videos from Russia and it's really whetted my appetite for ice speedway. Can't wait for next Sunday

I see from the Heerenveen site that they are not planning any event for next year as it's not viable without spectators. Feint hopes of a last minute trip to Berlin if it happens, if not then that's going to be two years without ice speedway Need to get to at least two events in 2022

Thanks Conkers, I've requested vouchers

Can anyone give an educated guess on when Heerenveen 2021 would take place? Had booked flights this year with KLM and one of their options is to amend our booking free of charge

Call me a pessimist but I just can't see it going ahead, if the Dutch are reacting slowly then you've got to imagine it will be nearing it's peak in two weekends time. If it doesn't perhaps a postponement or would that be too optimistic?

I don't doubt the overheads are extremely expensive but for me to stand one day and sit the next a generous cost is about 100 euros. There are say 3000 fans which would give 300,000 never mind sponsorship, VIP packages etc. All guesswork and supposition, all I'm saying is that if the shoe was on the other foot and you had to cancel attending because of unforseen circumstances would the organisers show the same sympathy? It's just such a shame it couldn't have run behind closed doors and say for talkings sake every ticket holder was e mailed a link to full meeting coverage which would be taken by tv fim anyway. While I realise this probably wasn't an option left open, if something like that could have happened then I'd suggest more people would be open to donating their ticket money

It's all pretty grim no matter what way you look at it but surely that way it just pushes the problem forward a year? ie no or very little ticket money next year. I don't know what to make of all these sporting organisations playing the financial struggle card, more often than not the common man ( or woman of course!!) makes a sacrifice in their ongoing financial struggle of life to further line the pockets of the organisers. I know it's unforseen but Inzell must make a mint every year, surely some money has to be put aside for a rainy day.

Slightly nervous about Heerenveen too, it would soften the blow a bit if there was some kind of TV coverage of the European rounds but it would seem tv fim are only leaving the best shot clips of the 2020 season to view on YouTube

I've watched some of the FIM TV highlights and it seems to be a foot injury, given his form before it though hopefully the rumours are about a return!! Next question, I read somewhere that Jimmy Olsen was banned due to weed being found in his system. Does he intend to return when the ban is up?

Was watching some older ice speedway on YouTube and was well impressed with a rider Sergey Karachintsev who seemed one of the only ones able to take it to Koltakov ( at that time). Not sure how old he was, has he retired or is he out with injury?

Was reading the German forum there, they seem to be slating the meeting in general and don't miss Zorn for not restarting in the bronze final