After clinching his seventh title of champion at the Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship, Nikolay Krasnikov announced last year that he wanted to put an end to his career. Since then the rider supported by Motul Russia has changed his mind, perhaps after his good performance in the recent Russian national championships. We therefore have the pleasure of seeing him again on his studded motorcycle on the frozen ovals. Largely dominated by Russian riders, the main specialists of this discipline typical of northern countries, the first event took place on 4 February at Krasnogorsk, near Moscow.
On the first day, Krasnikov gave ground to Daniil Ivanov at the start. The following day, Krasnikov therefore battled hard not to be left too far behind. A participant in most of the fine heats of the afternoon, he caught up with Ivanov on two occasions before making a superb pass. In doing so he of course delighted the dense crowd that had turned out despite the bitterly cold Moscow weather.
A machine failure forced him to abandon in heat 18, which did not however prevent him from finishing the weekend on the second step of the podium. Throughout the weekend, the battle between Krasnikov and Ivanov grew in intensity. Five points now separate the two men in the standings and the fight will be fierce in the rest of the season. Round two will take place in Ufa, also in Russia, on 11 February. Highly impressive on account of the extravagant leaning of the motorcycles, these ice races are especially appreciated in Scandinavian and central European countries.
Standings
01// Daniil Ivanov - 41 points
02// Nikolay Krasnikov - 36 points - Motul
03// Dmitry Khomitsevich - 29 points
