Krasnikov still heads the Leader Board

Nikolai Krasnikov leads the field after the completion of Round 3 of the 2012 FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship in Assen, Netherlands which was dominated as expected by the Russians. Daniil Ivanov beat him in the Final but there is still a 4 point gap between the two setting the scene for a mouth-watering finale in two weeks’ time. Fellow Russian Eduard Krysov collected third place. Dmitri Khomitsevitch was disqualified from his semi-final after he dislodged straw bales onto the track but he will take home 33 points from a very productive visit to Assen and retains his third place in the Intermediate Classification. Karachintsev will have been the most disappointed with his score having won three of his qualifying heats. Leading the first semi-final he saw Krasnikov fly past him on the second lap then allowed Kolkatov through on the next lap to spoil his chances of a rostrum place. Franz Zorn and Antii Aakko were the best of the western riders after Harald Simon had endured a nightmare meeting with two disqualifications. Jan Klatovsky’s unhappy season continues with the Czech managing only two points from the whole event and suffering a fall in Heat 16. Leading Scorers, Day 2
Daniil Ivanov (Russia) 20 points
Nicolay Krasnikov (Russia) 19
Dmitri Kolkatov (Russia) 15
Dmitri Khomitsevitch (Russia) 13
Eduard Krysov (Russia) 13
Sergei Kharachintsev (Russia) 12
Franz Zorn (Austria) 10
Antti Aakko (Finland) 9

Intermediate Classification (after Round 3)
1. Krasnikov 111 points
2. Ivanov 107
3. Khomitsevitch 98
4. Koltakov 82
5. Krysov 69
6. Kharachintsev 64
7. Simon 48
8. Aakko 45
There is a two week break until the series concludes with Round 4 in Uppsala, Sweden on 31st March and 1st April. Further details and the Draw will be published here shortly.