Teams on show in Berlin

The Ice Speedway spotlight turns to team racing next weekend as the 2015 MOTUL FIM Team Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship Final takes place over two days in Berlin’s Horst Dohm Eis-Stadion. Seven National teams riding in pairs compete against each other over 42 heats of full blooded Ice Speedway.

Holders Russia, have failed to win this title on only 4 occasions since the competition was inaugurated in 1979 and will again be favourites. Their team includes defending individual champion Daniil Ivanov, current world number 3 Dmitry Khomistsevich and, as reserve, ice speedway legend Nikolay Krasnikov. They will provide formidable opposition to any team trying to wrest their title away.

Sweden has been the most successful of the non-Russian teams but has still managed only three gold medals in the 36 year history of the title. This year with an eye to the future they have dropped their seasoned veterans ‘Posa’ Serenius and Stefan Svensson and chosen to give their younger riders the opportunity to race in a World Final. Team Manager Ola Westlund has selected a squad consisting of Daniel Henderson and Niclas Kallin Svensson, son of Stefan, with Ove Ledström as reserve. Realistically they will not expect to collect a gold medal on this occasion but their enthusiastic young team should enjoy the occasion and benefit from the experience.

The Austrian team appear to have the best chances of upsetting the Russians with Franz Zorn and Harald Simon both hardened regulars at this level. Zorn in particular is on top of his form at the moment and was delighted to reach the final on both days in the recent individual World Championship round in Kazakhstan recently. The Austrians have taken a medal in six of the last seven team finals taking the Russians to a race off in 2013 and will be confident of providing another surprise this year.

Finland’s results have been hampered by injury over recent years and although they managed third place in 2014 this was almost entirely due to the heroic efforts of their captain Mats Järf who scored 32 out of his team’s total of 36 points. If he could repeat that performance in Berlin then a medal position for the Finns would be possible but the team will miss the support of their best rider Antti Aakko who is still awaiting surgery for back injuries sustained last season. Tomi Tani and reserve Mikko Jetsonen complete the team.

The Swiss are an unknown ingredient as they have had only limited presence on the international scene. Their 28 year old captain Simon Gartmann has been racing since 2000 but a serious injury in 2008 has limited his racing outside Switzerland. Marcus Birn was the Swiss entry for the individual World Championship Qualifier in Stromsund this year but scored only one point.

It is a family affair for the Czech Republic team with the Klatovsky brothers, Antonin and Jan and their father Antonin senior who will be Team Manager. Reserv will be Lukas Hutla who was the best of the other Czech riders in their qualifying races. Whilst not expected to win, if the Klatovsky ‘fire’ can be harnessed, the prizegiving ceremony on Sunday could see them collect a silver or bronze medal.

In front of their home fans, the German team would dearly love to shine and by naming Gunther Bauer at Reserve Team Manager Bernd Sagert will be hoping that the Bavarian veteran will be able to inspire his younger colleagues to greater heights. Johann Weber will spearhead the team along with Max Niedermaier selected ahead of German Champion Stefan Pletschacher who has struggled to capture his best form this season to date.

Teams declared are:
Austria
1 Franz Zorn (Capt)
2 Harald Simon
15 Charly Ebner

Czech Republic
3 Antonin Klatovsky
4 Jan Klatovsky (Capt)
16 Lukas Hutla

Russia
5 Daniil Ivanov
6 Dmitry Khomitsevich
17 Nikolay Krasnikov (Capt)

Germany
7 Johann Weber
8 Max Niedermaier
18 Günther Bauer (Capt)

Sweden
9 Daniel Hendersson (Capt)
10 Niclas Kallin Svensson
19 Ove Ledström

Finland
11 Mats Järf (Capt)
12 Tomi Tani
20 Mikko Jetsonen

Switzerland
13 Simon Gartmann (Capt)
14 Marcus Birn
21 Thomas Cavigelli

Racing at the Horst Dohm Eis-Stadion starts at 17.00 on Saturday and 14.00 on Sunday. FIM Jury President is Britain’s Tony Steele with Marek Wojaczek from Poland the Referee.