Having retired twelve months ago, the Russian Nicolai Krasnikov, whose team is supported technically by Motul, was finally right to get back on his bike this season. On 31 December last year, Nicolai indeed clinched an eighth consecutive title in the FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship in Uppsala, Sweden, before a crowd of more than 6,500 spectators.
With ten points in the lead at the start of this last day, the Russian did not let his chance slip away by mathematically bagging the title for the 11th series.
His Russian compatriot, Sergey Karachintsev, won the final ahead of Dmitri Khomitsevithch and Dmitiri Kolkatov but the star of the day was well and truly Krasnikov who was awarded a TAG Heuer wristwatch in addition to his gold medal.
Final standings:
1. Nicolai Krasnikov (148 pts) - Motul
2. Daniil Ivanov (136 pts)
3. Dimitri Khomitsevitch (134 pts)
Image : © David Reygondeau
