Swedish Elitserien Round 1

[Anders]

PREVIEW OF ELITSERIEN ROUND 1

Tuesday April 28th 2009

 

The 2009 season is finally around the corner, as the four meetings of round 1 will be held on Tuesday night. This upcoming season seems to be one of the most unpredictable for several years with many - if not all - teams capable to reach the 6 team Play Off.

 

INDIANERNA - ROSPIGGARNA

at Sannahed's Motorstadion, Kumla

 

The two surprise packages of the 2008 season will open their 2009 league campaigns at Kumla.

 

Rospiggarna have only made small adjustments to their squad during the off-season, with the most important signing being Ryan Sullivan from Piraterna, likely as a direct replacement for Adam Shields who have left for Vargarna. Their are also some changes at second string (at least for the opener) as long time Indianerna veteran Henrik Gustafsson got squeezed out of Indianerna's 2009 line-up, but now returns "home" for the opening round with a point to prove. He is joined at second string by talented Maciej Janowski.

 

Indianerna have added the services of Grand Prix riders Rune Holta and Grzegorz Walasek in the off-season and should be headed for the Play Off once again.

 

Indianerna (home)

1. Grzegorz Walasek

2. Matej Ferjan

3. Piotr Protasiewicz

4. Jesper B Monberg

5. Rune Holta

6. Simon Gustafsson J

7. Leon Madsen

( 8. David Rohlén J )

 

Rospiggarna (away)

1. Greg Hancock

2. Maciej Janowski

3. Janusz Kolodziej

4. Henrik Gustafsson

5. Ryan Sullivan

6. Freddie Eriksson

7. Jonas Messing J

( 8. - )

 

*-*-*

 

ELIT VETLANDA - VÄSTERVIK

at Vetlanda Motorstadion, Vetlanda

 

The two team that will square off in Vetlanda have meet in several high prestige meetings throughout a five year period, and have a definite rivalry between each other.

 

Västervik have virtually the same line-up as last year, with exception of newcomer Kevin Doolan from Vargarna. They have a solid line-up throughout, and usually goes well in Vetlanda, so the crowd will be in for a tight one on Tuesday night.

 

Elit Vetlanda will be missing Thomas H Jonasson who crashed in Vetlanda Challenge on Tuesday and was recommended a 10 day rest, but Karol Zabik replaces him and the Pole has been in good form so far.

 

Elit Vetlanda (home)

1. Lee Richardson

2. Peter Ljung

3. Jaroslaw Hampel

4. Karol Zabik

5. Jason Crump

6. Sebastian Aldén

7. Robin Aspegren J

( 8. Anders Mellgren J )

 

Västervik (away)

1. Chris Harris

2. Bjarne Pedersen

3. Niels-Kristian Iversen

4. Grigorijs Laguta

5. Tomasz Gollob

6. Billy Forsberg J

7. Kevin Doolan

( 8. Pontus Aspgren J )

 

*-*-*

 

VARGARNA - IKAROS SMEDERNA

at Norrköpings Motorstadion, Norrköping

 

In Norrköping, the two teams tipped for bottom places in the standings will meet each other. The newcomers (Vargarna) will likely rely on their home track to rack up points throughout the year, while Ikaros Smederna probably haven't got the same advantage in their home track, but they looks more likely than Vargarna to pick up something away from home.

 

Vargarna (home)

1. Scott Nicholls

2. Joe Screen

3. Edward Kennett

4. Tai Woffinden

5. Adam Shields

6. Kim Nilsson J

7. Adam Skornicki

( 8. Jonas Andersson J )

 

Ikaros Smederna (away)

1. Krzysztof Kasprzak

2. Daniel King

3. Magnus Zetterström

4. Troy Batchelor

5. Wieslaw Jagus

6. Linus Eklöf J

7. Mikael Max

( 8. Robert Henderson J )

 

*-*-*

 

PIRATERNA - LEJONEN

at Lastpartner Arena, Motala

 

Current champions Lejonen have opted for both Nicki Pedersen and Leigh Adams in their opening line-up in Motala, infront of the Canal+ TV cameras. Despite seemingly lacking some strength in depth, at least comparing to Piraterna, they still have Ricky Kling at reserve and he will be vital for the outcome of this one.

 

The Pirates have a much more balanced team with several riders capable of being Number 1 for a night. The home fans will be in for a treat this season with several natural born racers in the squad, one of them being Czech Grand Prix winner Emil Sajfutdinov.

 

Piraterna (home)

1. Rafal Dobrucki

2. Robert Kosciecha

3. Jonas Davidsson

4. Damian Balinski

5. Emil Sajfutdinov

6. Linus Sundström J

7. Antonio Lindbäck

( 8. Oliver Berntzon J )

 

Lejonen (away)

1. Nicki Pedersen

2. Zbigniew Suchecki

3. Dave Watt

4. Chris Holder

5. Leigh Adams

6. Robert Pettersson J

7. Ricky Kling

( 8. Dennis Andersson J )

 

 

Dackarna will rest in the 1st round.

 

 

All meetings can be followed live on www.speedway.nu, as usual. All meetings starts (with rider presentation) at 19:00 local time, so first heat should be underway at approximately 19:10.

 

Enjoy!

[Ghostwalker]

you can listen (online radion) live to tonights meeting at this adress:

 

http://www.sr.se/webbradio/?id=SR-Extra02

 

broadcasts starts at 18.45 CEST.

[Ghostwalker]

the latest news is that Both Greg Hancock and Maciej Janowski is stuck in traffic and they might not make it in time to the meeting start.

[UnitedUnitedUnited]

good meeting from lindback, 14+1 max against Adams, Nicki P and Holder

[Ghostwalker]

good meeting from lindback, 14+1 max against Adams, Nicki P and Holder

 

yeah also good riding from Max 15+2 on 6 heats. Only 5p from Jagoda which is very surprising.

[UnitedUnitedUnited]

yeah also good riding from Max 15+2 on 6 heats. Only 5p from Jagoda which is very surprising.

 

yeah saw that score, has max still got it? as thought he was slowly closing to retirement?

[Ghostwalker]

yeah saw that score, has max still got it? as thought he was slowly closing to retirement?

 

well he has been pretty good as reserve but not as a 1-5 rider.

 

 

interviews from several of tonights meetings can be found here:

 

http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/radiosporten/nyhe....asp?grupp=7514

 

[Anders]

SWEDISH ELITSERIEN ROUND 1

Tuesday April 28th 2009

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

INDIANERNA - ROSPIGGARNA 59-37

Attendence: 5033

 

Indianerna (home) 59

1. Grzegorz Walasek 2-3-3-3-3 = 14 (5)

2. Matej Ferjan 1*-3-X-0 = 4+1 (4)

3. Piotr Protasiewicz 3-2-3-2-2* = 12+1 (5)

4. Jesper B Monberg 1-1*-0-0 = 2+1 (4)

5. Rune Holta 2-2-3-2*-2 = 11+1 (5)

6. Simon Gustafsson 3-1*-2*-1*-2*-1* = 10+5 (6)

7. Leon Madsen 2*-N-1-3 = 6+1 (3)

8. David Rohlén

 

Rospiggarna (away) 37

1. Greg Hancock 3-3-2-3-3-1 = 15 (6)

2. Maciej Janowski 0-R-N-N = 0 (2)

3. Janusz Kolodziej 2-1*-0-1*-0-0 = 4+2 (6)

4. Henrik Gustafsson 0-1-2-1-3 = 7 (5)

5. Ryan Sullivan 3-1-2-2-1-0 = 9 (6)

6. Freddie Eriksson 1-0-0-1 = 2 (4)

7. Jonas Messing 0-0-N-0 = 0 (3)

8. -

 

*-*-*

 

VARGARNA - IKAROS SMEDERNA 43-53

Attendence: 2381

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Vargarna (home) 43

1. Scott Nicholls 1-3-1*-2*-1 = 8+2 (5)

2. Joe Screen 3-1-0-1 = 5 (4)

3. Edward Kennett 2-2-0-0 = 4 (4)

4. Tai Woffinden 0-0-1-2-1 = 4 (5)

5. Adam Shields 3-3-1*-3-0 = 10+1 (5)

6. Kim Nilsson 0-0-N-2 = 2 (3)

7. Adam Skornicki 2-3-2*-2-1*-0 = 10+2 (6)

8. Jonas Andersson

 

Ikaros Smederna (away) 53

1. Krzysztof Kasprzak 2-1-0-3-3 = 9 (5)

2. Daniel King 0-3-1-0 = 4 (4)

3. Magnus Zetterström 1-1*-3-0-3 = 8+1 (5)

4. Troy Batchelor 3-2-2-2*-2* = 11+2 (5)

5. Wieslaw Jagus 1*-3-0-1 = 5+1 (4)

6. Linus Eklöf 1-0-N-0 = 1 (3)

7. Mikael Max 3-2-2*-3-3-2* = 15+2 (6)

8. Robert Henderson

 

*-*-*

 

PIRATERNA - LEJONEN 62-34

Attendence: 3680

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Piraterna (home) 62

1. Rafal Dobrucki 3-2*-1-3-X = 9+1 (5)

2. Robert Kosciecha 1-3-3-0 = 7 (4)

3. Jonas Davidsson 3-3-2-2-2 = 12 (5)

4. Damian Balinski 2*-2*-1*-2* = 7+4 (4)

5. Emil Sajfutdinov 1-2-3-0-3 = 9 (5)

6. Linus Sundström 2*-N-0-2* = 4+2 (3)

7. Antonio Lindbäck 3-3-2*-3-3 = 14+1 (5)

8. Oliver Berntzon 0 = 0 (1)

 

Lejonen (away) 34

1. Nicki Pedersen 2-0-3-X-3-Fn = 8 (5)

2. Zbigniew Suchecki 0-N-1-1 = 2 (3)

3. Dave Watt 0-0-0-N-1*-2 = 3+1 (5)

4. Chris Holder 1-1-1-1-1* = 5+1 (5)

5. Leigh Adams 2-1-3-2-2-3 = 13 (6)

6. Robert Pettersson N-N-N-0 = 0 (1)

7. Ricky Kling 1-0-0-0-1 = 2 (5)

8. Dennis Andersson 0-1 = 1 (2)

 

*-*-*

 

ELIT VETLANDA - VÄSTERVIK 57-39

Attendence: 3468

 

Elit Vetlanda took a seemingly comfortable win in a fairly entertaining meeting, but the score doesn't reflect the meeting. Västervik rode well and was only down by four (38-34) after twelve heats, but crashed and burned in the later stages, despite some good chases which they couldn't turn into passes.

 

Highlight of the night being Gollob's two man pass on two bends in heat 8. Excellent stuff from vintage Gollob.

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Elit Vetlanda (home) 57

1. Lee Richardson 3-1-1-2*-3 = 10+1 (5)

2. Peter Ljung 2*-2-0-2*-2* = 8+3 (5)

3. Jaroslaw Hampel 3-0-2-3-1 = 9 (5)

4. Karol Zabik F-2-1*-0 = 3+1 (4)

5. Jason Crump 3-3-3-3-3 = 15 (5)

6. Sebastian Aldén 3-2*-1*-0-3-3 = 12+2 (6)

7. Robin Aspegren 0-N-N-0 = 0 (2)

8. Anders Mellgren

 

Västervik (away) 39

1. Chris Harris 0-1-1*-0 = 2+1 (4)

2. Bjarne Pedersen 1-3-2-2-2 = 10 (5)

3. Niels-Kristian Iversen 2-2*-1*-1-0 = 6+1 (5)

4. Grigorijs Laguta 1*-3-3-1-0 = 8+1 (5)

5. Tomasz Gollob 1-3-2-0-1 = 7 (5)

6. Billy Forsberg 2-0-0-2 = 4 (4)

7. Kevin Doolan 1*-0-0-1* = 2+2 (4)

8. Pontus Aspgren

 

For Elit Vetlanda,

Richardson blew hot and cold. Ljung used his superb gating ability to win his points on the night, was chased hard by several away riders but kept his cool despite being under pressure. Hampel was OK, but can be better on the Vetlanda track. Zabik was usually in the thick of action but rode to far towards the inside, and thereby lost momentum and points. Crump was untouchable. Aldén was a definite match winner with a paid 14, beating Gollob 2-0 in the progress. Aspegren mixed it well in his two heats, but got passed both times.

 

For Västervik,

Harris didn't look like a Grand Prix rider, but he rarely does particulary well in Vetlanda. Pedersen tried hard and deserved everything he got, he even tried some outside line moves! Iversen was decent, but nothing special. Is usually better than this in Vetlanda. Laguta did more than his fair share of the job, tried hard even when he didn't beat an opponent. Gollob had one trademark Gollob blowing past Hampel and Zabik in heat 8 was class, but that was that. Forsberg still has some way to go before being 100% match fit again. Doolan discovered that Vetlanda isn't an easy place to ride for the first time, had to pass Aspegren twice to earn his points.

 

Man of the match: Sebastian Aldén

 

Most exciting rider: Bjarne Pedersen (am I really writing this?)

 

*-*-*

 

NEXT ROUND - ROUND 2:

 

Tuesday May 5th 2009

Lejonen - Indianerna

Dackarna - Piraterna

Ikaros Smederna - Elit Vetlanda

Vargarna - Rospiggarna

 

 

[Ghostwalker]

tnx Anders for your compilation of tonights meetings. Hopefully Vetlanda wont be so successful next week but i anticipate you will

Edited April 28, 2009 by Ghostwalker

[Anders]

tnx andres for your compilation of tonights meetings. Hopefully Vetlanda wont be so successful next week but i anticipate you will

 

An away win would be nice, but there aren't any easy away meetings I'm afraid. Jagus won't be scoring 5 points next week, even though I doubt Max will be scoring a paid 17 either...

 

I'll be there anyway!

[Ghostwalker]

An away win would be nice, but there aren't any easy away meetings I'm afraid. Jagus won't be scoring 5 points next week, even though I doubt Max will be scoring a paid 17 either...

 

I'll be there anyway!

 

I think Vaculik or Buczek might be an option for next weeks meeting especially Vaculik. He apparently rode very well the past weekend.

Edited April 28, 2009 by Ghostwalker