The weekend in Sanok belonged entirely to Franz Zorn. The Austrian won both finals of the Texom European Individual Ice Speedway Championship and was able to enjoy the defence of his championship title already during the main phase of Sunday’s competition. Silver went to Swede Jimmy Olsen, who broke his streak of 3rd European Championship places. The bronze was won by Germany’s Max Niedermaier.
Sunday’s competition, like the day before, was not short of emotions. In the 4th race, there was a dangerous fall in which Joakim Söderström and Sebastian Reitsma were injured. The former no longer continued in the competition, replaced by reserve rider Radek Hutla. The Dutchman, on the other hand, returned to the track. Michal Knapp also made a very unlucky start to Sunday’s competition and until the very end the Polish representative failed to win even a single point. The Pole’s will to fight could not be denied. However, the equipment failed again, even the borrowed engine from Lukas Hutla, which Knapp used during the second final.
In race number 12, the main favourites Franz Zorn, Jimmy Olsen and Luca Bauer met each other. The Austrian was best, closely followed by Olsen. Bauer, on the other hand, came at the end of the pack for the second time that day, squandering his chances for a good result in Sanok. – It was not my day. I had my bike prepared very well, but my psyche failed me,” said Bauer.
However, Max Niedermaier, who replaced the injured Marc Geyer at the last moment, joined the fight for the medals. Finns Max Koivula and Heikki Huusko and Hutla also did not give up on their dreams of a podium finish. In the end, however, they fell a little short of this goal. Sunday’s tournament ended with Zorn succeeding Olsen and Niedermayer. The medal order was identical.
– The last time I was in Sanok was six years ago. I managed to ride some great races during that weekend. The track and the organisation of the tournament were of the highest standard. Our goal was to finish in the top five, we managed to win a medal and I am very happy about that. The year started very well for me. I won promotion to the World Championships, now I’m carrying a medal from Sanok. I am looking forward to what the next tournaments will bring,” said Niedermayer.
Jimmy Olsen also showed a very good side in Sanok. The Swede coped with his equipment problems from Saturday and impressed with his speed. This year’s championship interrupted his series of third places.
– I am very happy to have silver. It was a successful tournament for me and my team. I leave Sanok very satisfied,” concluded Jimmy Olsen.
Unrivalled throughout the weekend, however, was Zorn. The Austrian was virtually unbeatable throughout the weekend. He only lost one race on Saturday, coming in behind Bauer. This is the third European Championship gold won by Zorn. He won them all in Sanok.
– The track was very good all weekend. I am thinking here of both the organisation of the competition and the reaction of the audience. You can always count on fans in Sanok. It was a fantastic two finals, I won gold for the third time. I did it in 2008, 2023 and now, in 2024. We’ll see if I can do it again next year. Right now I want to enjoy this success. We did a great job with the team – emphasised Zorn.
Final classification of the second day of the Texom European Individual Ice Speedway Championship:
1. Franz Zorn 18 (3,3,3,3,3,3)
2. Jimmy Olsen 16 (3,3,2,3,3,2)
3. Max Niedermeier 14 (2,3,3,2,3,1)
4. Max Koivula 11 (2,2,3,2,2,0)
5. Lukaš Hutla 11 (2,2,2,3,2)
6. Jimmy Hörnell 9 (1,2,1,2,3)
7. Heikki Huusko 8 (3,1,3,W,1)
8. Luca Bauer 7 (3,0,0,3,1)
9. Maximilian Niedermaier jr. 7 (0,3,2,2,0)
10. Andrej Diviš 7 (2,1,1,1,2)
11. Jasper Iwema 7 (1,2,1,1,2)
12. Martin Posch 5 (1,2,2,u,0)
13. Radek Hutla 3 (1,1,0,1,0)
14. Franz Mayerbüchler 2 (0,0,0,1,1)
15. Sebastian Reitsma 2 (W,0,1,0,1)
16. Michał Knapp 0 (0,W,d,d,ns)
17. Joakim Söderström 0 (u/-,-,-,-,-)
Race after race:
1. Huusko, Diviš, Iwema, Knapp
2. Zorn, Max Niedermeier, Posch, Maxi. Niedermeier
3. Olsen, Koivula, Hörnell, Mayerbüchler
4. Bauer, L. Hutla, R. Hutla, Reitsma (W)
5. Max Niedermeier, Koivula, Huusko, Bauer
6. Olsen, Posch, R. Hutla, Knapp (W/2min)
7. Zorn, L. Hutla, Diviš, Mayerbüchler
8. Maxi. Niedermeier, Hörnell, Iwema, Reitsma
9. Huusko, Posch, Reitsma, Mayerbüchler
10. Max Niedermeier, L. Hutla, Hörnell, Knapp (d)
11. Koivula, Maxi. Niedermeier, Diviš, R. Hutla
12. Zorn, Olsen, Iwema, Bauer
13. Zorn, Hörnell, R. Hutla, Huusko (W)
14. Bauer, Maxi. Niedermeier, Mayerbüchler, Knapp (d)
15. Olsen, Max Niedermeier, Diviš, Reitsma
16. L. Hutla, Koivula, Iwema, Posch (u)
17. Max Niedermeier, Iwema, Mayerbüchler, R. Hutla
18. Zorn, Koivula, Reisma, Knapp (ns)
19. Hörnell, Diviš, Bauer, Posch
20. Olsen, L. Hutla, Huusko, Maxi. Niedermeier
Baraż: Max Niedermeier, Koivula, Hornell, L. Hutla
Finał: Zorn, Olsen, Max Niedermeier, Koivula
Klasyfikacja generalna Texom European Individual Ice Speedway Championship:
1. Franz Zorn 35
2. Jimmy Olsen 28
3. Max Niedermeier 25
4. Max Koivula 22
5. Lukaš Hutla 21
6. Luca Bauer 21
7. Jimmy Hörnell 16
8. Heikki Huusko 16
9. Jasper Iwema 15
10. Andrej Diviš 13
11. Martin Posch 12
12. Maximilian Niedermaier jr. 10
13. Sebastian Reitsma 6
14. Franz Mayerbüchler 5
15. Radek Hutla 3
16. Michał Knapp 2
17. Joakim Söderström 2
