2018 FIM ICE SPEEDWAY GLADIATORS WORLD CHAMPION
TRIPLE CROWN FOR ICE KING KOLTAKOV
Dmitry Koltakov claimed his third FIM Ice Speeedway Gladiators World Championship in 2018, adding to the titles he won in 2015 and 2017 with his most dominant campaign yet.
The 28-year-old kicked off the season where he left off last year, taking back-to-back victories in the opening two rounds in Kazakhstan in front of 4,500 spectators at the Alau Ice palace in Astana. After dropping just two points on the first day he then produced an unbeaten seven-ride maximum in the second round to set the tone for the season.
Another unbeaten maximum on home ice in Togliatti stretched Koltakov’s points advantage but he was pegged back on the second night at the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium by compatriot Dmitry Khomitsevich, who snatched victory in the Final on the last lap.
Koltakov produced further maximums on German soil in Berlin and Inzell before he wrapped up the title in the Netherlands, where victory and the title was confirmed as early as Heat 13 when he beat nearest rival Daniil Ivanov to move out of reach in the championship.
Still the fans came in their thousands for the second night in Heerenveen and they were treated to another Koltakov masterclass and another maximum score - his sixth of the series. Whilst the Russians again claimed the top three positions in the championship there was an impressive debut from Sweden’s Martin Haarahiltunen, who won his first ever race on the opening night in Astana and finished fourth overall.
However, it is Koltakov who remains the Ice King, with three gold and three silver medals from the last six years.
PALMARES
3 World titles – 2018, 2017, 2015
4 Ice Racing Team titles – 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
