Swedish ice speedway racer, Martin Haarahiltunen, won a prestigious event yesterday in Togliatti, Russia ahead of a star studded field, including all four World Champions in the sport since 2005 - Russians Dmitry Koltakov, Dmitry Khomitsevich, current champion Daniil Ivanov and Nikolay Krasnikov.
A pairs competition, the match joined six Russian riders with six European riders through via drawing the names out of a hat. Haarhiltunen was joined up with three times World Champion, Koltakov.
Meanwhile the other Swede in the competition, Niclas Svensson, raced together with 2017 World Champion Silver medalist, Igor Konokov. They came in third place, whilst eight times World Champion, Krasnikov picked up second with Germany's Hans Weber.
The result bodes well for the Swedes as the field was made up entirely of riders who will take part in next week's 2020 World Championship starting in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Haarahiltunen was the top scoring European with seven points and won the race-off between the top three riders from the continent.
However, it was the Russians who dominated as usual, with Konokov and Khomitsevich dropping just one point piece. They finished equal with 14 points after 15 heats.
Check out the video below from the Mega Lada club, who hosted the event.
