For Pontus Aspgren, today's message about the smiths' decision not to participate in the league comes as a bit surprising.

- As far as I know, they haven't made a 100 percent decision. Without a definitive decision being made in July, depending on whether we can take in the audience or not. So that's a bit more than I know, and then I still talked to the club last day. The only thing I know is that they do not run unless they are allowed to take in any audience, so there will be some double sentences. But if so, it is sad for everyone involved. It is difficult to say what is right and wrong in this situation, but if you think about the economic part it can be a wise decision, he says.

Aspgren is Sweden's best Swedish driver, and has been hit hard financially by the corona pandemic, and can be hit even harder now that the smiths are not running in the elite series in 2020.

- Sporting and financially it affects me incredibly much. My club should not run, this is my job, and as it looks now I have no Swedish job this season. Right now I'm on my way to Poland and will drive there instead, says Pontus Aspgren.

Much is hanging in the air for Aspgren right now. Can he find a new Swedish club address for the league start, and can he combine any governing in Sweden with the Polish league?

- Should the smiths not run, then maybe I can be lent to another Swedish club. I have to drive, but it is also about the right financial conditions. As it seems now, it can be difficult to combine Poland with Sweden. Hopefully, there will be changes to that bit in August to make it easier to get between the countries. Much is very unclear right now. Right now I'm focusing on Poland, and we'll see in August if I can drive in Sweden as well. I hope not to have to choose Sweden. But in the worst case, it can be so, says Pontus Aspgren, who also runs for Lokomotiv Daugavpils in the Polish second league. 

Do you understand the decision that the smiths made?

- I have a hundred percent understanding of it. Then I think it's a shame, I had hoped you could solve it. But the club manages the economy, and the smiths have gone bankrupt in the past and know how bad things can go. I think it looks more like 2021, because there is a risk that they will bleed too much and lose sponsors if you drive with a B-stressed team. I understand that they think so, says Pontus Aspgren.

How much have you lost financially on the corona pandemic?

- I've lost three months' income, and as a speedway driver, I work six months a year. And then everything will be enough for buses, mechanics, trips and my expenses. I have been living on previously run-in money and taken extra jobs as a craftsman. But I hope we get started now, and can catch up on what I've lost, says Pontus Aspgren.

CLIP: The blacksmiths do not line up without an audience (9/6)

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