Last season, a slim form of the elite series in speedway started, starting in August due to the corona pandemic.

Now the year's planned series start is also postponed.

This time for four weeks.

The clubs through the league organization ESS (Elitspeedway Sweden) had a meeting before the weekend, and on Tuesday the decision was made to postpone the premiere four weeks ahead - but also a decision to implement the league in its entirety.

- The whole decision is pandemic-linked and all nine clubs completely agree that it is the right way to go.

We are now giving the vaccination process four more weeks and hope that the restrictions can ease closer to the summer, says ESS chairman Mikael Holmstrand to SVT Sport.

Holmstrand talks about four reasons for the decision.

Among other things, that sports' part in the new pandemic legislation will not be presented until the beginning of May, and that the clubs have not yet been informed of the extent of the new government support for culture and sports.

And that the union Svemo still has a start ban for all speedways in the country, so as not to burden healthcare.

- But the point that affects us the most is still the availability of drivers.

Since most foreign drivers are based in Poland, they move far from painlessly.

It is almost lock down in Poland and if you leave Poland you must have a fresh coronate test with you back.

It costs a penny, takes a lot of time and then it becomes quite unattractive for drivers to get to Sweden, says Mikael Holmstrand.

Believe in the audience in the arenas

Despite the series being postponed four weeks ahead, the number of rounds will not be reduced but instead some rounds at the end of the series will be added to the Thursdays that are also run.

The playoffs will also be decided as planned in September and early October.

Mikael Holmstrand is hopeful of being able to run matches with spectators this season.

- I think we can take in limited with an audience from 1 June.

The feeling is that the vaccination process has gained some momentum, and I also believe that another summer with financial support for culture, sports and tourism will be very costly from a government point of view, he says.

If there is no audience at all in the arenas this summer, it could be tougher.

- We can not do without an audience and without government support.

So either we need support or an audience to survive financially.

Last season, the clubs received almost one million each in support, so it made a very big difference, says Mikael Holmstrand.

CLIP: Antonio Lindbäck: "It just bubbles in the body" (October 10, 2020)

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Antonio Lindbäck happy after Masarnas SM gold.

Photo: Bildbyrån.