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Post by mikael on Apr 17, 2018 7:16:09 GMT
Six times Motorcycle Speedway World Champion Ivan Mauger (New Zealand) passed away yesterday, 16 April 2018. Six world titles - that has never been bettered.   In Viborg, Denmark, in 1975 (second from the left, with Ole Olsen (Denmark, 3 X World Champion) on his right). |
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Post by mikael on Apr 17, 2018 7:24:10 GMT
(I have not followed motorcycle speedway for ages, but these news touch me a bit since Mauger was one of my childhood motorsport heroes. My childhood home was just a few kilometres away from a speedway/motocross "facility". The speedway track was of international standard (the motocross track wasn't) and I have enjoyed watching several Ivan Mauger - Ole Olsen duels there.)
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Post by René on Apr 17, 2018 10:20:21 GMT
Thanks for sharing Mikael.
I remember the speedway races from the late seventies/early eighties from tele. They were always spectacular but I don't remember the names of the riders to be honest. I am sure I must have seen Ivan in action more than once in these races.
The atmosphere in that second (colour) picture is wonderful!
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Post by charleselan on Apr 17, 2018 12:01:53 GMT
That is very sad news Mikael and thank you for bringing it to our attention, as I doubt many of the sites we all visit from time to time will have the information to hand.
Ivan Mauger was an outstanding sportsman and truly great Speedway rider, the record of 6 World Championships proves that without contradiction. I believe he was a mentor of Ole Olsen in his early days and I remember the duels they had, although I wasn't a close follower of the sport in those days. However in the early 2000's I really "got into" Speedway thanks to some fantastic coverage on the satellite TV channels (my other half had a S*Y package on her TV when we first met). It is a fantastically dynamic sport with nothing contrived, just pure motorcycle racing.
Another motor sport icon has passed, but he has left a legacy of true greatness, thank you Ivan.
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Post by robmarsh on Apr 17, 2018 13:27:01 GMT
I used to watch speedway as teen ager and have always enjoyed it. We used to get coverage a couple of years ago which I watched when I could. Sadly that seems to have stopped now but as you say Charles pure motorcycle racing.
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Post by chrisb on Apr 17, 2018 19:52:24 GMT
his name was the only one I ever knew and followed a true genius -- rest in peace and thank you Ivan
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