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Full Name : Gerrit Oege Schukken

Nationality : Dutch

Date of birth/age : 13-01-1978, 33 years old

Place of Birth : Tjerkwerd, Netherlands

How did you start in ice speedway?
After riding motor cross for a few years, I met Tjitte Bootsma and Rene Stellingwerff, then purchased an old Jawa, and started training.  Last year I bought a Tibo Frame from Sweden and started riding internationally.

What is the best advice you can give to somebody young or old hoping to ride an ice speedway bike?
Just start! you wont regret it!

Are you racing for any teams this season (if so, who?)?
Not at the moment.  I currently ride alone, but whe have a close group of riders and fanatics who make it feel almost like a team

How/where/when do you practice?
In the Summer I do fitness work and motorcross, in Winter (if there is ice), I ride on the lakes in Holland. Once a year, I also travel to Sweden or Finland

Do you have any pre-race superstitions?
Not realy, i just don't hesitate to go to the start line like some racers do, waiting and going to the start line at the last moment.  I dont do that... when I hit the ice, I go directly to the start line and I'm ready!

Your opinion on: a) - The best thing(s) about Ice Speedway & b) - The worst thing(s) about Ice Speedway:
B: The worst thing about ice racing is only one thing, the f******* diesel prices! A: The rest is all good - the travel, the racing, and meeting nice people and seeing very nice places.

Have you suffered any injuries? If so, what?
No...not yet, only some cuts and bruises

Your typical pre-race meal (if any)?
About 3 or 4 hours before a race, I eat a lot - pasta and such, that gives a lot of energy.  During an event, I snack on energy bars and dirnk juces and suchlike.

What are your personal aspirations/goals for this season?
Reaching the European finals. Last year I almost qualified, and this year I want to reach them.

What is your best ever result?
4th place in Gniezno, Poland, 12th in Wk qualification, and 11th in the  European Championship semi-finals

What is your favourite track?
That is the Mega-Lada stadion in Togliatti, Russia, and the ice track in Assen in the Netherlands   

Your tip for 'one to watch' / future star this season?
I think it would be Igor Kononov, riding for Kaustic Sterlitamak from Russia.  He might be the most likely to take over the crown from Nicolai Krasnikov, the reigning World champion

Favourite pastime(s) outside of Speedway?
Motorcross and enduro - the best competion is in South Wales, from Dawn to Dusk (the 24 hour ride)

On a lighter note...your favourite 'tipple' (alcoholic drink!)?!
Just plain Beer (and maybe sometimes a bit of Vodka!)

Who is the best rider you have ever seen?
That is a difficult question, but next to Nicolai Krasnikov and Igor Kononov, I think it would be Andrej Gavrilkin or Dmitri Koltakov - both crazy young riders from Russia!

Who do you think will win the Ice Speedway World Team and Individual Championships?
I have to say, I think it will be the Russians - I hope Individual will be Igor Kononov, and I'd like for Austria to win the Team Championship this year

Finally, do you/have you ever raced summer/regular Speedway?
No I haven't.  I think that for ice racing, motorcross is a better background/training tool, but i would like to try it some time!