Meet Niclas Svensson, Sweden’s latest Ice Speedway star

While growing up in the Örnsköldsvik Municipality – home of the famous Kallehov circuit and the epicentre of the discipline in Sweden – was undeniably a factor in the thirty-five-year-old’s choice of sport, it was his father, Ice Speedway legend Stefan Svensson, who he credits with his involvement.

“If it wasn’t for my father, I’d probably never have got into the sport,” he admits. “He has a wealth of experience and is a real enthusiast for the sport. He helps me with everything – studding tyres and maintaining the motorbikes – and he’s at every single training session and competition to see how I and the bike are performing so he can fine-tune the bike as well as possible. It has really paid off.”

A bronze medallist all the way back in 1992, Stefan Svensson finally retired from top-flight racing in 2024 when he signed off in style at the age of sixty-five with victory at the deciding Final of the season at Heerenveen.

The following year it was the turn of Niclas to dazzle the Dutch fans as he won back-to-back Finals in Heerenveen to close to within two points of champion Martin Haarahiltunen and secure series silver before this year claiming victory in mid-April in the Thialf Ice Stadium and in the process striking gold for the first time.

It should come as no surprise to discover that Niclas – who when he is not racing runs his own plumbing business – was an early convert to the joy of motorcycles.

“The first time I sat on a motorbike, I was five years old. It was a homemade minibike built by my father with an engine from a Puch moped, a stainless steel tubular frame and twelve-inch wheels. Before I really got into Ice Speedway I did a bit of Motocross which I enjoyed but never took very seriously. Once I gave ice racing a go, I felt that this sport suited me – I enjoyed the competitive aspect and achieved good results quite quickly, so I suppose it really is in my blood.”

What is more surprising is that Niclas waited until he was sixteen before he threw his leg over an Ice Speedway machine and then waited another seven years before making his competition debut, although he very quickly felt at home in the saddle instead of the grandstand.

“I like the competition format. It’s so intense during the short time we’re out on the ice and the excitement, the build-up, getting into the zone and performing to the best of my ability during my heats gives me an adrenaline rush.”

After taking a break in 2024, when Niclas returned to action he was rejuvenated by his lay-off and enjoyed a sensational season that saw him come oh-so close to dethroning his compatriot Haarahiltunen before, with the defending champion sidelined through injury, taking the title this year.

“I didn’t have any great expectations of myself at all [in 2025]. The fact that it went so well surprised me and made me so happy that I was satisfied with my silver, even though it was so close to gold. This season it felt fantastic to step up onto the top step of the podium and win the FIM World Championship, but I still wish Martin had the chance to defend his title.”

With the championship sewn-up, Niclas received a hero’s welcome on his return to Örnsköldsvik.

“When we came home, some friends had put up a large sign and lit torches along the road leading to my house. I’ve also received congratulations and a bouquet of flowers from our motorcycling association, Örnsköldsvik’s energy company marked the occasion with a local advert and I’ve received loads of congratulations from acquaintances, relatives and friends.”