The champion of champions offered pure goosebumps in the first episode.
When the icon Tony Rickardsson was celebrated – and he revealed the giant ice cream.
– You get a little moved, says an emotional Tony in the SVT program.
The celebrated SVT program “Master of Masters” is back and right in the first program on Sunday evening it became emotional. When it was time for the very first tribute film, they got off to a flying start with the icon Tony Rickardsson Immediately.
Tony’s cheeky
He is one of the world’s best speedway racers of all time and took home an incredible six individual WC golds, a further five WC team golds and was awarded both the Jerring Prize and the Bragdguldet.
“A true sporting hero who never held back. In a sport full of speed and danger where anything can happen, he became our greatest of all time with unbeatable victory gestures and many memorable moments. After an incomparable career, this beloved, eleven-time world champion is a giant in the context of motorsport,” says Mike Leijnegard at the beginning of the video.
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The focus will be on a particular moment from his career, namely the 1994 World Cup final in Denmark. When Rickardsson is pitted against the giant and the idol Hans Nielsenon his own home ground, and then a giant cheek is revealed.
– If there was anyone you wanted to beat, it was Hans Nielsen. But I had so much trouble with my engines, they just kept breaking. So I took a chance and called his engine tuner and asked if I could rent an engine for the WC final, says Tony in tonight’s program.
– He replied that they will bring seven engines and train with all of them and then they will put the seventh one aside. I could borrow it. So I had to wait for the worst engine, but I screwed it on my bike before the final.
The Rival’s Greeting
It then became a super drama when Rickardsson and Nielsen were pitted against each other in the very last final heat in a pure showdown for the WC gold. Where Tony snuffed out the Dane and secured his very first career WC title.
– It felt so incredibly nice in the whole body. I could only shake my head, I didn’t think that would happen. To be able to stand at the top of the podium in Denmark with Hans by my side, my big idol from younger days, it was absolutely fantastic!, says an emotional and clearly touched Rickardsson in the program.
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Then comes a big surprise when rival Hans Nielsen gets in touch with a video greeting to the Swede.
– Hey Tony! I heard, many years later, that you borrowed the engine from my team. Of course you get a little disappointed… But uh, you did very well!, says the Dane in SVT.
– That Hans came in and said hello means a lot. But it was even funnier that he didn’t know that the seventh engine was loaned to me, haha, admits the Swedish legend with a laugh.
READ MORE: Tony Rickardsson unknown talent in a completely different sport – was a teammate of one of our greatest: “Then I got tired”
All the other participants applaud after the powerful tribute film to a real giant.
– You could see that it still hurt for him (Nielsen), says Sebastian Larsson, who is full of admiration for what Tony Rickardsson has achieved during his career.
– It must be quite unique that one person can put a sport on the map as much as he did. He touches people.
– I have grown up with his career and he has made the sport what it is and that I am quite interested and know a lot about the sport. It’s thanks to Tony. He is absolutely one of the best we have ever had in Sweden, adds Anja Pärson.
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