Finally! After several long months of preparation, the FIM Maxxis World Enduro Championship was back in business this weekend at the 83rd edition of the legendary Finnish Päitsi race. On snowy and frozen ground, the stars of EnduroGP had to adopt a new riding style, quite different from their usual, and that of course benefited the local riders…
The first beneficiary of this particular Finnish Grand Prix was Aleksi JUKOLA (SF – KTM). The Finn, who participated in the entire World Enduro Championship in the colours of the Beta Boano team in 2015, showed just how comfortable he is in the snow. JUKOLA scored a double hit by becoming the first 24MX Leader in the EnduroGP (scratch) category, as well as in the Enduro 3 class. He is closely followed by Toni ERIKSSON (SF – KTM) and the 2017 EGP World Champion, Steve HOLCOMBE (GB – Beta).
In Enduro 2, Eero REMES (SF – TM) takes the lead. He took advantage of terrain which was favorable to him and is now 8 points ahead of his first pursuer, Alex SALVINI (I – Husqvarna). The Italian showed that he could mingle with the best Finns in these conditions. The Australian Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – Sherco) completes the Top 3 in E2.
Finally, in E1, the battle was tight between Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – Yamaha) and Brad FREEMAN (GB – Beta). But in the end it was the former, thanks to his win on Saturday, who leaves the Päijänne GP with the red 24MX Leader Plate – by just one point in front of his compatriot. The protégé of Petteri SILVAN (SF – 5 times World Champion), Jussi ARVAJA (SF – Sherco), takes 3rd place in the rankings…
With a high level of competition in all categories, this season already looks like an exciting one. While JUKOLA, REMES and MCCANNEY shine in their respective categories at the moment, the competition is fierce and they will have to work to keep hold of their 24MX Leader Plates. See you on April 28th and 29th in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, for an intense Round 2!
Provisional Classification:
EnduroGP: 1. Aleksi JUKOLA 35pts; 2. Eero REMES 33pts; 3. Toni ERIKSSON 30pts; 4. Steve HOLCOMBE 20pts; 5. Henri HIMMANEN 19pts…
Enduro 1: 1. Jamie MCCANNEY 31pts; 2. Brad FREEMAN 20pts; 3. Jussi ARVAJA 27pts; 4. Jiri LEINO 24pts; 5. Kalle JARVINEN 21pts…
Enduro 2: 1. Eero REMES 20pts; 2. Alex SALVINI 32pts; 3. Matthew PHILLIPS 25pts; 4. Matti OIKARI 24pts; 5. Deny PHILIPPAERTS 23pts…
Enduro 3: 1. Aleksi JUKOLA 40pts; 2. Toni ERIKSSON 34pts; 3. Steve HOLCOMBE 26pts; 4. Henri HIMMANEN 26pts; 5. Marko TARKKALA 20pts…