Finland GP preview: EnduroGP heads deep into the Scandinavian forests
The FIM Paulo Duarte EnduroGP World Championship reaches its third round of the season this weekend with the Grand Prix of Finland, taking place from May 22-24 in Vierumäki, within the surroundings of the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark.
After opening rounds in Italy and Spain, the world championship paddock now arrives at one of the most distinctive venues on the calendar. Finland, a country with a deep enduro tradition, returns to the schedule with terrain capable of shaping the outcome from the very first stages.
The Finnish round will bring together 122 riders from 15 countries, with a particularly strong EnduroGP entry featuring 37 riders and 10 manufacturers. The event is organised by Salpausselän Moottorikerho, which has laid out a 59-kilometre lap. Riders will complete it three times on both Saturday and Sunday, taking on the POLISPORT Extreme Test, the GMOTO Enduro Test and the EXPOTRADE Cross Test.
The terrain is expected to play a leading role throughout the weekend. Sand, rocks, roots and forest trails will form a demanding, highly physical course with little room for error. In such a closely fought championship, stamina and adaptability may prove just as important as outright speed.
The action begins on Friday evening with the AKRAPOVIC Super Test, scheduled for 18:30 local time at the Vierumäki Sports Institute. Josep García also arrives as the benchmark in this discipline, having set the fastest time in the opening two rounds of the year. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider will be chasing a third consecutive Super Test victory and another chance to reinforce his early-season authority.
In the EnduroGP standings, García lands in Finland with an 11-point advantage after dominating the Grand Prix of Spain, where he won both days. The Catalan now faces a significant change of scenery, moving away from the dry, demanding terrain of Oliana to a sandier, rockier and typically northern European surface. Another double win would allow him to open up a meaningful gap in the title fight.
Andrea Verona, second overall, remains his main challenger. The Italian, García’s KTM teammate, has finished on the podium on all four race days so far and needs to cut the deficit in Vierumäki to prevent the championship lead from slipping away too early. Zach Pichon, third with TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team, will be looking to regain momentum after an opening phase of the season affected by a hand injury.
Brad Freeman is another name to watch. The Beta rider and 10-time world champion already showed in Italy that he has the pace to win, although a crash in Spain slowed his charge. Even so, he remains inside the top five and arrives in Finland determined to fight for victory again.
Steve Holcombe, fifth in the provisional standings, needs a clean weekend. The Sherco rider has mixed flashes of speed with crashes and mechanical issues, but the Finnish terrain could work in his favour. His teammates Antoine Magain and Hamish Macdonald also arrive in strong form, especially the New Zealander, who claimed his best EnduroGP result in Spain with second place.
Another rider who could benefit from the Scandinavian setting is Albin Norrbin. The Swede is fresh from his first Enduro3 victory and already showed in Spain that he can mix it with the best in the overall class. On more familiar terrain, it would be no surprise to see him close to the podium again.
EnduroGP World Championship Standings
- Josep García, KTM — 75 points
- Andrea Verona, KTM — 64 points
- Zach Pichon, TM — 45 points
- Brad Freeman, Beta — 40 points
- Steve Holcombe, Sherco — 39 points
- Antoine Magain, Sherco — 35 points
- Hamish Macdonald, Sherco — 34 points
- Albin Norrbin, Husqvarna — 27 points
- Morgan Lesiardo, Triumph — 25 points
- Max Ahlin, Honda — 21 points
The Grand Prix will also carry special significance for KR69 WET, which will be competing on home soil. Roni Kytönen will be the main Finnish reference in front of the home crowd, while teammate Axel Semb, the 2025 junior champion, continues to build experience in his debut EnduroGP season.
In Tusbaki Junior Enduro, Alberto Elgari arrives as championship leader after a solid start to the year with TM MOTO Boano Factory Enduro Team. The Italian holds a four-point advantage over Romain Dagna, the reigning Youth world champion and another rookie in the class. Behind them, Leo Joyon, Kevin Cristino and Thibault Giraudon complete the group of podium contenders.
The Putoline Oil Youth Enduro category arrives in Finland with a major absence. Riccardo Pasquato, the championship leader with Fantic, will miss the round due to an arm injury. His absence creates a clear opportunity for Pietro Scardina, second overall, who could leave Vierumäki at the top of the standings if he makes the most of the weekend. Simone Cagnoni, Yago Domínguez and Gabriele Melchiorri complete the top five heading into round three.
With García defending the lead, Verona under pressure to respond and several specialists ready to capitalise on the Nordic terrain, the Finnish GP is shaping up as a decisive test of who truly has championship-winning pace before the season moves into its central phase.
Credit photos: Future7Media
