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FIM SuperEnduro World Championship

Grand Prix of Finland
Helsinki February, 1st
SuperEnduro is coming to Finland!

Set to make its first ever stop in Finland, the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship will arrive on Finnish soil next weekend at Messukeskus, Helsinki.

It is the Suomen Moottoriliittory (SML), represented by former motocrosser Kurt LJUNGQVIST and its president, who have the honour of hosting the third round of the 2015 season. Running in conjunction with the Helsinki Motor Show the GP of Finland is set to become a popular success...

Organising a Supercross event during the Helsinki Motor Show in past years, the SML needed a change and it is therefore natural that they chose SuperEnduro. The stars of the discipline will battle it out in the largest exhibition centre in Finland... The Messukeskus of Helsinki! The largest convention and conference centre in Finland it received more than a million visitors in 2013, and has hosted many concerts such as David BOWIE.

Helsinki, the capital and largest city in Finland, is located in the region of Uusimaa. This multicultural city, (over 130 nationalities reside in the city) of about 602,000 inhabitants, is spread over a peninsula surrounded by a large number of islands. Open commercial port on the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, Helsinki has often been used for movie shooting, at the time of the Cold War, to represent the former Russian imperial capital, St. Petersburg, to whom it is so close.

SEISTOLA facing the specialists of the discipline...

Despite his victory at the German Grand Prix, where he beat David KNIGHT (GB - KTM) to the overall win by the narrowest of margins, 2015 hasn’t started as easily as expected for Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM). Although the five-time World Champion has a 13-point championship lead ahead of Knighter, the giant of the Isle of Man, and his countryman Jonny WALKER (GB - KTM), have showed that Taddy is beatable. The fastest rider during the Akrapovic SuperPole since the beginning of the championship, WALKER hopes his victory in the third heat in Germany will give him the confidence he lacked at the opening round in Gdansk (Poland).

Behind BLAZUSIAK, KNIGHT and WALKER, more riders will attempt to upstage the three aforementioned championship leaders. Americans Taylor ROBERT (KTM - 69pts) and Cody WEBB (KTM - 68pts) and Spaniard Alfredo GOMEZ (HVA - 67pts) are determined to catch the riders ahead of them, while dueling it out with one another. Advantage goes to ROBERT who seems more and more comfortable on European tracks and who was close to clinching his first victory in Riesa (Germany) earlier this month. Dani GIBERT (E - Gas Gas), a specialist of the reversed start, could also join in the fight. For Mario ROMAN (ESP - KTM), Paul BOLTON (GB - KTM) or Xavi LEON (E - HVA), the goal will not be the same... In fact, these three “Non-Grading List” racers have the opportunity to secure a place in the Top 10 and to afford them a trip to Mexico and Brazil. If ROMAN (8th) and BOLTON (9th) are in a very favorable position, LEON will be challenged and will be obliged to take 7 points to Danny MCCANNEY (GB - HVA) to claim the 10th qualifying spot. But the 2013 Junior World Champion, after disappointing results in the first two Grand Prix, will seek to recover and to show that he is much better than this 10th position... Same story for Kyle REDMOND (USA - Beta) and especially Giacomo REDONDI (I - Beta). For their part, Eloi SALSENCH (E - Gas Gas) and Aurélien ADDESSO (F - Kawasaki) will seek to qualify again... But the Finnish public will only have eyes for Matti SEISTOLA (SF - Sherco)... With his spectacular riding style, the Finn will seek to play the spoiler, showing that he can compete directly with the protagonists of the discipline...

TREMAINE - LINUSSON: The fight continues!

In the Juniors, the battle between current leader Ty TREMAINE (USA - KTM) and his closest rival Andreas LINUSSON (S - KTM) looks set to deliver more thrilling racing. Indeed, the American, who was beaten at the German Grand Prix by the Swede, will be looking to get back to his victorious ways. After an excellent result at his home round of the series where he finished third Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D - KTM) will be looking to continue his impressive form. The German will have to be wary of Gethin HUMPHREYS (GB - HVA), who is getting more and more comfortable on his Husqvarna. Beware also of South Africans Blake GUTZEIT (RSA - HVA) and Wade YOUNG (RSA - KTM) who achieved very encouraging results in Riesa and could be even more competitive this weekend. Jack EDMONDSON (GB - KTM), Tim APOLLE (D - HVA), Oskar KACZMARCZY K (PL - KTM) and Owain HUMPHREYS (GB - HVA) will continue their respective campaigns while trying to get closer to the Top 5...

BRISTOW on her way to a second title?

Finally, after the Women’s first Grand Prix in Germany, which saw Emma BRISTOW (GB - Sherco) winning each of her two heats, the outcome of the Women's category will be decided on Saturday afternoon. With a 6 points advantage over Sandra GOMEZ (E - HVA) and 10 points up on Jane DANIELS (GB - HVA), Emma BRISTOW holds the psychological advantage and could secure a second consecutive SuperEnduro title. We will also keep an eye on the 2014 Endurocross Champion, Lexi PECHOUT (CAN - Sherco) who after disappointing debut will be looking to impress in Helsinki.

After the first two Grand Prix, Taddy BLAZUSIAK leads the Prestige class but WALKER, ROBERT, KNIGHT and others have shown that he’s beatable. See you at 13.00 this Sunday, February 1st where the stars of SEWC await you once again for a great show in the heart of Helsinki!

Information:

- Helsinki (Finnish capital);
- Saturday, January 31st from 16.00: Women Class
- Sunday, February 1st from 13.00: Prestige and Junior class
- Organizer: Suomen Moottoriliitto ry (SML);
- Website: www.enduro-abc.com;
- Sequence: 3 heats for the Prestige class, 3 heats for Junior class and 2 heats for the Women Class;
- Airport: Helsinki