{"id":40278,"date":"2018-03-13T08:42:31","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T07:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.enduro.nl\/?p=40278"},"modified":"2018-03-13T08:42:31","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T07:42:31","slug":"gp-of-finland-preview-the-infamous-paijanne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/40278\/gp-of-finland-preview-the-infamous-paijanne\/","title":{"rendered":"GP of Finland Preview: The Infamous P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"wk-finland-holcombe\"<\/a>Finally! Nearly five months after a historic season finale at the popular “Rund Um Zschopau\u201d in Germany,\u00a0EnduroGP\u00a0<\/strong>is back! And with an equally well-known event; \u2018P\u00e4itsi<\/strong>\u2019 (P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne Enduro)! The stars of the discipline will tackle this tough race for the second time in as many years, and this legendary race in northern Europe will be ready to provide an intense season opener.<\/p>\n

After the success of the first edition last year,\u00a0Alain\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Bastien BLANCHARD (ABC Communication)<\/strong>\u00a0quickly got back in touch with the\u00a0HMK<\/strong>, the organiser of this very famous event.\u00a0Kenneth LAAKSONEN<\/strong>, president of the\u00a0HMK<\/strong>, and\u00a0Mauri PENTILA\u00a0<\/strong>quickly responded in favour of running another winter Enduro in the World Championship calendar!<\/p>\n

Extreme conditions\u2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The\u00a0HMK<\/strong>, supported by the Finnish Federation (SML<\/strong>), made a point of showing that the sport of Enduro can be enjoyed even in very cold weather, and on snow and ice! This club has organised \u2018P\u00e4itsi<\/strong>‘ since 1927, and the event has been run every year except for a break during the Second World War (between 1940 and 1948). Previously known as “P\u00e4ij\u00e4nteen ymp\u00e4riajo”, the event takes place around\u00a0Lake P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne<\/strong>. The format is similar to that of a car rally and has seen a number of Finnish World Champions such as\u00a0Kari TIAINEN<\/strong>,\u00a0Petteri SILVAN<\/strong>,\u00a0Juha SALMINEN<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Mika AHOLA<\/strong>\u00a0crowned. In 2017 another local rider won the\u00a0Finnish GP<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne\u00a0<\/strong>in his very first participation:\u00a0Eero REMES (TM)<\/strong>! The Finns even have a saying that you can\u2019t be a real Champion unless you have won (or at least, finished) P\u00e4itsi!<\/p>\n

Known as “the great Finnish adventure”, this two-day race attracts all types of riders, from experienced veterans to young novices. This year, the 250 entries (made up of EnduroGP + national riders) will start from\u00a0Vierum\u00e4ki\u00a0<\/strong>and battle their way through 11 hours 30mins of racing with 16 different special tests on Saturday, including two night tests! A further 7 hours 30mins and 12 special tests will follow on Sunday, before the riders arrive at the finish in\u00a0Helsinki<\/strong>. The riders will also have to face long and difficult transfers in the freezing cold, this will culminate in the crossing of\u00a0Lake P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne<\/strong>, which is frozen at this time of the year on its northern shore. This year the race is expected to be harder than ever since the weather is likely to be very different from last year, with much more snow and lower temperatures! So, it goes without saying; extreme conditions await the competitors at\u00a0P\u00e4itsi\u00a0<\/strong>2018!<\/p>\n

It is in this legendary setting that the riders will, on Saturday March 17, start the\u00a0GP of Finland<\/strong>\u00a0on frozen and largely snow-covered tracks. And who knows if this time, with a year of experience under their belts, the stars of\u00a0EnduroGP\u00a0<\/strong>will be able to challenge the local riders for the overall victory!<\/p>\n

\"Larrieu\"<\/p>\n

HOLCOMBE ready to defend his crown!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The\u00a0Grand Prix of Finland<\/strong>\u00a0will debut 2018\u2019s return to the Enduro 1, Enduro 2 and Enduro 3 class format. And, as in 2016, there will also be the ultimate scratch (overall) class named\u00a0EnduroGP<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

EnduroGP\u00a0<\/strong>World Champion in 2017\u2019s two-class format,\u00a0Steve HOLCOMBE (GB – Beta)<\/strong>\u00a0is facing a tricky task in 2018: defending his title against all the riders in the championship with the comeback of the scratch class! The old adage says: “The hardest thing is not only to win a title, but to defend it!<\/em>\u201d So we’ll see if this saying applies to the Brit who has worked very hard on his winter preparation and has already ridden in snowy conditions a few weeks ago. The factory Beta rider will not only aim for the overall title, but also for the Enduro 3 title.
\nHOLCOMBE\u00a0<\/strong>may well be the favourite to retain his crown, but there are many riders keen to take his place on the throne, starting in his own category E3.\u00a0Christophe NAMBOTIN (F)<\/strong>\u00a0is back to his first love; Gas Gas. The Frenchman has declared that it\u2019s the E3 title or nothing! He also has an eye on the\u00a0EnduroGP<\/strong>\u00a0title. In the same pit\u00a0Danny MCCANNEY (GB – Gas Gas)<\/strong>\u00a0will also be a favourite in the E3 category and the Brit will certainly have a shot at the EnduroGP title too.<\/p>\n

In the E2 class a large number of riders are also capable of claiming the\u00a0EnduroGP\u00a0<\/strong>title. Starting with the 2017 Vice-Champion,\u00a0Lo\u00efc LARRIEU (F – Yamaha)\u00a0<\/strong>and the very first EnduroGP Champion in history:\u00a0Matthew PHILLIPS (AUS – Sherco)<\/strong>, who is back in the World Championship despite his announcement last year that he would head home to Tasmania.
\nIn addition to these two stars,\u00a0Eero REMES<\/strong>, winner of\u00a0P\u00e4itsi\u00a0<\/strong>2017, will also be ready to attack for the class and overall titles and will hope to take advantage of his home\u00a0GP of Finland<\/strong>\u00a0to take charge early on.
\nAnd we can\u2019t rule out an ever-impressive\u00a0Christophe CHARLIER (F – Beta)\u00a0<\/strong>who will be ready to challenge after a very promising rookie season. While\u00a0Alex SALVINI (I – Husqvarna)\u00a0<\/strong>is back with\u00a0Franco MAYR<\/strong>\u00a0in his JET Racing team, and he will aim to prove that he still has all the qualities to be champion.<\/p>\n

Who can beat the Finns?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

There will be great competition in E1 too with the likes of Britain\u2019s\u00a0Jamie MCCANNEY (GB – Yamaha)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Brad FREEMAN (GB – Beta)<\/strong>, and Italy\u2019s\u00a0Davide GUARNERI (Honda)<\/strong>.
\nWe could also see\u00a0Eemil POHJOLA (SF – Gas Gas)<\/strong>, who was ultra dominant in the Junior class at\u00a0P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne\u00a0<\/strong>2017, lead the E1 charge after Round 1.
\nBut there are many local riders who could come to steal the spotlight from all these stars. Former World Enduro rider\u00a0Marko TARKKALA (SF – TM)\u00a0<\/strong>is ready to enjoy the taste of victory again. And\u00a0Aleksi JUKOLA (SF – KTM)<\/strong>,\u00a0Jussi ARVAJA (SF – Sherco)\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Henry OLENIUS (SF – TM)<\/strong>\u00a0could also put in strong performances.<\/p>\n

In addition,\u00a0Antoine BASSET (F – Gas Gas)\u00a0<\/strong>will finally return to competition after a year of recovery to treat a cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee. And\u00a0Thomas OLDRATI (I – Honda)<\/strong>,\u00a0Deny PHILIPPAERTS (I – Beta)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Josh GOTTS (GB – TM)<\/strong>, could all do well in these extreme conditions.<\/p>\n

Note that there will be no Junior or FIM Youth 125cc classes this year at the\u00a0P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne GP<\/strong>. Their first event will be the Spanish GP in April.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0Finnish GP<\/strong>\u00a0is much awaited by\u00a0EnduroGP\u00a0<\/strong>enthusiasts all around the world, but also by the many Finnish spectators who will come in their droves into the snowy forests to watch the action. Also anticipating this special GP will be the International and National Press and Media. The\u00a0HMK\u00a0<\/strong>have knowledgeably and passionately prepared this year\u2019s\u00a0P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne\u00a0<\/strong>Enduro with the aim to show a new side to Enduro for 2018. Get ready for a breathtaking season opener which will be met with nerves and anticipation by all the riders!<\/p>\n

Practical Info:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

– Vierum\u00e4ki (P\u00e4ij\u00e4t-H\u00e4me region) ;
\n– 120kms north of Helsinki ;
\n– Saturday 17 March : Start 07:00 \u2013 Finish 18:30 (Vierum\u00e4ki);
\n– Sunday 18 March : Start 08:30 \u2013 Finish 15:55 (Helsinki);
\n– Organisation :\u00a0HMK\u00a0<\/strong>;
\n– Websites: www.endurogp.org & www.paijanne-enduro.fi ;
\n– Route: 16 special tests on Saturday \u2013 12 special tests on Sunday;
\n– Free Entry;
\n– Nearest Airport: Helsinki-Vantaa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finally! Nearly five months after a historic season finale at the popular “Rund Um Zschopau\u201d in Germany,\u00a0EnduroGP\u00a0is back! And with an equally well-known event; \u2018P\u00e4itsi\u2019 (P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne Enduro)! The stars of the discipline will tackle this tough race for the second time in as many years, and this legendary race in northern Europe will be ready…<\/p>\n

Lees meer “GP of Finland Preview: The Infamous P\u00e4ij\u00e4nne!”<\/span> »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ekwk","category-evenementen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40278\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/enduro.nl\/wordpress-enduronlnewsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}