Race report: Trek Enduro Series in Finland, Rd #4 Ounasvaara Bike Park
The fourth Leg of the Trek Enduro Race was held in Ounasvaara Bike Park / Rovaniemi over the last weekend.
Ari Kurvinen roosting the first tight corner of Special Stage 1 4
The race was the penultimate this season, with the final round being held in Tahko. Weather was as good as it can get up here in the Arctic Circle, +20*C and sunny! The tracks were in good condition and a good amount of people had showed up to the race. The race consisted 6 different special stages which all would be ridden twice. Before the race it was speculated that local Ari Kurvinen currently sitting in second spot on overall scores of the season would be the guy to beat in this race. As it turned out Ari clocked the best time on almost all the stages only beaten by Matti Lehikoinen on Special Stage 4 by 2 seconds. On the finish line Ari Kurvinen had managed to put 32 seconds between him and the second-place finisher Matti Lehikoinen. Third one to finish was Sauli Hjerppe who lost to Ari Kurvinen by 1 minute and 33 seconds.
Sauli Hjerppe on the first corners of Special Stage 1 4
Mikko Kupiainen on the Special Stage 1 4
Henri Pellinen on the Special Stage 1 4
Matti Lehikoinen on Special Stage 3 6
Karri Koskitanner on Special Stage 3 6
Juho Pusa on Special Stage 2 5
Tomi Aula on Specia Stage 2 5
There were some bad looking crashes during the race but thankfully no one got really hurt. This guy got back up and continued riding.
Juho Siipo on the start of Special Stage 7 10
Riku Salo focusing to stage 7 10
Toni Ruokoja on Special Stage 7 10
Matti Lehikoinen on Special Stage 9 12
Kai Kantanen on Special Stage 9 12
Timo Föhr on the rocky section of Special Stage 9 12
1. Kurvinen Ari 2. Lehikoinen Matti 3. Hjerppe Sauli 4. Pusa Juho 5. Kupiainen Mikko
Champagne-shower
- Top Five
- 1. Ari Kurvinen OPP 24:04.83
- 2. Matti Lehikoinen TVC 24:37.11 +00:32.28
- 3. Sauli Hjerppe Fillariosaracing.com/MTBCF 25:38.49 +01:33.66
- 4. Juho Pusa OPP 25:39.77 +01:34.94
- 5. Mikko Kupiainen MTBCF 25:47.59 +01:42.76
Going into to the final race of the Season the over all scores are:
Lehikoinen 100 (1.) 100 (1.) 100 (1.) 80 (2.) 380
Kurvinen 80 (2.) — 80 (2.) 100 (1.) 260
Hjerppe 64 (3.) 80 (2.) — 64 (3.) 208
Words & Photos: Jaakko Posti Photography |www.jaakkoposti.com
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About the Author
Manne Schmitt
Manne Schmitt is a Procurator at 41 Publishing, contributing a wealth of methodological expertise from his career as a Chief Analyst for a state authority. This background ensures the journalistic depth of his research, and the acquisition of exclusive news for E-MOUNTAINBIKE, ENDURO, GRAN FONDO, and DOWNTOWN. Active in cycling since 1989, he combines operative test support with administrative responsibility, strengthening the quality of editorial processes. The world of racing remains a passion; no one on the team knows the EDR professionals better than Manne.
