JOENSUU (Finland) 29 February 2025 – As the snow settled over Joensuu, Finland, riders from across the globe gathered to battle for the top spots of the FIM Snowcross World Championship. With the stakes high and conditions unpredictable, the qualifying rounds set the tone for what promises to be an electrifying competition.
From the early practice sessions, where riders got their first feel of the track, to the high-intensity qualifying heats under artificial lights, every lap counted. The competitors faced not only each other but also the challenging terrain, testing their skills. With some favourites shining and others struggling with mechanical setbacks, the qualifiers delivered intense racing, dramatic comebacks, and last-chance redemption stories.
As the engines roared into the night, top contenders like Aki Pihlaja, Elias Ishoel, and Mille Andersson asserted their dominance, while Jesse Kirchmeyer fought through adversity to claim his spot after some suspensions issues. Meanwhile, in the WSNX, the action was equally gripping, with Saga Forsell overcoming race restarts and first-corner chaos to emerge victorious.
Now, with the final lineup set, and the first points distributed from the Qualifying hets, all eyes turn to the main event, where the best of the best will compete for championship glory.
SNX
Before the qualifying heats, riders had the opportunity to test the track during the free practice session. Topi Rinne set the fastest time with a 44.258-second lap, narrowly ahead of Jesse Kirchmeyer, who clocked in at 44.742 seconds. Aki Pihlaja, another strong contender, secured third place with a 44.921-second lap.
This session provided a glimpse of what was to come, with key names already showing competitive pace. Notably, Jesse Kirchmeyer looked strong from the beginning, despite later issues in the heats that forced him into the last-chance race. Meanwhile, Elias Ishoel, a strong performer in the heats, placed sixth in free practice with a 45.562-second lap before making a strong comeback later in the day.
The qualifying heats in Joensuu were relatively straightforward, with riders competing under artificial lighting as darkness had already set in. The illuminated track added a unique atmosphere to the races, creating an exciting setting for the competitors and spectators alike.
Group 1 – Heat 1
Mille Andersson took victory in Heat 1, putting in a solid performance and finishing with a total time of 6:23.986 over 8 laps. Elias Ishoel followed closely behind, securing second place, while Robert Lunden rounded off the top three. The best lap of the race was recorded by Ishoel with a 45.171-second lap, demonstrating his speed and control despite finishing second.
Group 1 – Heat 2
The second heat saw Elias Ishoel reclaim the top step, setting an impressive performance. Miika Lammi secured second place, and Robert Lunden repeated his third-place finish. Once again, Ishoel set the best lap of the race with a 46.162-second lap.
Group 2 – Heat 1 & 2
In Group 2, Aki Pihlaja dominated both heats, winning Heat 1 in 6:25.438 and Heat 2 in 6:29.905, making him the standout performer of the qualifying sessions. Topi Rinne finished second in both races, proving his consistency, while Martin Johansson and Roy Ylä-Onnenvuori each managed to secure a third-place finish in their respective heats.
With qualifying wrapped up, the stage was set for the last-chance race, where riders who didn’t make the cut would have one final opportunity to secure a place in the next stage
Last Chance Race: Kirchmeyer’s Redemptio
One of the standout stories of the weekend was Jesse Kirchmeyer’s journey through the last-chance race. After struggling with suspension issues during the heats, Kirchmeyer found himself in a difficult position, needing to fight his way back into the competition.
However, he delivered a masterclass performance, winning the last-chance race with a massive gap over the second-place finisher. His dominant display showed that his earlier mechanical issues were the only thing holding him back. With his snowmobile performing properly, Kirchmeyer left no doubt that he belonged among the top competitors.
The SNX qualifying races provided a mix of solid, competitive racing.The artificially lit track added a special dynamic, making the late-evening sessions even more intense. Riders like Aki Pihlaja and Elias Ishoel demonstrated remarkable consistency, while Jesse Kirchmeyer’s last-chance comeback was one of the day’s most compelling storylines.
As the competition moves forward, all eyes will be on these top competitors to see if they can carry their momentum into the next rounds. With the unpredictability of Snowcross, anything can still happen in the upcoming races.
SNX Group 1
SNX Group 2
SNX Qualifying Points
WSNX
The WSNX Qualifying Heats in Joensuu were packed with action and drama. The race saw multiple restarts due to jump starts, and once the race got underway properly, chaos unfolded in the very first corner.
WSNX Qualifying saw a double false start, forcing officials to restart the race twice. Two of the leading contenders, Saga Forsell and Emma Laamanen, were involved in the incident along with other riders. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and after some brief drama, all riders were able to continue the race.
Forsell put in a commanding performance, setting the fastest lap of the race at 50.350 seconds and securing a victory with an average speed of 40.436 km/h but only less a than a second on a first pursuant Elise Jonsson
Once again, Forsell emerged victorious in Qualifying Heat 2, narrowly winning with a margin of 0.998 seconds. The fastest lap in this heat was set by Jonsson at 52.763 seconds.
Despite the setback, Saga Forsell managed to recover and take control of the race, securing an impressive victory.
Saga Forsell dominated both qualifying heats, demonstrating superior pace and consistency on the track. Despite the initial confusion with jump starts and the first-corner crash in Heat 1, she maintained her composure to win both races. Elise Jonsson and Emma Laamanen also showed strong performances, securing podium finishes in both heats.
The Women’s Snowcross competition continues to be fiercely competitive, with riders battling through tough conditions and dramatic race restarts. With the main event approaching, all eyes will be on Forsell to see if she can maintain her momentum and take the championship title.
ESNX
The ESNX qualifying weekend kicked off with a free practice session, where riders had their first chance to test the track. Gustav Vesterlund set the fastest lap at 42.645 seconds, closely followed by Atte Vanhatalo and Ville Lehtisalo. The tight gaps in lap times indicated a highly competitive field, setting the stage for intense racing in the qualifying heat
With multiple groups competing for a place in the finals, the ESNX qualifying heats were packed with action. The races took place under varying track conditions, with riders battling for top positions in their respective groups
Group 1 – Heat 1
Thor David Rasmus took the victory in the opening heat, finishing with a 6:25.363 total time over 8 laps. Emil Pettersson and Hugo Rinne completed the top 3 positions. Rasmus also set the fastest lap of the race at 45.020 seconds, proving his dominance【80†source】.
Group 1 – Heat 2
Emil Pettersson struck back in Heat 2, claiming victory with a total time of 6:34.669, ahead of Niklas Ollila and Linus Pettersson. Despite finishing third, Linus Pettersson set the best lap time of the race at 46.091 seconds
Group 2 – Heat 1 & 2
In Group 2, Ville Lehtisalo was the dominant force, winning both heats with times of 6:33.668 and 6:33.771, respectively. Gustav Vesterlund and Atte Vanhatalo consistently battled for podium finishes, keeping the competition fierce.
The qualifying rounds in Joensuu set the stage for an intense and competitive Snowcross Championship. With strong performances across all categories, key riders like Aki Pihlaja, Elias Ishoel, and Ville Lehtisalo established themselves as top contenders, while Jesse Kirchmeyer’s last-chance comeback added to the drama.
In the WSNX category, Saga Forsell overcame early setbacks to dominate both heats, while the ESNX qualifiers showcased the depth of talent in the European Championship. As the main event approaches, all eyes are on these riders to see who will rise to the challenge and claim victory.
Follow All the results with Sportity:
Add event password SNX2025
TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC +2)
SATURDAY: 11:30 EU Warm-Up, 11:45 Women Warm-Up, 12:00 Men Warm-Up, 12:20 Opening Ceremony, 13:10 EU Final 1, 13:30 Women Final 1, 13:50 Men Final 1, 14:50 EU Final 2, 15:10 Women Final 2, 15:30 Men Final 2
For further information about the 2025 FIM Snowcross World Championship, stay tuned to both WorldSnowcross.com and MXGP’s social media channels including the official SNX Instagram page at @snowcross_official
Related Posts
ISHOEL, FORSELL, AND OLLILA SHINE IN JOENSUU AS 2025 FIM SNX KICKS OFF IN SPECTACULAR FASHION
THE BATTLE FOR SNX GLORY BEGINS AS JOENSUU HOSTS THRILLING 2025 SEASON OPENER IN FINLAND
