ISHOEL, FORSELL, AND OLLILA SHINE IN JOENSUU AS 2025 FIM SNX KICKS OFF IN SPECTACULAR FASHION

JOENSUU (Finland) 1 March 2025 – The 2025 FIM Snowcross World Championship officially began in Joensuu, Finland, with a heartfelt and prestigious Opening Ceremony on Saturday morning. The event, hosted in the presence of key officials and dignitaries, set the stage for what would become a thrilling season opener filled with high-speed battles, intense rivalries, and unforgettable performances.

The ceremony commenced with speeches from esteemed representatives, including Anssi Tormala, a member of the Joensuu city board, who welcomed the championship to the region, followed by Erkki Heikkinen, FMNR President of the Finnish Motorcycling Federation, and Patricia Maskarova, Infront Moto Racing SNX General Manager, who expressed gratitude to the city of Joensuu for its support. In recognition of the city’s role in hosting the event, Maskarova presented a commemorative plate to Tormala, symbolizing the strong collaboration between the championship organizers and local authorities.

On the podium, FIM delegate Peter Isgren, FIM Europe delegate Peter Goris, and local Moto Club organizer Teemu Koistinen addressed the audience, emphasizing the significance of the championship and the commitment to the sport’s growth on an international level.

A poignant minute of silence was then observed, honouring the rider who tragically passed away in Finland the previous week. The ceremony also included a moving tribute to Mikko Nissinen, a respected figure in the snowcross community, as his brother, Pekka Nissinen, led a tribute pack on a sled in his memory.

The ceremony concluded with an emotional rendition of the Finnish National Anthem, beautifully sung by Reetta Hietala, filling the venue with a sense of pride and unity before the action began on the track.

With the opening formalities complete, the focus turned to the racing, where riders from across the world were set to battle for victory in the SNX, WSNX, and ESNX categories, marking the start of an exhilarating 2025 FIM Snowcross World Championship season. With partly cloudy conditions and a brisk temperature of 3°C, the 0.6 km track provided a challenging mix of tight corners, steep jumps, and unpredictable snow conditions.

SNX

Ishoel Sets the Standard with a Dominant Performance

The SNX World Championship saw a commanding display from Norwegian rider Elias Ishoel, who took both race wins in Joensuu, setting an early benchmark in the title race. The battle for podium spots was fiercely contested, with Aki Pihlaja and Topi Rinne showing strong pace but unable to match Ishoel’s precision and endurance.

Final 1: Ishoel Takes Control Despite Pihlaja’s Strong Start

The first final of the season began with Aki Pihlaja launching off the line first, securing the holeshot and briefly leading the field. However, having battled illness in the days leading up to the race, Pihlaja struggled to maintain his pace as the race progressed.

Elias Ishoel, looking sharp and focused, capitalized on Pihlaja’s fading stamina and overtook him mid-race, creating a solid gap and maintaining a flawless rhythm until the checkered flag. Martin Johansson from Sweden put in a strong performance, securing third place while Topi Rinne and Jesse Kirchmeyer engaged in a thrilling battle for fourth.

Final 2: Another Win for Ishoel as Rinne Joins the Podium Fight

The second final once again saw Pihlaja making an early charge, but as in the first race, Ishoel’s superior consistency and racecraft proved unbeatable. Despite Pihlaja’s best efforts, Ishoel overtook him and controlled the pace from the front. This time, Topi Rinne stepped up his performance, challenging for second place and ultimately securing a well-earned third. Meanwhile, American rider Jesse Kirchmeyer impressed with his fourth-place finish.

SNX Overall Championship Standings after Round 1:

Elias Ishoel (NOR) – 50 points

Aki Pihlaja (FIN) – 44 points

Topi Rinne (FIN) – 38 points

With two dominant race wins, Ishoel now leads the standings with Pihlaja and Rinne eager to close the gap, the championship fight is set to intensify in the next rounds.

WSNX

Forsell’s Flawless Double Victory

In the Final 1, Saga Forsell, took the holeshot and never looked back, immediately establishing a comfortable lead over the field. With Wilma Jonsson and Elise Jonsson in pursuit, Forsell kept her pace sharp and unrelenting, setting the fastest lap time of the race at 53.290 seconds. By the time she crossed the finish line, she held a 14.750-second advantage over Wilma Jonsson, an incredible margin in a 12-lap race. Behind her, the battle for the remaining podium positions was far more competitive, as Wilma Jonsson fought off challenges from her sister Elise Jonsson, securing second place. Elise held strong in third, but the gap to Forsell made it clear that the championship leader was in a league of her own.

The second final saw a similar script, with Forsell once again dominating from start to finish. Despite a determined effort from Wilma Jonsson, Forsell gradually extended her lead, once again showcasing smooth, mistake-free riding that allowed her to control the race at her own pace. This time, Emma Laamanen emerged as a new challenger, putting in an impressive ride to secure third place. Jonsson, despite pushing to keep up, had to settle for second place once again, finishing 9.563 seconds behind Forsell. The Finnish rider’s back-to-back victories firmly established her as the early championship favourite, with a perfect 50 points from the opening round.

WSNX Overall Championship Standings after Round 1:

Saga Forsell (FIN) – 50 points

Wilma Jonsson (SWE) – 44 points

Elise Jonsson (SWE) – 38 points

Forsell’s dominance sets her up as the clear title contender, but with Jonsson and Laamanen showing improvement, the battle for the championship remains open as the series moves to Turkiye.

ESNX

Vanhatalo and Ollila Lead the Charge

The European Championship witnessed a highly competitive opening round, with different winners in each final, keeping the title race wide open.

Final 1 saw Atte Vanhatalo claim victory, demonstrating impressive pace and consistency. Sweden’s Linus Dahlberg followed closely in second, while Ville Lehtisalo secured third, keeping the fight for the championship tight.

However, in Final 2, it was Niklas Ollila who emerged victorious, overtaking Lehtisalo and Gustav Vesterlund in a gripping battle for the top positions.

With just three points separating the top three in the championship, the ESNX title fight is shaping up to be one of the closest battles this season.

ESNX Overall Championship Standings after Round 1:

Niklas Ollila (FIN) – 43 points

Ville Lehtisalo (FIN) – 42 points

Atte Vanhatalo (FIN) – 40 points

With such a tight battle at the top, the upcoming rounds will be crucial in determining who can build momentum toward the 2025 ESNX title.

With the first round in the books, all eyes now turn to the round 2 in Turkiye, where riders will have a short break before getting back to it in Kayseri-Erciyes! The 2025 FIM Snowcross World Championship is just getting started and we can expect more thrilling action, intense battles, and championship-defining moments in the next round!

Find All the results in the Sportity App: Add event password SNX2025

SNX RESULTS

WSNX RESULTS

ESNX RESULTS

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

LINKS
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