This year’s motocross Estonian Championship MX Masters series season consists of five rounds, with two new tracks added to the series.
This very weekend, on May 1–2, the opening round will be held at the Rosma motocross track in Põlva. The season concludes on September 19–20 in Maardu, meaning that after a long time, a competition will once again take place near Tallinn.
Between those, three rounds remain:
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June 20–21 in Tihemetsa
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August 16 and 20 in Pärnu
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September 5–6 in Lange, just outside Tartu
“Bringing more high-level competitions to Estonia – that is the reason we are continuing the five-round series started last year,” explained EMF Vice-President Kert Pääbo.
In the MX Open class, defending Estonian champion Jörgen-Matthias Talviku said: “There will be plenty of racing! A great platform has been created for the series to get faster.”
“What interests me personally is how the new tracks and organisation will be – track construction, overtaking opportunities, track speed, things we’ve been discussing in recent years. I actually raced in Põlva quite a long time ago, around 2019. I haven’t been there since – so it’s all the more exciting!” said Talviku.
“The tracks that have been brought in are not among the easiest – by the end of the day they’ll get rough, and then the strongest will win,” said Gert Krestinov, who finished second in the MX Open class last year.
The MX Masters series entry list is international and strong this year. Champions from four countries in classes MX1, MX2, and 125cc from the previous season have confirmed their participation. Motocross is a tough discipline and injuries are unfortunately part of it – the Finnish and Latvian MX1 champions will have to skip the opening round.
Despite this, there is plenty of competition, especially in the MX2 class, where several talented young riders from Finland are expected, including Arttu Sahlsten, Onni Jaakonsaari, and Viktor Leppälä – the latter having previously taken a bronze at a 65cc World Cup round in the same year Lucas Leok was crowned winner. From Estonia, the favourite coming into Põlva is Sebastian Leok, who has had great riders in EMX250 this year. Also Richard Paat and Joosep Pärn are expected to perform well.
In the MX1 class, added excitement comes from last year’s MX2 champion Markuss Kokins (Latvia) making his debut in the MX Open class. He has already shown strong pace this season, winning a Latvian championship round in the same class last weekend.
The Baltic top riders are also well represented. Last year’s Lithuanian champions Uldis Freibergs (MX1) and Karlis Kalejs (MX2) have confirmed participation in the full series. Lithuania’s two currently fastest riders, Erlandas Mackonis and Marius Adomaitis, will also take to the track, promising fierce competition at every round.
Three rounds of the series will feature superfinals, held in Põlva, Pärnu, and Maardu. In a combined MX2 and MX Open class race, the 40 fastest riders will be on track. The superfinal is a treat for both the athletes, who get the chance to prove themselves, and the spectators, who are kept on the edge of their seats. “Physical fitness also comes into play — whoever can endure more will most likely finish higher,” said Kaarel Tilk, who finished third in the MX Open class last year.
The three aforementioned rounds will also feature live streams on three different platforms: the EMF YouTube channel, the Latvian platform 24Sport with Latvian-language commentary, and the FIM-Moto platform. A highlight show from each round will also be broadcast on TV6.
“Estonian motocross is in a good place. It’s exciting to be a rider and exciting to be a spectator. I’m heading into the new season with positive feelings,” said Erki Kahro, who finished sixth in the MX Open class last year.
The series prize fund is over €27,500, distributed across the following classes: MX Open, MX2, MX125, Quad, and sidecars.
A new major sponsor, Unibet, has joined the series this year, with Thor as the holeshot partner.
The opening ceremony in Põlva takes place on Friday, May 1 at 10:15. First start: 10:55. Second starts: 13:55.
