On his third attempt, American Tristan Lane won the overall in Tampere Supercross in Finland by taking victory in the international main class on Saturday, just as he did on Friday. Saturday’s final was decided just metres before the finish line. Simo Koskinen was the strongest rider in the class reserved for Finnish only competitors.
The 12th edition of the international Tampere Supercross, held at Tampere Sports & Expo in Finland (Europe), ended with American Tristan Lane celebrating victory. Saturday’s Novatron SX1 class final was decided in almost unbelievable fashion, just a few metres before the finish line, as Lane edged out Finn Harri Kullas, who had been aiming for his ninth overall victory in Tampere. Kullas led Saturday’s final in front of a sold-out crowd from the start all the way to the final lap, but Lane managed to find a way past him. The difference between the two at the finish line jump was just 0.077 seconds.
Lane also won on Friday, securing the Tampere Dominator title for the combined results of the two days.
– What a crazy race! I have nothing but respect for Kullas. He is a legend, and I have followed him for a long time. We had some really great racing. This is how exciting it can get at its best. You simply couldn’t know which one of us would win. Kullas didn’t do anything wrong, I just managed to make my move at the end. Besides the victory, I’m also so happy about the atmosphere here. The fans were really cheering, and you could hear them while riding, Lane said thanking the approximately 4,500 spectators.
– Winning here is a dream come true. I’m speechless. Passing Kullas wasn’t easy. I was lucky because he was defending his position during the final laps, while I was able to focus on my own riding. It feels absolutely amazing.
Kullas, who had only recently returned to racing after his autumn injury, was not at his best and struggled particularly with numbness in his right hand while riding. He was disappointed to lose the victory in the closing moments. Second place secured Kullas the runner-up position in the combined results of the two days.
– I should simply have spent more time on the bike before this race. My hand was stiff, and I just didn’t have the energy to ride. The final laps were pretty much just ‘blocking’ (preventing overtaking). That’s how it went, Kullas described.
Spain’s Joan Cros improved on his fourth place from Friday to finish third, the same position he achieved in the combined results.
– I’m happy with today’s result. It hasn’t been easy. It’s nice to be back on the podium here after several years. The event was fun once again, Cros said.
Friday’s runner-up Finn Jere Haavisto thrilled the home crowd during the opening laps of Saturday’s final, following closely behind Kullas in second place. However, Haavisto was unable to repeat his strong performance and finished seventh in the final and fourth in the combined results.
Last year’s Tampere Dominator, Adrien Malaval, retired from Friday’s final following a series of crashes and failed to find his form on Saturday either. The Frenchman, who had been among the fastest riders in all other sessions during the two-day event, was last after the start of the final and eventually finished fourth. American Scott Meshey took fifth place.
Koskinen delivered when it mattered most
The Saturday victory in the Konelinkki SX2 class, reserved exclusively for Finnish riders, went to Simo Koskinen who was third on Friday. Koskinen, who finished among the top three in every race on both days, delivered when it mattered most. Friday’s winner Kasimir Hindersson was leading Saturday’s final before crashing in the opening laps. Koskinen moved into the lead and rode to a convincing victory.
– I was left with unfinished business on Friday, so I wanted to carry that energy into Saturday. I was the fastest in practice and qualifying, but made a few small mistakes in the heats. I saved everything for the final and intended to go all out. I didn’t get the best start, although I somehow managed to make it into second place. I was following Hindersson, but then he crashed. Once I got into the lead, it was fun, and I felt relieved. It was great to win, and there is no other event like this in Finnish motocross, Koskinen said happily.
Juuso Matikainen finished second on Saturday, just as he had on Friday.
– Second place is frustrating because the leading group was so tight. Well, this time I couldn’t keep up with Simo, but I managed to beat him in some races over the two days. It was really enjoyable to race, especially in front of this kind of crowd, the biggest motocross audience in Finland, Matikainen explained.
Third place went to Jonni Hujala, who had finished seventh on Friday.
– My riding went well. Hindersson’s crash was lucky for me, but I also rode well myself, Hujala commented.
Aleksi Vesanto finished fourth, followed by Santeri Oinonen in fifth. Hindersson climbed from last place to tenth.
Malaval, Kullas and Partti win the additional races
As usual, Tampere Supercross featured a variety of additional activities and races.
Adrien Malaval was the fastest rider in the Veho Hyötyajoneuvot Superpole qualifying competition for the SX1 class, recording a 25-second lap three tenths of a second faster than Tristan Lane. Harri Kullas was the third fastest.
Kullas improved his performance from Friday by winning the SX1 class Elimination Race. In the final, he defeated his American opponent, Max Miller.
Henri Partti claimed victory in the Talaria Komodo Challenge for electric bikes, overtaking Onni Kämäri on the final lap and relegating him to second place. Eero Remes finished third, Rossi Halen fourth and Sami Oinonen fifth.
Offroad Expo exhibition were also held for visitors alongside Tampere Supercross.
Results
Tampere Supercross, Tampere Sports & Expo, Tampere, Finland (Europe), Saturday 7.11.2026
Tampere Dominator:
1. Tristan Lane, USA, Yamaha, 50 points
2. Harri Kullas, FIN, KTM, 42p.
3. Joan Cros, ESP, Fantic, 38p.
4. Jere Haavisto, FIN, KTM, 36p.
5. Scott Meshey, USA, Husqvarna, 31p.
Novatron SX1:
1. Tristan Lane, USA, Yamaha, 6:02.371
2. Harri Kullas, FIN, KTM, +0.077
3. Joan Cros, ESP, Fantic, +8.714
4. Adrien Malaval, FRA, Yamaha, +11.360
5. Scott Meshey, USA, Husqvarna, +15.140
Konelinkki SX2:
1. Simo Koskinen, HMK, Kawasaki, 4:22.490
2. Juuso Matikainen, OriMK, KTM, +3.824
3. Jonni Hujala, KTM, OriMK, +4.942
4. Aleksi Vesanto, TamMC, Beta, +5.965
5. Santeri Oinonen, VMK, GasGas, +11.586
All results:
speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/3771972
www.teamlaine.fi/supercross
