Lahti and Johnson Claim ESR Victories on Saturday at Imatranajo – King of Imatra Finale on Sunday
After showing impressive pace already on Friday at Imatranajo, Eemeli Lahti continued his dominant form on the first official race day on Saturday by winning both the ESR Superbike and Open Superbike races. Britain’s Gary Johnson claimed victory in the ESR Supersport class.
The 60th Imatranajo, the largest street circuit motorcycle race in the Nordic countries, hosts the fourth round of this year’s European Series Road Racing (ESR) Championship. In Saturday’s ESR Superbike race on the streets of downtown Imatra, the podium was completed by Finland’s Niko Lehtiranta in second place and Switzerland’s Lukas Maurer in third.
“It feels amazing. There’s nothing better than racing in front of the people who matter most to you and being able to deliver a good result. They see me struggle in everyday life, so it’s great that they also get to see me succeed here,” Lahti said with a smile while celebrating on the podium in front of his fans.
The ESR Supersport race was won by experienced British rider Gary Johnson. Finland’s Juho Kantola finished second ahead of compatriot Rasmus Nurmi in third. Home rider Niko Tanskanen of Imatran Moottorikerho was running with the leading group in the early stages before retiring with a technical problem.
In the other classes, watched by thousands of spectators once again, victories went to Lahti in Open Superbike, Johnson in Open Supersport, Sam and Tom Christie in the Sidecar class after defeating Pekka Päivärinta and Adam Christie, Anssi Koski in Classic/Retro Superbike and Topi Mustonen in the ICGP class.
Lahti and Kantola Enjoy the Challenge of the Street Circuit
Fastest qualifier Eemeli Lahti made a poor start in the ESR Superbike race and dropped to fourth place, while Niko Lehtiranta, riding the motorcycle of recent Imatranajo star Erno Kostamo, who is sidelined after injuries sustained at the Isle of Man TT, took the lead from second on the grid. Lahti quickly closed the gap on the opening lap, with Kenny Koskinen and Switzerland’s Lukas Maurer also breaking away from the rest of the field. ESR founder Laurent Hoffmann of Belgium ran fifth in the early stages before Lahti found a way past Lehtiranta on lap two.
Lahti then controlled the race to take an impressive victory. Lehtiranta secured second place, Maurer finished third, Koskinen fourth and Ville Valtonen fifth. Hoffmann eventually dropped to seventh.
“My poor start certainly wasn’t intentional. After that I watched Niko’s lines to see where he was strongest. Quite soon an opportunity came when he made a small mistake on the exit of a corner, while I got a better drive. That allowed me to make the pass at the next braking zone,” Lahti explained.
Gary Johnson had to fight hard for victory in the ESR Supersport race against Juho Kantola and Niko Tanskanen. Kantola, who had finished fourth earlier in the Open Supersport race, stepped up his performance in the ESR class by taking second place.
“My goal after the first race of the day was to get into the leading group and stay there. It turned into a really good race. I was right behind Johnson and got to race against a true legend, which felt fantastic. I always look forward to coming to Imatra every year. This circuit is unique. The surface isn’t perfectly smooth everywhere, so the bike is constantly moving underneath you and you really have to fight to keep it under control,” Kantola said.
World Champions Edge Out Päivärinta
Pekka Päivärinta and his British passenger Adam Christie were in outstanding form during Sidecar qualifying, but a poor start in the race allowed Britain’s Sam and Tom Christie, who started from second on the grid, to take the lead. Päivärinta spent the race searching for an overtaking opportunity against the reigning FIM Sidecar World Champions, but no opening came. At the chequered flag, the Christie brothers crossed the line just 0.087 seconds ahead of Päivärinta and Christie.
“It was a battle worthy of the World Championship. That’s exactly how we race there as well, nose to tail. One small mistake can cost you a position. Our start wasn’t ideal and we lost one place, but after that we put together a great race. They didn’t make a single mistake, and that’s why they won. I have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. It was fantastic to race hard from start to finish,” Päivärinta said.
Sam and Tom Christie were delighted with their victory.
“When we looked out of our hotel window this morning and saw the heavy rain, we never imagined we’d be racing on slick tyres. Once we got into the lead at the start, we knew there was no room for mistakes. Thankfully we managed to stay in front because Pekka was right behind us all the way. It was a proper race and I really enjoyed it,” Tom Christie commented.
Third place in the Sidecar race went to Estonia’s Jaanus Saarmaa and Sander Telve.
Johnson Praises Finland’s Young Talent
Open Supersport opened the afternoon’s racing and produced one of the closest and most exciting battles of the day. British road racing legend Gary Johnson narrowly defeated Finland’s Rasmus Nurmi by less than five hundredths of a second. Niko Tanskanen finished third despite suffering brake problems, just one tenth of a second behind Nurmi. Juho Kantola crossed the line fourth, only a few tenths behind Johnson after running in the same lead group throughout the race.
“These young Finnish riders were incredibly fast today, and it was both safe and enjoyable racing with them on such a high-speed street circuit. They have fast bikes, they ride professionally and they’re a lot younger than I am,” Johnson said, giving credit to his podium companions Nurmi and Tanskanen.
The second race of the afternoon featured the Classic/Retro Superbike class, where Anssi Koski took victory ahead of Ari-Petteri Kuivalainen and Sami Siimestö.
Open Superbike served as a preview of the evening’s headline race, with Eemeli Lahti once again proving untouchable. Niko Lehtiranta finished second and Kenny Koskinen completed the podium in third.
“It felt really good. Right from the opening lap my braking markers were spot on. I wanted to push hard for a couple of laps, create a gap and then settle into my own rhythm for the rest of the race. Once I managed that, I knew the result would come. As the circuit dried, riding became easier and easier,” Lahti said.
Topi Mustonen dominated the ICGP class for classic Grand Prix motorcycles to claim victory ahead of Ilari Nieminen and Reino Ijäs.
“It’s always nice to win. It feels great,” Mustonen smiled.
The 60th Imatranajo continues on Sunday with another full day of racing in all classes, culminating in the prestigious King of Imatra race, featuring the weekend’s fastest riders, followed by the prize-giving ceremony.
Results
60th Imatranajo – Imatra, Saturday, 4 July 2026
ESR Superbike
- Eemeli Lahti (FIN) – 18:31.237
- Niko Lehtiranta (FIN) – +10.230
- Lukas Maurer (SUI) – +19.246
ESR Supersport
- Gary Johnson (GBR) – 15:43.030
- Juho Kantola (FIN) – +4.303
- Rasmus Nurmi (FIN) – +17.407
Open Superbike
- Eemeli Lahti (FIN) – 14:51.993
- Niko Lehtiranta (FIN) – +7.852
- Kenny Koskinen (FIN) – +16.452
Open Supersport
- Gary Johnson (GBR) – 15:59.585
- Rasmus Nurmi (FIN) – +0.048
- Niko Tanskanen (FIN) – +0.155
Sidecars
- Sam Christie (GBR) / Tom Christie (GBR) – 12:40.170
- Pekka Päivärinta (FIN) / Adam Christie (GBR) – +0.087
- Jaanus Saarmaa (EST) / Sander Telve (EST) – +23.115
Classic / Retro Superbike
- Anssi Koski – 12:25.426
- Ari-Petteri Kuivalainen – +5.156
- Sami Siimestö – +38.271
ICGP (250cc & 350cc Two-Stroke)
- Topi Mustonen – 17:37.619
- Ilari Nieminen – +23.859
- Reino Ijäs – +47.673
Full results:
https://speedhive.mylaps.com/livetiming/A1C26E0E6307C0E9-2147484145
60th Imatranajo
3–5 July 2026
Jarno Saarinen Circuit Imatra – Street Circuit
Official website: www.imatranajo.fi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imatranajo
Instagram: www.instagram.com/imatranajo
Tickets:
www.lippu.fi/artist/imatranajo
Official Event Programme:
Vauhdin Maailma magazine 6/2026
Organiser:
Imatran Moottorikerho ry.
www.imk.fi
European Series Road Racing (ESR):
esroadracing.com
Image: Harjukuvat