Finn-Estonian Harri Kullas won the first day of international supercross race in Tampere, Finland on Friday. Kullas dominated the whole day even though his start in the final didn't go as planned.

Harri Kullas took the victory in SX1 class at the Tampere Supercross held for the tenth time at the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Center in Finland on Friday. Finland's Jere Haavisto came in second and Spain's Jorge Zaragoza third. Nico Stenberg won the SX2 class which was for Finnish riders only. Aaro Menna and Simo Koskinen followed in second and third place.

On Friday, Harri Kullas went from victory to victory before the late-night climax of the SX1 class in various races and intermediate starts. In the final, Kullas was already making a successful start, but his bike went into free gear in the opening corner, which is why Kullas was in seventh place. He rose quite quickly to third, while Jere Haavisto was fighting for the top spot with Jorge Zaragoza. Soon there was a situation where Haavisto was leading and Kullas was riding second for the joy of mostly Finnish spectators. Haavisto rode in the lead until the middle of the final before Kullas made his move, took the first place and started to run away, eventually taking a clear victory in the 20-lap final.

It was fun again, as always in Tampere. I was able to enjoy the whole day, even though the final was a bit more exciting. The audience was really well involved in the atmosphere, and hey, Saturday is the main day. Then there will definitely be even more noise in the arena, Kullas believed.

In the final I entered the first corner with Zaragoza on outside of me. I leaned inside a little too much and my gear pedal hit something, putting the gear into neutral. After that my riding was good. I looked at the lines first and got past some riders. I was chasing Haavisto for a while and he was better than me at the finish line double. I took it more easy. However, I knew that the race was long. I guess he made a mistake and I caught him. I also knew where I was going to try the pass and so I did.

The US Josh Hill was considered a tough name in advance and he otherwise had a good day, but in the most important one, in the final, he finished eighth. Hill's list of merits includes, among other things, a race victory in the AMA supercross series.

I think I ruined Hill's and a few others' final when I went on neutral in the first corner. He was behind me and couldn't pass. Hill has been a great rider and that's why it feels good to have lapped him. Haavisto almost lost his good result when he fell behind Kullas in the turn after one rhythm section. However, Haavisto corrected his mistake.

I didn't get a relaxed ride in the final. Fortunately, I managed to be second, even though I had a stupid crash. I quickly picked up my bike and kept going, and I was able to fight for the second place. I hope the audience had a fun evening and enjoyed the racing. Fortunately, I challenged Kullas at the beginning.

He was stronger from the middle of the final onwards, but I was still able to offer the audience value for money. It didn't happen that Kullas takes the start and immediately runs away from the rest of us, Haavisto reminded. US Cade Clason was fourth and Tristan Lane fifth. In Tampere, attention was also drawn to the fact that Zaragoza and Hill competed with electric bikes.

Nico Stenberg led the SX2 class of Finnish riders from start to finish, taking the victory in the 12-lap race with a three seconds cap to Aaro Menna, who in turn had a tight battle with Simo Koskinen for second place defeating Koskinen by one second.

The race day was overall good, although the beginning was a bit tense. Then I got to ride my own ride. The starts were important and I succeeded in the final. I felt good, even though I don't have a lot of practise after my last injury. There was no pressure to ride in the lead. I couldn't bear to think about it, I just focused on my own riding. I kept the inside lines on the track and I was able to ride in peace, Stenberg described.

Fourth in the SX2 class was Eelis Viemerö and fifth last year's winner Miro Varjonen, who had a bad start on Friday. Tampere Supercross and Offroad Expo continues on Saturday. Tampere Supercross, Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre, Tampere, Finland, Friday 8th November 2024.

SX1
1. Harri Kullas, FIN, Husqvarna, 10:28.363
2. Jere Haavisto, FIN, KTM, +16.238
3. Jorge Zaragoza, ESP, Stark, +20.678
4. Cade Clason, USA, Kawasaki, +23.771
5. Tristan Lane, USA, KTM, +30.581
SX2
1. Nico Stenberg, SiMK, KTM, 6:27.401
2. Aaro Menna, TMK, Honda, +2.780
3. Simo Koskinen, HMK, Kawasaki, +3.810
4. Eelis Viemerö, VMK, Triumph, +8.953
5. Miro Varjonen, TMK, Husqvarna, +10.371

Full results here: Tampere Supercross 2024

Story and picture Tampere Supercross