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Päijänne, The Opener!

After their success at the start of this season, ABC Communication and the HMK have decided to repeat this year's season opener for 2018. The legendary Lake Päijänne will therefore be back on the Maxxis FIM EnduroGP World Championship calendar!

After a promising debut year which was hailed a success by the riders, the public, and the media, it was not long before EnduroGP promoter Alain BLANCHARD and Mauri PENTTINEN, president of the HMK, decided to renew their agreement for 2018...

The 83rd running of the Päijänne enduro will once again be based at the Vierumaki Sports Center, where the riders will return on Saturday evening before heading to Helsinki on Sunday. The HMK is already hard at work before the winter to find a new itinerary and new specials.
At a Press Conference held in Helsinki, Finland, on Tuesday 27 September, the championship promoter said he is very pleased to continue working with the HMK.

Alain BLANCHARD: "This first year at Päitsi was a big test for everyone! Many riders and teams were unsure and did not know what to expect. But at the end of the race, thanks to the professionalism of the HMK, they had been won over and they now agree that this race deserves a place in our Championship!"

Mauri PENTTINEN: "This year, the World Championship gave us the boost we needed. We of course saw a lot more fans in the specials and the Finnish media responded, as did the international press! And then with the EnduroGP, we had riders that we probably could never have had at the race before, such as HOLCOMBE and PHILLIPS. Even the 2017 winner, Eero REMES (SF - TM), who is Finnish, had never participated in this race before! We believe of course that this association is beneficial for both parties.”

This year Finland dominated on home turf with Eero REMES winning E2 and the "Päijänne Trophy”, Antti HELLSTEN (Husqvarna) topping EnduroGP, and Eemil POHJOLA (Husqvarna) victorious in Juniors. So in 2018 the "foreigners" will be hoping to adapt to the conditions quickly in order to take the fight to the Finns. Let's see what happens on March 17th and 18th 2018 for the opening round of the Championship, it will be unmissable!