2026 SML Finnish SBK Finale, Motopark Raceway: Roads Competitor Watch

Clashing with the Manx Grand Prix Sportbike, Supersport races, opening Classic TT contests (22^nd-23^rd August), the finale of SML Finnish Superbike Championship was hosted by Motopark Raceway, Virtasalmi (first opened in 1987, 3.516 metres – 2.185 miles long circuit).

Prominent roads scene names, Imatranajo specialists racing included Superbike race participants Ville ‘Valdo’ Valtonen (P1 x2), Peter Paloranta (P3 x2), RVS Motorsport team-mates for the weekend, M1000RR BMW mounted Niko Lehtiranta (P2 x2) and IRRC, Northwest 200, Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix experienced Italian ace Luca Gottardi (P6/P5).

Both Lehtiranta and Gottardi, were under the personal supervision of team chief, Imatranajo, Frohburger Dreieck and Horice lap-record holder Erno Kostamo, whom we continue to wish a speedy recovery following his incident in the TT 2026, Senior Race.

Nordic nations top pure road race, Imatranajo (mentioned above), will return next year for it’s 61^st edition. Organisers are expected to announce event dates soon.

SML Finnish Superbike Finale 2026, Motopark Raceway – select roads competitor themed results, not including yesteryear classes, read as follows:

(Final finishing position alongside racers names)

Superbike Group A – Race 1:

1st – Ville Valtonen
2nd – Niko Lehtiranta
3rd – Peter Paloranta
6th – Luca Gottardi
7th – Jesse Riihonen
13th – Heikki Mannila

Did not finish – Pekka Pouhakka
Did not start – Roope Ollonqvist

Superbike Group A – Race 2:

1st – Ville Valtonen
2nd – Niko Lehtiranta
3rd – Peter Paloranta
5th – Luca Gottardi
7th – Pekka Pouhakka
10th – Jesse Riihonen

Did not start – Heikki Mannila
Did not start – Roope Ollonqvist

Supersport Group A – Race 1:

1st – Niko Tanskanen
3rd – Topi Mustonen
4th – Ari-Petteri Kuivalainen

Supersport Group A – Race 2:

3rd – Niko Tanskanen
4th – Topi Mustonen
3rd – Ari-Petteri Kuivalainen

Sidecars Group A – Race 1:

1st – Tero Manninen/Jaana Soppa
2nd – Markku Artiola/Peetu Paavilainen
3rd – Marko Hurme/Ville Hurme
6th – Jaakko Heiskari/Hanne Heiskari

Sidecars Group A – Race 2:

1st – Tero Manninen/Jaana Soppa
2nd – Markku Artiola/Peetu Paavilainen
5th – Marko Hurme/Ville Hurme
6th – Jaakko Heiskari/Hanne Heiskari

Open 1000 Group A – Race 1 / Race 2: (same finishing result):

3rd – Ari-Petteri Kuivalainen

Open 600 Group A – Race 1 / Race 2: (same finishing result):

1st – Erno Kivimaki

Photo credit: Jan Vavra

Words by Jan Vavra