Continuing the Cross-Country theme from round six, the World Enduro Super Series now heads to its most northerly stop for Sweden’s most prestigious race, where up to 3000 riders are expected to compete.

The Gotland Grand National is the world’s largest single day Enduro race.

Now entering its 35th edition, the small island of Gotland, situated in the Baltic Sea off Sweden’s east coast, will become a hub of Enduro activity and action during the final weekend of October.

A ‘must-do’ race on the Swedish Enduro calendar, the Gotland Grand National has all the traits of a hallmark race, with literally thousands of competitors flocking to the island each year. Earning its title as the world’s largest single day Enduro, a record-breaking 3,172 riders competed in 2016.

Pela Renet has won the GGN four consecutive times from 2011-2014. Swede Mats Nilsson is the event’s most successful rider with eight victories.

Situated on the Tolka military range, just south of Gotland’s capital Visby, the 22-kilometre long Cross-Country course weaves its way through a maze of Scandinavian forestry.

From typically Swedish rocky trails to technical, tree root covered forestry tracks, and with plenty of marshy wetlands in-between, the venue ensures a testing three-hour race for all competitors.

First held back in 1984, it was Per Grönberg who first etched his name onto the winners list. Swedish legend Mats Nilsson entered the Gotland Grand National’s winners list back in 1997 and has since gone on to become the event’s most successful rider with eight victories. And by claiming a podium result in 2017, he is one rider who’s never to be counted out.

The World Enduro Super Series takes place at Sweden’s Gotland Grand National on October 26/27.

Two-time Enduro World Champion Pela Renet is another rider who ranks highly in Gotland history with four consecutive victories going the Frenchman’s way from 2011 until 2014, while Australian Josh Strang claimed victory there in 2015.

With the fight to become the first ever WESS Champion nearing its climax, championship contenders Billy Bolt (Husqvarna – GB), Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM – GER) and Josep Garcia (KTM – ESP) will all be aiming to put their name at the top of this year’s results. (source: world enduro super series)

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LINK: Gotland Grand National
LINK: World Enduro Super Series

photos (c) Nordic Sport&Event & Future7Media