Norweigan talent challenge the Finns in the Pro class

19-year-old Malene Mai Solvang, riding for NMK Drammen and Vinsvoll Flat Track is another young sky aiming nordic talent. Last weekend she made her first race start of 2025 in the Duch Flat track cup ending up at the podium in, the semi pro class, Intermediate.

Last weekend it was time for the the first and second round of the Dutch flat track cup at Lelystad in Neatherlands. The Dutch flat track cup has grown over the past years and as back in the days, when Hells race was one of the biggest flat track events in Europe, the cup attracts riders from all over Europe. We do not have any official numbers but just by looking at the starting lists you get the picture of both Germany, France, UK and also Norway represented. Finn rider Saku Purtilo was racing the cup last year and this year a it was time for a bunch of Norweigan riders to made their first start of the year, in the cup at Lelystad track.

Norway brought lots of good riders, but maybe the most bright shining star seems to be Malene Mai Solvang. Just in the beginning of her career, getting faster by every lap, she has gone from total rookie via amateur last year and now entering the Pro class in both the first Swedish race of the year AD-Open in Örebro and at least round 3 of Viking Flat Track Cup, in just three years. Entering every slide school offered she took advises from world class riders like Jeffrey Carver, Lasse Kurvinen and Sammy Halbert to get where she is at. Lots of practice, a good coach, a whole lot of talent but most of all paying attention and having a good mind set makes her progress.

By entering Viking Cup 2025 she is the first non-finnish rider to enter the Pro class. Its a tough task but we do belive Malene is ready to challenge the fast guys as the first female Pro rider in our region.

Back home Malene is part of a small flat track community in Norway where riders from Vinsvoll as well as Lunner Oslo practise regulary togheter. During the winter Lunner has got a new member with dutch rider Lisa Tonnaer, who is one of the fastest ladies in Europe, moving to Norway. But she is not the only fast one in Lunner. The club also has riders like Bjørn Kjustad and Øyvind Dahl who both did challenge the Finns in Viking Cup last year, Øyvind ended up just outside the podium mostly due to what we belive a couple of engine issues. If Øyvind will try to get a revensh this year we do not know at the moment but Norway steps up and defend their colors through Malene Mai Solvang, a rider soon to count in among the very best in our region.

In spite of Malenes great start of the season 2025, she is already looking ahead.

– I’m really looking forward to next race, she says just a day after coming back to Norway.

Malene is still in upper secondary school and the spring is busy trying to find time to get good grades as well as practice and racing. A good team and back up by the family and maybe most her dad, rider himself, Gunnar Solvang, Malene might have the best base in both life and racing.

We cross our fingers for this young talent and wish her the very best during season 2025.

Pictures private, JP Purtilo and Nicki Twang