Purtilo prepared for second season in FIM-WC

Saku Purtilo the young flat track talent from Finland are up for his second season in the FIM World Championship. The first season was a roller coaster with both multiple crashes resulting in injurys, but it was also a promise of what he actually are able too, racing against mostly Europes best riders.

Pictures by JP Purtilo

At the moment Saku Purtilo is staying at Roccos Ranch in Spain among a bunch of other flat track riders as well as MX riders from all over Europe. The reason is of course to get as much track time as well as quality practise before the season starts. Living in Finland the layer of snow can still be present when the FIM WC-serie starts so to get a fair chance one need to head south.

After the ruff start as a WC-rider last year, Purtilo spent quite a lot of time refining both himself as well as the bike. But also time to reflect over last season and whats needed to be competetive in the Pro league. We got a report and from what we understand this winter has been benifitial getting stronger both physically and mentally and also not least a year older.

Already six weeks at Roccos, how are things?
– We’ve been working really well, getting a lot of laps in and doing some testing to make the bike better.

So you are basically ready to race now?
– The plan is to ride my first race in France, which will also be my first time on an oval this year. We’ll stay here until that first race, and then head back home to Finland.

Did you make any mayor changes on mashinery until this season?
– We’ve made big improvements to the bike — it’s much more rideable now and more consistent, especially with the engine.

So you are up for the task, well prepared?
–We’ve made the bike smoother and more predictable with the engine, and I’ve been spending more time on the bike early in the season.

Whats the plan and whats your goal for the season? Will we see you race in the Nordic region this year?
– The goal is to stay healthy and make it into the finals. I won’t be racing in Finland or the Nordic countries this year. Instead, I’ll be competing and doing events outside of Finland and the Nordics. This year, I need to be more aggressive, more ruthless, and ride a bit more “dirty”, Purtilo finish the report from Spain.

Its sad we wont see him in our own region this year but maybe there will be room in his schedule somewhere along the season. We do cross our fingers for a good season and goals achived for him.