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TIER 2

Finnish Gravel

Lahti, Paijanne Tavastia, Finland · Status: ON HIATUS — no 2026 edition; no return announced (organizer-confirmed 2026-07-16)

VERDICT F1 glamour meets Nordic gravel in a UNESCO Geopark—premium experience, premium price tag, unique bucket-list appeal.

TAKING A BREAK
FNLD GRVL is on hiatus with no return announced. The course's demands haven't changed — be ready if it comes back.
61
LAB SCORE
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RIDER SCORE · RATE IT →
[05]

The Ratings

Course verdict

Fast, flowing Finnish gravel through UNESCO Geopark terrain.[2]

Course Profile ratings for this race. Select a point for its explanation. LOGISTICS3/5LENGTH3/5TECHNICAL2/5ELEVATION2/5CLIMATE2/5ALTITUDE1/5ADVENTURE4/5 17/35
Course Profile
How the scoring works →
[01]

Course Overview

The happiest gravel in the world. F1 glamour meets midnight sun in a UNESCO Geopark. Fast, flat, and fckng Finnish.

110 mi
Distance
2,129 ft
Elevation
Lahti, Paijanne Tavastia, Finland
Location
Status: ON HIATUS — no 2026 edition; no return announced (organizer-confirmed 2026-07-16)
Date
~1,500
Field Size
$1,000
Entry Cost
MORE IN FINLAND: Falling Leaves Lahti · UEC Gravel European Championships — Lahti 2027
Facts & History

Born from a chance encounter between F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and the American gravel racing scene. In 2021, Bottas participated in SBT GRVL in Steamboat Springs and was so impressed he approached the organizers about bringing a similar event to his hometown of Lahti, Finland. The partnership with Amy Charity's GRVL Events team created a premium Nordic gravel experience. Founded in 2023. By Valtteri Bottas, Tiffany Cromwell, Amy Charity (GRVL Events).

Reputation: The Nordic entry point to premium international gravel racing. F1 glamour meets Finnish hospitality.

2023: Inaugural edition draws 1,000+ riders from 27 countries
2023: Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) wins men's race; Tiffany Cromwell wins women's by 9 minutes
2024: Markus Pajur wins men's in sprint finish; Cromwell defends title
2027: UEC European Gravel Championships confirmed for Lahti
[03]

The Course

Cyclists riding through wooded forest trail on natural dirt and gravel path during Finnish gravel race - Lahti, Paijanne Tavastia, FinlandPhoto: YouTube / FNLD GRVL @grvlevents

Fast, flowing Finnish gravel through UNESCO Geopark terrain. Well-maintained gravel roads, lakeside routes, and Nordic ski paths create a high-speed experience rather than a technical challenge. The continuous undulations and steep kickers separate riders, but this is racing, not survival. Riders average 35 kph on the twisting ski path sections.

Signature challenge: Not one killer climb, but the relentless accumulation of steep kickers and undulations that 'will separate' riders. Plus the bugs at every stop.

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MILE
Forest Entrance
Where groups fragment on the first real climbs. The continuous undulations become apparent.
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MILE
Lake Circuit
Exposed lakeside sections where wind can play a factor. Beautiful but potentially draining.
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MILE
Ski Trail Sections
Twisting Nordic ski paths with steep kickers. Where legs that are already tired face relentless small climbs.
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MILE
Final Forest Push
For those on the Midnight Sun 177km route, mental and physical fatigue combine in remote forest sections.
[04]

From the Field

Racers won't have to worry about burning daylight as the sun will not set here until 10:49 pm on June 10th. That's great news for the night owls because we'll be partying late into the evening with Music Awards and of course plenty of beer and food.

FNLD GRVL · 118 views

These massive ski jump structures will be free of snow this June and serve as a beacon for our riders as they pedal towards the finish line at the world famous Lahti Sports Complex.

FNLD GRVL · 96 views

Racers won't have to worry about burning daylight as the sun will not set here until 10 49 pm on June 10th

FNLD GRVL · 118 views

we'll be partying late into the evening with Music Awards and of course plenty of beer and food

FNLD GRVL · 118 views
FNLD GRVL Race Weekend Recap
FNLD GRVL @grvlevents · 1.3K views · 3:55
Lahti Harbor: Starting Line for FNLD GRVL
FNLD GRVL @grvlevents · 118 views · 35
FNLD GRVL Course Preview: Lahti Sports Centre
FNLD GRVL @grvlevents · 96 views · 34
RACER

Racer Reviews

Raced Finnish Gravel? Be the first to rate it.
[07]

Training

Race-specific preparation details are included in the demand profile below.

[09]

Race Logistics

Airport
HEL (Helsinki-Vantaa) - 1hr by train/bus to Lahti
Lodging
Book early in Lahti city center. Options include Scandic Lahti City, Solo Sokos Hotel, and Cumulus Lahti (cycling-friendly). Limited capacity for race weekend. Lake Paijanne accommodations offer scenic alternatives ~24km from station.
Food
Aid stations fully stocked. Post-race meal included. Finland is expensive for dining out.
Packet Pickup
Event weekend at Lahti. 4-day festival includes shakedown rides and activities.
Parking
Lahti harbor start area
OFFICIAL SITE
[10]

Tire Picks

40mmWET
1
Vittoria Terreno Wet
40mm · $80 · 39W
excellent wet grip
2
Continental Terra Trail
40mm · $75 · 34W
excellent wet grip
3
Specialized Pathfinder Pro
38mm · $55 · 32W
Fast center, grippy edges. The modern all-rounder benchmark.
FRONT/REAR SPLIT Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm / Vittoria Terreno Wet 40mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
FULL TIRE GUIDE & PRESSURE TABLE
NEWS

Latest Coverage

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Similar Races

T2 The Wolf Dronninglund, North Jutland, Denmark · 102.5 mi · 63/100 T2 Gravel Weekend Tukums Tukums, Latvia · 87.0 mi · 61/100 T2 Velothon Berlin Berlin, Germany · 99 mi · 67/100 T2 Falling Leaves Lahti Lahti, Finland · 108.7 mi · 71/100 T2 Granfondo Alpe Adria Villach, Carinthia, Austria · 100 mi · 70/100 T2 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg Winterberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · 80 mi · 66/100
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Frequently Asked Questions

Historical weather data shows average highs of 66°F and lows of 55°F, with a 60% chance of rain on any given day. Race day 2023 brought sunshine with slight wind after Thursday's rain, warm enough for sunburn despite being cooler than UK temperatures. Elle packed "3 pairs of gloves for every season" based on organizer warnings about unpredictable weather. Javi Angulo joked "We got a tan in Finland, who would have thought?" During his August test ride. More weather exposure than Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego.[2]

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport offers good international connections, with Lahti just 1 hour by train or bus. Miranda rode 165km from Helsinki to Lahti on "perfect smooth, gravel roads and paths," demonstrating excellent infrastructure. However, Finland remains expensive and accommodation options in small-city Lahti are limited for race weekend.[2]

Racing through a UNESCO Global Geopark under 19 hours of June daylight creates unique adventure. "quaint wooden houses painted red or yellow" with locals "waving and cheering," while the "sheer vastness of the landscape skewed distance and time." "one of the best gravel courses we had ever ridden."[2]

Founded by F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and WorldTour pro Tiffany Cromwell in partnership with the SBT GRVL team. Part of the UCI Gravel World Series ecosystem. Finland will host the 2027 UEC European Gravel Championships in Lahti. International media coverage and WorldTour pro participation (10% of field). Not Unbound-level iconic, but prestigious.[2]

Yes if you want a unique Nordic cultural experience with top-tier event production. Yes if you're an F1/Bottas fan. Skip if you're chasing big climbing or watching your budget. International travelers should weigh the high costs against the unique experience.

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

  1. Route Maps RideWithGPS: 2025 FNLD GRVL Midnight Sun Routeridewithgps.com/routes/50081451
  2. Media & Press Cycling Weeklywww.cyclingweekly.com/racing/valterri-bottas-gravel-race-...
  3. Community bikeperfect.com: Fnld Grvl Ride Reportwww.bikeperfect.com/features/fnld-grvl-ride-report
  4. Community off-road.cc: Fnld Grvl Why The Shortest Distance Is Often The Sweetest...off-road.cc/content/feature/fnld-grvl-why-the-shortest-di...
  5. Community sram.com: Here There Everywhere Fnld Grvlwww.sram.com/es/life/stories/here-there-everywhere-fnld-grvl
  6. Community maurten.com: Fnld Grvl Carolin Schiffwww.maurten.com/es/magazine/fnld-grvl-carolin-schiff
  7. Community keepitsimpelle.com: Fnld Grvl Reviewwww.keepitsimpelle.com/fnld-grvl-review/
  8. Community rawcyclingmag.com: Fnld Grvl A Premier Gravel Event In The Makingrawcyclingmag.com/fnld-grvl-a-premier-gravel-event-in-the...

Last updated September 2026