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High-speed action and challenging winter conditions marked the completion of the SNX Türkiye stage of the FIM World Snowcross Championship, held in Rize’s Guneysu district.
Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Rize Governorship and the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, the event took place on a 650-meter track at the 1,800-meter-high Handuzu Plateau. A total of 28 athletes from eight countries, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Czechia, the United States and Italy, competed in the championship.
Riders launched up to 10 meters into the air from the course’s ramps, delivering dramatic moments for thousands of spectators lining the track. Dense fog occasionally forced brief pauses in the races, adding another challenge to the high-altitude competition.
Swedish athletes dominated the women’s competition, with Wilma Jonsson claiming first place, followed by Elisa Honsson and Hilda Ohman. In the men’s race, Olle Sahlstrom of Sweden secured victory, while Aki Pihlaja of Finland finished second and Filip Harr of Sweden placed third.
The second stage of the World Snowmobile Championship will be held at Handuzu Plateau on 3–4 February.
An award ceremony was held following the final races. Medals were presented by Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydas, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Safa Kocoglu, Rize Mayor Rahmi Metin, Guneysu District Governor Eyup Gurdal, Guneysu Mayor Rifat Ozer and Turkish Motorcycle Federation President Mehmet Sadik Vefa, along with other officials.
Speaking after the event, Deputy Minister Safa Kocoglu stated that Rize has hosted numerous successful sports tourism events over the past year and emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding sports participation nationwide. Governor Baydas highlighted the championship as an important step toward the development of winter sports infrastructure in the region.
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