Finnish wild-card rider Niki Tuuli took 9^th place in his debut race at the World Supersport level in Donington. Tuuli currently holds the 5^th place in European Superstock 600 championship with the line-up of Finnish based team Kallio Racing. Wild card in Donington became a possibility for this Finnish youngster based on his good speed in the previous and the current season. Tuuli came to Donington with very little experience of a Donington track or a supersport bike but throughout the weekend he managed to improve his pace impressively.

“It was great to get to drive at the World Championship level. I am very glad with how the weekend ended up. 9^th place in a debut race is something to be happy about. I had a quite heavy crash during free practice 3 and it took me a little time get comfortable with riding after that but I was finally back in my best shape in the race.”


Before the race Tuuli had set as his personal goal to get to the World Championship points. After the crash in the end of a FP3 and slightly difficult warm-up the Finnish rider was feeling a little bit nervous before the race. In qualifying Kallio Racing pilot took the 16^th position in the grid.

“I had a little soreness in my body after the crash and I wasn’t 100% comfortable with the bike in the warm-up. We made some changes to the bike for the race and those changes really worked out. In the first corner of the race I had a few hits with other riders but after that I managed to get myself to 10^th position. After that it was a battle between 6 riders for the 9^th place and I ended up winning that battle. I am definitely happy with the outcome of the weekend.”

Tuuli’s season continues in Portimao on the 7^th of June. From now one Tuuli will keep his focus on the European Superstock 600 campaign. Although the Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu has dominated the early season there is still a lot to battle after him and Tuuli will definitely have his role in that battle.

Picture: Philippe Damiens / WSBK Flat Out