WRC2 Champion of 2022, Emil Lindholm, took on a different kind of challenge this summer in his home country of Finland: the Saimaa Cycle Tour, a traditional endurance cycling event. Even for a well-trained rally driver who regularly includes cycling in his fitness routine, completing the 300 km race proved to be a serious challenge.
At first glance, rallying and cycling might seem like two very distant disciplines. But as Lindholm shows, they share more in common than one might expect. “Cycling is an essential part of my cardio training. I also truly enjoy it – it’s a fantastic way to clear my head,” says the 2022 WRC2 Champion.
Competing this season in WRC2 behind the wheel of a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Lindholm decided to step outside his usual training and join the 300 km Saimaa Cycle Tour. The event, held each July in the magical atmosphere of the “midnight sun” around Lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland, offered a challenge even for the rally ace. “I think challenges like this teach me a lot about resilience and determination. In Finnish, we have a beautiful word for it – sisu,” explains Lindholm, visibly exhausted but happy at the finish line of the 300-kilometer route.
Long-distance cycling is not something he typically trains for. “My grandfather was a passionate cyclist and took part in some of the world’s toughest endurance races. In a way, I wanted to continue his legacy,” Emil says with a smile. What makes the Saimaa Cycle Tour unique is not only its distance but also its timing – it’s ridden overnight, when the sun never fully sets in the Finnish summer. “There’s the physical preparation, but also the mental side. That applies both to rallying and cycling. You need to know your limits and push close to them, but never beyond,” reflects Emil Lindholm on the demands of both disciplines.
According to Lindholm, both sports demand endurance and mental toughness, but in different ways. “In rallying you have to concentrate on every single meter – if you lose focus, you risk going off the road. My co-driver, in my case Reeta, helps keep me alert,” he explains. “On the bike, you’re your own co-driver.” Cycling also allows him to enjoy the scenery, something rallying doesn’t leave time for. “But after this challenge, I can say one thing for sure: I won’t be getting back on the bike for a few days,” smiles Emil at the finish line.
