9 professional riders across 8 teams compete in the Finnish National Championship. Given the punchy finish Kanerva has to be the favorite.
One of the pros, Juntunen, gets himself into the 9-rider break which has 1’14 with 42k to go.
Juntunen and his breakaway companions still have 1’17 as they descend from the penultimate climb.
On the descent the rest of the pros bridge up to the break and with 7.5k to go Vainio and Sillankorva attack.
Those two hit the final climb with a 10 second edge on a 22-rider chase group. A number of riders tried to attack across to them during the run across the valley but all failed.
1k banner, they still have a small edge but Manninen is almost up to them. Next row is Juntunen, Kaislavuo, and Kulppi. Kanerva behind Juntunen.
600 meters. Mannien has the lead now. Vainio out of it and Silankorva fading. Kaislavuo, Kanerva and Juntunen are the biggest threats to the leader.
400 meters, Kanerva is tearing up the hill and has the lead.
Kanerva left it late but he is the Finnish National Road Race Champion.
Mannien second ahead of Kaislavuo.
Results
1
Joni Kanerva
cycleYorkshire
1h18'19
2
Matti Manninen
Xero Racing
s.t.
3
Jesse Kaislavuo
Tafjord Kraft
+ 8
4
Sakari Lehtinen
Team Würth MODYF
s.t.
5
Jaakko Sillankorva
Genii Hyundai N Cycling
s.t.
6
Antti-Jussi Juntunen
Ekoi - Le Creuset
s.t.
7
Veeti Vainio
Carlsberg - Danske Bank
+ 15
8
Samuel Pokälä
Benetton Bimex Cycling
+ 38
9
Olli Kulppi
Tafjord Kraft
s.t.
Time Trial
Pokälä should win the TT. Pokälä won the first of his 5 Finnish NC TT jerseys back in 2014. As he is now 34, today could be his last.
Kanerva is the biggest threat to Pokälä. He sets the best time at the finish, 13 seconds up on Manninen.
But Pokälä has more than enough left in the tank, he wins by 1’06.
Finland National Championships 
