Kenny Koskinen wins Pärnu Superbike race as Eemeli Lahti retains Estonian title

Kenny Koskinen edged Eemeli Lahti by just 0.048 seconds to win the Superbike race at Pärnu's Porsche Ring. Lahti nevertheless retained the Estonian championship with 90 points.

The two Finnish riders ran together throughout the race. Koskinen moved ahead on the ninth lap, while Jaanus Saarmaa passed Mihkel Osula one lap earlier in their separate battle. Saarmaa finished third in the race, 3.530 seconds ahead of Osula.

Lahti had set the fastest laps in practice and qualifying, but difficult track conditions followed heavy rain in Pärnu on Friday night and showers on Saturday. Koskinen said the pair had little time to practice but still improved their lap time from their previous visit.

Koskinen finished second in the championship on 86 points. Saarmaa was third on 83, and Osula fourth on 77. Saarmaa was competing in his first Superbike season after years in Superstock 600, while Osula returned to racing after previously winning the Estonian championship in 2019.

The joint Superbike and B1200 start included 23 riders. Alfreds Lazdins of Latvia won B1200, while Hugo-Brent Freimann won the combined Superstock 600 and B600 race. Oskar Kärg won B600 after defending champion Kristjan Karu retired with technical problems.

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It was nice to be ahead of him, but I also learned a lot riding behind Eemeli. He is undoubtedly faster than me, so it was good to beat Eemeli for a change.