At the start of the Saimaa Cycle Tour. Photo: Antti Korhola
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More than 4,000 cyclists from over 40 countries will gather in eastern Finland this July for the Saimaa Cycle Tour, now the country’s largest cycling event.
Held from 11 to 13 July 2025, the event features a 300-kilometre overnight route through Finland’s Saimaa lake district. Riders will pass through Imatra, Lappeenranta, Taipalsaari, Savitaipale, Mikkeli, Puumala and Ruokolahti before returning to Imatra. The main start takes place at 19:00 on Friday 11 July from the Imatrankoski bridge.
The number of international participants continues to rise. According to Juho Suikkari, event director of Saimaa Cycle Tour, one in four riders will come from outside Finland. Registered participants include cyclists from the United States, Brazil, India, Germany, the Netherlands and France.
“The event has grown year by year. When we started in 2021, we had about 1,300 cyclists. The number of participants has increased by roughly 20 percent annually. This year we already expect over 4,000,” Suikkari said.
Alongside the 300-kilometre main route, the event offers two shorter routes on Saturday 12 July. One covers 100 kilometres, the other 65 kilometres. Both run through the areas surrounding Imatra and Lappeenranta and are open to riders seeking a more moderate challenge.
A free children’s ride opens the weekend programme on Friday before the main start. Over 200 children under the age of 12 are expected to take part. Each young cyclist will receive a medal. The organisers said the family-focused event is designed to promote cycling as a shared activity across generations.
The Saimaa Cycle Tour is known for its overnight format. The main ride takes place under Finland’s midsummer light, allowing riders to cycle through the night without darkness. The organisers said this feature continues to draw international interest.
“Cyclists are attracted by the Finnish nature, the midnight sun and a well-organised event experience,” Suikkari said. “We’ve worked consistently with local tourism operators, and the results are now visible. Saimaa Cycle Tour brings significant tourism income and international attention to the region.”
The route covers rural and urban areas, showcasing both natural and built landscapes of the Finnish lake district. Local authorities and volunteers support the event by managing logistics, safety, and services along the route.
The Saimaa Cycle Tour is part of a growing number of international sporting events held in Finland. Organisers aim to develop it further into a flagship summer event for both amateur and seasoned cyclists.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
