Gotland Grand National is just around the corner

It’s that time of year again. On 22–24 October, thousands of enduro riders will gather on Gotland for the 43rd edition of Gotland Grand National, the world’s largest enduro race. Riders from around 18 countries are expected to line up as Hejdeby hosts the event for the third consecutive year. But after last year’s mud chaos, it is not only the riders who face a challenge. The organisers’ extensive work on the course is also about to be put to the test.

Gotland Grand National has been held since 1984 and is one of the highlights of the year for many enduro riders. Beginners and recreational riders line up alongside experienced competitors and international elite riders. More than 3,000 participants are expected this year, ranging in age from around five to 75.

The event gets under way on Thursday 22 October, with racing beginning on Friday morning. The youngest riders in the Guldhjälm classes, along with youth and veteran competitors, will be first out on the course. Later in the day, it will be the turn of recreational riders in the 50–59 and 60+ age groups, the women’s classes, the military class and adventure riders.

Racing continues on Saturday with recreational riders aged 15–49, before the elite, junior, club-level and electric classes bring the weekend to a close.

Aftonbladet takes over the broadcasts

One of this year’s developments is a broadcasting agreement with Aftonbladet, which takes over from SVT as Gotland Grand National’s broadcast partner.

Around 12 hours of live coverage are planned across various platforms. For the first time, Friday’s racing will also receive more extensive live coverage, giving children, young riders and recreational competitors, as well as the elite, a chance to appear on screen.

Aftonbladet Plus will broadcast Friday’s press conference, Saturday morning’s race for recreational riders aged 15–49, and the elite, junior and club-level classes in the afternoon.

Friday’s racing will be streamed on SolidSport, which will also show Saturday evening’s prize-giving ceremony free of charge.

Follow your favourites on your phone

If you cannot make it to Gotland, there are several ways to follow the action from home.

The official Gotland Grand National app lets you follow your favourite riders, check live results and split times, and access start lists and event information.

The app is available for both iPhone and Android.

A course built to withstand the rain

Hejdeby’s first year as host brought fantastic conditions, with the sun in the riders’ eyes almost the biggest problem.

The following year was a different story altogether. A wet autumn turned large sections of the course into a sea of mud, leaving several hundred motorcycles stuck.

Extensive work has been carried out ahead of this year’s event to improve the course, particularly its drainage.

Working with engineering consultancy Sweco, organiser Nordic Sport & Event has analysed water flows, elevation levels and ditches. The measures include around two kilometres of restored course, nine new ditch crossings and almost two kilometres of cleared ditches.

A further half a million Swedish kronor or so has been invested over the summer to reinforce the sections of the course that caused the greatest problems last year.

The question is how well the improvements will work in practice. If conditions are wet again this year, both the course and the organisers’ preparations could face a serious test.

Triumph becomes the new main partner

Another development is that Triumph Motorcycles is taking over as main partner of Gotland Grand National. The British manufacturer succeeds KTM, which has played an important role in the event’s development for many years. KTM will, however, remain a partner of GGN.

The three-year agreement runs from 2026 to 2028 and strengthens Triumph’s presence in enduro. The manufacturer entered modern motocross and enduro racing in 2024 and has continued to expand its off-road programme since then.

When racing starts on Friday, two days of enduro, challenges and, hopefully, a little less mud than last year lie ahead.

But as anyone familiar with Gotland Grand National knows, the weather usually has a say in how things turn out.

Anna Haglund