Pekka Päivärinta and Adam Christie Narrow Gap in FIM Sidecar World Championship 2026

This past weekend, the excitement of the 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship continued as the dynamic duo of Pekka Päivärinta from Finland and Adam Christie from Beverley achieved a remarkable feat at the Automotodrom Grobnik in Croatia. With two wins under their belts from two races, they have now narrowed the gap to just four points behind the series leaders. The competition was fierce, but Päivärinta and Christie showed impressive skill and determination to secure their victories.

Race Weekend Highlights

The weekend kicked off with challenging conditions, as the sun beat down during Saturday’s eleven-lap Sprint race. However, the weather was more forgiving on Sunday for the eighteen-lap Main race, which saw the competitors pushing themselves to the limit. The atmosphere was electric as fans gathered to witness the intense battles on the track.

In qualifying, former champions Harrison Payne and Kevin Rousseau set the pace, securing pole position ahead of Päivärinta/Christie and the defending champions, Sam and Thomas Christie. The times were so close that it was almost impossible to tell who would come out on top once the races began.

Sprint Race Action

As the lights went out for the Sprint race, Payne and Rousseau shot off the line, taking the lead into the first corner. They were closely followed by Päivärinta/Christie and the Christie brothers. For the first half of the race, the top three remained unchanged, with the Christie brothers making several daring attempts to overtake.

However, it was during the latter part of the race that Päivärinta and Christie began to close in on the leaders. The veteran rider, a five-time FIM Sidecar Rider World Champion, executed a brilliant overtaking move, out-braking the leaders into a long left-hand corner just before the start straight. Once in front, they quickly pulled away, finishing the race with a lead of over four and a half seconds ahead of Payne/Rousseau, while the Christie brothers trailed by nearly eight seconds.

Main Race Showdown

The Main race began much like the Sprint, with Payne and Rousseau leading into the first turn. This time, however, the competition was even more intense as Päivärinta and Christie stayed glued to their rivals’ back wheel. Both teams were incredibly evenly matched, and a thrilling battle ensued throughout the race.

Despite the pressure, Päivärinta and Christie managed to keep their cool and executed their strategy perfectly. When the chequered flag finally waved, they crossed the line just under a second ahead of Payne/Rousseau. The Christie brothers finished in third place, nearly twenty seconds behind the leading duo.

Results

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Challenges Faced

The weekend wasn’t without its challenges. Several teams faced mechanical issues, which affected their performance. Notably, the Peugeot father-and-son team had to withdraw while in fourth position, and another team, Reeves/Farnier, struggled with their outfit, finishing in seventh place after managing just three laps in the Sprint race. Despite these setbacks, Markus Schlosser and Lucas Krieg claimed a commendable fourth place, showcasing their skill amidst the chaos.

Looking Ahead

The excitement doesn’t end here. The focus now shifts to Pau-Arnos in France, where round three of the six-round series will take place from 19-21 June. Fans can look forward to more high-speed action and fierce competition as the teams continue to battle for the championship title.

For those who can't make it to the track, selected rounds of the 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship will be streamed live on FIM-MOTO.TV, allowing fans to catch all the thrilling action from the comfort of their homes.