Persson has won the last two editions of the Gotland Grand National and will start as one of the strong early favourites.

Should he win on Saturday, he will be the first driver since Pierre Alexandre "Pela" Renet to win the event three years in a row.

The Frenchman won in 2012-2014.

Mikael Persson inspected the track on Thursday and likes what he saw along the challenging 2.2 mile stretch of track.

- From my perspective it looks great, hardly wet at all and they have done a great job with the course.

I think it will be a real gas race and I like that, says Persson to SVT Sport.

The GGN is a real challenge that requires total focus, not least considering the length of the competition of just over 3 hours of driving time and a varied surface with a unique mixture of slippery limestone, terrain with water and mud and fast trails.

Add to that a starting field with many drivers on the track at the same time.

- There is so much that comes into play.

So you have to have a very calm mind, be able to have a lot of foresight, be able to think two or three steps ahead of what is right now in order to be prepared for all conceivable conditions.

Elowson charges for the win

It is a high-class starting field with the majority of victory candidates, one who definitely should not be counted out is Albin Elowson, this year's gold medalist in both the enduro SM and the long-distance championship.

Last year Elowson was second on Gotland and in 2018 he won GGN.

- It's as usual, I'm charging for a win and I feel ready.

I have been here since Friday and tested and felt the lime and been in the environment on the island.

I have felt the limestone and gained a greater understanding of how it behaves, because it is very special, this cannot be driven anywhere else but here, says Elowson.

Four-time GGN winner Kenneth Gundersen from Norway is making a competitive comeback on the island this year and is eager for a fifth title.

- It is clear that you are keen on it, but there are many talented people participating this year, so I will do as well as I can.

I think it will be a fast race and extremely physically demanding, so I think it's whoever has the power in the last hour that will take it, says Gundersen.

Gotland Grand National - hear the top drivers before the start

  • Albin Elowson

    1 minute

  • Two-time winner Hanna Berzelius

    1 minute

  • Niklas Persson

    30 sec

  • Last year's winner Matilda Huss

    39 sec

  • Four-time winner Kenneth Gundersen

    50 sec

  • Title defense Mikael Persson

    1 minute

  • Max Ahlin

    50 sec

  • Eero Remes

    36 sec

  • Danne Karlsson

    37 sec

  • Motocross star ahead of GGN debut

    1 minute