A few days ago at Älvsbyn, Mads Larsen reached an important milestone in his young career by claiming his maiden Supercar Lites victory. The result rewards several years of steady progression for the Danish driver, whose rise through the ranks is now being confirmed on the international stage.

Mentored by Ulrik Linnemann, Larsen secured victory following an impressive performance during the second event of the Swedish weekend. It was another encouraging sign for a driver who had already been named Denmark’s Off-Road Talent of the Year by the Danish Automobile Sports Federation during the 2024-2025 off-season.

After completing a double title-winning campaign in the Danish Rallycross and Folkrace championships in 2024, Larsen stepped up to the Supercar Lites category last season. Despite his rookie status, he finished seventh in the overall standings while steadily building momentum, highlighted by three consecutive final appearances at the end of the campaign.

At Älvsbyn, the Dane confirmed that he has taken another step forward.

For Ulrik Linnemann, who has worked alongside Larsen for several years, this first international victory is, above all, the reward for a long-term project.

“It’s always nice to take a victory. I’ve believed in Mads’ potential for a long time, and seeing him win on the international stage is a real satisfaction,” he explained.

Although Larsen’s success in the second event was convincing, the weekend was not without its challenges.

“During the first event, there was a lot of traffic and it had already been six weeks since he had last driven this car, as his previous RallyX appearance had been at Valkenswaard. In the meantime, Mads had only been racing a front-wheel-drive car at home in the Danish championship. The track time he gained on Saturday helped him rebuild his confidence, find his rhythm again and gradually increase his pace, which clearly played a role in his performance during the second event.”

After securing two qualifying heat wins and pole position for the final, Larsen nevertheless approached the decisive race with a degree of caution. On a fast circuit such as Älvsbyn, a poor start can quickly end any hopes of victory.

“We were a little concerned before the final. Even from pole position, a bad launch can compromise your race through the opening two corners. His start wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to keep him in contention. After that, he fought for the lead through the opening corners and managed to take control of the race.”

Once out front, the Dane managed his advantage superbly despite challenging weather conditions.

“He found the pace he needed to maintain his lead all the way to the finish. My main focus was simply to help him stay calm. He made a few mistakes, but in wet conditions that’s difficult to avoid. His rivals made mistakes as well, and that allowed us to come away with maximum points.”

The victory allows Larsen to continue his development in one of the most competitive categories in RallyX, even if his entourage remains cautious about setting long-term objectives.

“This season is primarily a learning year. We’re not fighting for the RallyX championship and we’re simply trying to get the maximum out of every weekend,” Linnemann reminded.

The Danish mentor, however, makes no secret of the confidence he has in his driver’s future.

“For the future, several options remain open, perhaps even a Supercar. It’s still too early to say which direction we’ll take, but I’m convinced he has the potential to go even further.”

His success at Älvsbyn also underlines the progress he has made over recent months. By defeating established names such as Alex Lindeqvist and Kevin Daarbak, Larsen proved that he is now capable of competing with some of the category’s benchmark drivers.

“He still has a lot to learn, but seeing him fight at the front against drivers like Lindeqvist and Daarbak is very encouraging. Honestly, I didn’t expect Mads to be able to beat them. We thought we could be close to them, but not necessarily ahead of them.”

While a move to the next level remains premature, Linnemann acknowledges that his protégé’s performances are naturally raising ambitions within the Danish camp.

“As for a potential move to the category above, it’s still too early to talk about it, but I’m convinced he can continue to progress. One thing is certain: we’re already looking forward to returning to RallyX for the final two rounds of the season in Denmark and Germany.”