The memorial depicts Finnish motorcycle road racer Jarno Karl Keimo Saarinen (born 11 December 1945 in Turku, died 20 May 1973 in Monza, Italy), who became world champion in 1972. Saarinen was killed in a racing accident at the Monza circuit.

The sculpture was donated to the City of Turku by the Jarno Saarinen Moto Club Petrignano di Assisi. It is a portrait statue depicting a smiling Saarinen. Wearing a motorcycle jacket and holding his helmet under one arm, he makes the victory sign.