Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt claimed a race win before going on to secure third overall in Krakow, Poland at the opening round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.
Despite having never previously raced indoors, Bolt immediately showed he had what it takes to challenge the world’s best by ending the 2018 SuperEnduro World Championship opener on the third step of the podium.
On an unpredictable and challenging track, Bolt gelled well with the conditions to go on to finish fifth in the opening final. In race two Bolt put in his best performance of the night, riding to victory. Picking up fourth place in race three, he finished third overall.
“I’m really happy with how it’s gone today,” said Bolt. “On the whole, a race win and finishing on the overall podium is really encouraging. In the first race I was suffering from arm pump a little and wasn’t able to push like I wanted to. The second race was good but in the third I was tiring a little, but it wasn’t too bad.
“You can never really prepare for the intensity of SuperEnduro, no matter how hard you try to push yourself in training. I’m looking forward to round two, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing, enjoy the racing and enjoy the experience. It’s amazing to race in front of the fans like this, their cheering really motivates you to give that little bit extra.”
Making his Husqvarna debut in Poland, Alfredo Gomez finished a strong third in race one, before several mistakes hampered his progress throughout the night and the Spaniard eventually finished fifth overall.
“It was not my best day today. The first heat went well, but there was a bit of a mess from the start in the second,” explained Gomez. “Then in the third heat I crashed in the log section and lost all my confidence. I’ll work on my pace and try to build some feeling with the bike before the next round in Germany.”
Returning to competition having sat out much of the AMA EnduroCross Championship in the USA due to an elbow injury, reigning two-time SuperEnduro World Champion Haaker didn’t enjoy the best of nights in Poland.
Although starting strongly by topping the SuperPole hot-lap, multiple crashes through each of the three races saw Haaker end his night sixth overall.
Haaker: “It’s not been the perfect start to the series for me. That first turn had a pretty gnarly obstacle and I got caught up in the first two races. I had to fight my way back from nearly last in both races and although I was riding well there wasn’t enough time. I won the Superpole, so I know my pace is there. I’ve not raced since September, so I am a little race-rusty, too. I’ve got some things I can build from so hopefully I can come back stronger.”
The FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round two in Riesa, Germany on January 6 2018.
Results – FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 1, Poland
Prestige class overall
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 53 points; 2. Cody Webb (KTM) 51pts; 3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 44 pts; 4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 37 pts; 5. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 32 pts; 6. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 32 pts
Prestige class race 1
1. Cody Webb (KTM) 7:42.778; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM), 7:45.849; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7:46.170; 4. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 7:56.016; 5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 8:10.299… 8. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 8:29.929
Prestige class race 2
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 7:38.759; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7:43.946; 3. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 7:55.536; 4. Daniel McCanney (Gas Gas) 7:59.777; 5. Cody Webb (KTM) 8:07.041; 6. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 8:15.840… 8. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 8:38.492
Prestige class race 3
1. Cody Webb (KTM) 7:36.626; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7:38.085; 3. Colton Haaker (Husqvarna) 7:51.655; 4. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna 7:53.614; 5. Jonny Walker (KTM) 7:53.692… 7. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 7:55.535