Britain’s Billy BOLT stormed to a second FIM SuperEnduro World Championship title tonight in Riesa, one full race day before the end of the season. The Husqvarna rider, fresh off a deal with Red Bull, showed his usual flair and dominance and executed the ideal evening by winning all three races in the SachsenArena. We now have a new champion, but the runner-up position is still hotly contested between WALKER and HAAKER.
The other man in the running, Taddy BLAZUSIAK, was forced to leave the competition with a broken wrist, putting a stop to the legendary Pole’s SuperEnduro season. Cody WEBB (USA-Sherco) also had a bruising early end to his season.
PRESTIGE – BOLT IN A WORLD OF HIS OWN
Factory Husqvarna rider Billy BOLT (GBR) is truly in a world of his own. The 24-year-old is breaking records and rules this season as he carves his own spectacular path through the sport – out of 12 races contested so far, he has won 11! This year it has all come together for the Brit, who is jovial and fun-loving in the paddock but turns into a efficient and unstoppable machine as soon as he fires up his Husqvarna. Throughout the various stadiums this season he has shown that nothing can keep him down, even when he makes a bad start or finds himself stuck in traffic, BOLT always finds the solution to win and demoralise his opponents. His unique style has won him many fans; his risk-taking is often at the limit, but the World Champion shows total and spectacular mastery. In Riesa he could’ve been forgiven for doing ‘just enough’, but instead he was determined to win every race – even the second match of the night where he had two crashes and came from last place to the victory.
While it was smooth sailing for BOLT, it was a different story for his long-time rival, Taddy BLAZUSIAK. The Pole, who is considered a legend in the sport, was denied his chance to fight for the runner-up spot in the title chase. Despite a below-par season so far, BLAZUSIAK was determined to fight until the end to take silver. He set the third fastest time in the Akrapovic Superpole and was setting up for a strong German Grand Prix, but in the third race this intense sport bit him. Taddy took a heavy landing after a log jump and broke his wrist on impact, instantly losing the strength to hold up his GasGas any longer. He was attended to on the trackside and shortly afterwards he left the stadium for medical treatment. We wish him well for a quick recovery and hope to see the sport’s original showman back on top form in 2023.
While BLAZUSIAK’s exit denied us a three-way battle for the Vice Champion position, the fight is still well and truly on between Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) and Colton HAAKER (USA-Husqvarna). The pair pushed each other on track all night long and although it was WALKER who managed to snatch 2nd this evening, the two riders are equal on points in the championship standings ahead of the final day of racing. On paper it is simple; whichever rider finishes in front of the other will earn the silver medal for the season but, as we know, nothing in SuperEnduro is ever simple or predictable!
In the final race of the night, as BOLT crossed the finish line, Sherco’s Cody WEBB suffered the same fate as BLAZUSIAK; breaking his wrist in a fall. A disappointing way to end what’s been a very difficult season for WEBB.
A special mention must also be given to local star Tim APOLLE (GER-GasGas) who put in a great performance to take 4th overall on the night. Fellow German and former Junior champion, Kevin Gallas (GasGas) had a rough night in the Prestige class when he picked up an injury in the second race.
JUNIOR: OLSZOWY WITH ONE HAND ON THE TROPHY
In the Junior class thing went entirely to plan for Poland’s Dominik OLSZOWY (GasGas) who now has a very strong chance of lifting the crown in the Junior category. The youngster took two out of three victories on Day 1 in Riesa, and the GasGas rider topped the podium ahead of of home crowd favourite Milan SCHMUESER (GER-SHERCO) and Israel’s Suff SELLA (KTM), who confirmed the excellent form he’s picked up at the end of the season. OLSZOWY had to concede defeat once, to the joy of the German fans when SCHMUESER rode to victory in the second race of the night. This means the Pole will no longer be able to aim for a clean sweep of winning every race of the season. But his relaxed demeanor and confident riding style saw him extend his advantage ahead of the season finale tomorrow night. Fabien POIROT (FRA-Sherco) had a tricky evening, and the Frenchman fell to 5th place overall. Home rider Leon HENTSCHEL (GasGas) put in a good performance on the night, finishing 3rd in the first race of the night.
OLSZOWY enters the final race 49 points ahead SCHMUESER, so he should be able to take things easy tomorrow night and put a smile back on the face of his mentor, Taddy BLAZUSIAK.
EUROPEAN CUP: GOGGIA MAKES IT LOOK EASY
Sonny GOGGIA (ITA-KTM) took the overall victory in style in the European Championship. The Italian struggled a little in the reverse grid race where he was beaten by his compatriot, Alessandro AZZALINI (GasGas), as well as an impressive Roland LISZKA (HUN-KTM), and Oskar KACZAMARCZYK (POL-GasGas). Hungarian Mark SZÖKE (Sherco) really upped his game in Germany and finished 2nd to GOGGIA in Race 1, but he unfortunately suffered a knee injury in the second race. GOGGIA, whose riding style is one of the most relaxed seen in the sport, should, in all likelihood, pocket the European title on Sunday afternoon in Riesa.
What They Said:
Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna): “The evening was just crazy! I made a few mistakes, but I think I also had the best round of my SuperEnduro career. The crowd were epic tonight, I couldn’t even hear my bike most of the time because they were cheering so loudly! So I’m really happy to take the title here. Of course, I’m just over the moon to win another crown, massive thanks to my wonderful team – I really couldn’t do it without them. It was a real pity to see some of the guys get hurt tonight, and I must also pay respect to all my opponents who keep me on my toes and make this sport so brilliant to watch.”
Dominik OLSZOWY (POL-GasGas): “I got two wins out of three tonight and the Junior World Championship title is really within my reach. Although I wasn’t satisfied with my pace in practice, I am very proud of the races I have contested – I did the job and that’s what counts. I don’t want to take anything for granted and it’s still necessary to be concentrated tomorrow.”
