The Tauron Arena in Krakow is set to host the second round of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. After a spectacular opening at the unprecedented French Grand Prix, the competitors are preparing to return to a place in which they are used to race against each other. Poland is an important event every season. Will the ogre Billy BOLT be able to continue his winning streak there?
Words and Images by SuperEnduro World Championship
Dominik OLSZOWY star of the day
The Pole should experience an evening he will not soon forget. The 2022 Junior world champion has been racing among the elite for two seasons. The Rieju rider continues his learning of the discipline with flawless application. His margin of improvement, since last season, seems to be on the upward slope. The Polish rider wants to fight with the best and his result clinched in France can give him reasons to hope. Fourth in the Grand Prix, behind the references Billy BOLT and Jonny WALKER, he can reasonably think of appearing on a world podium soon. Why not open his account during his national GP? The Polish fans are a connoisseur of SuperEnduro, no doubt that the Tauron Arena will be fully behind OLSZOWY.
To achieve this, he will have to defeat and try to hold on to the reigning world champion, the invincible BILLY BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna). Once again the Briton showed his domination over SuperEnduro during the season opener. It seems obvious that BOLT wants to add a 4th star on your Husqvarna Jersey. He can count on his incredible physical condition and his perfect mastery of the difficulties of the sport. As always, he cannot afford the slightest careless mistake as his competitors are watching. Not always comfortable on Polish soil known for its humidity and precarious grip, BOLT will have to work hard if he wants to win again.
Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) only dreams of this. The compatriot of the three-time world champion keeps repeating it, he wants to win this first grand prix victory which is missing from his record. Very comfortable in France, Jonny knows the points he must improve to beat the Husky rider. WALKER focuses in particular on his departures. He noted that one of the keys to BOLT’s success was his starts and first laps of the race. We will follow the progress of the private Beta rider on this very specific point.
Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM) arrives in Poland motivated after his difficult first round for his return to the discipline. The Hard Enduro world champion swore that he was going to raise his game. A little surprised by the harshness of the races of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Mani promised that he would no longer give gifts to his opponents. Having set himself the goal of being at full performance by mid-season, the official KTM rider already has no time to lose. A good result on the Krakow dirt could give him the confidence boost that the German rider is in great demand for.
The fight for places in the Top 5 will obviously be one of the big attractions of this second round. Eddie KARLSSON (SWE-Husqvarna) or Alfredo GOMEZ (ESP-Rieju) will be keen to play for a possible podium. They will surely meet on their way another Briton Will HOARE (Beta), 3rd in the first GP of the season. He will have a lot to do to confirm this result in Poland. We will have to keep an eye on Tim APOLLE (GER-Beta) and Norbert ZSIGOVITS (HUN-GASGAS) who will have their part to play. The 2023 Junior world champion, Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS), will surely want to shine on a track which should suit his riding style much more: technical rather than the very fast track of the French GP.
UNIOR: Suff SELLA to confirm after France
The Israeli rider had an exemplary season opener during the French Grand Prix in Liévin. Winner of the three evening finals, he is the logical leader in the “green plate” category. The hardest part has just begun for the Middle East boy since he will have to confirm his good intentions. On a track, which will surely be more technical and more physically demanding, will he have the abilities to control the attacks of his opponents? He will have to be wary of the enthusiasm of young Ashton BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS). Youngest brother of last year’s world champion and often a victim of his impatience, the British rider will remain focused to try to pass SELLA for the win. We can count on the good consistency displayed by Roland LISZKA, the Hungarian, on his KTM. They will have to take advantage of the absence of Milan SCHMUESER (GER-Sherco). Injured, the German rider already sees his season compromised. Let’s hope he can quickly rejoin the SuperEnduro tracks.
The SuperEnduro European Cup takes place its first round this weekend in the Tauron Arena. For the 25 competitors, it is the opportunity to ride on the same track as the kings of SuperEnduro. There is no doubt that the many Poles involved will benefit from the passion of the local fans. Two finals are on the evening program for this opening round.
Raven Spectator Contest
During the Grand Prix, the public will be involved with the new championship partner RAVEN. A few privileged fans will have the opportunity during a frenzied sprint to become the hero of the evening by winning the spectator race. The fastest will receive a nice prize to reward their efforts.
The Polish Grand Prix can be followed live from 6 p.m. (CET) on www.superenduro.tv
