The inaugural evening in Bulgaria brought the thrills and spills that fans of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship are accustomed to, with several riders shining bright and Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) hailed as one of the great heroes of the evening.
Race Report and Images by MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
The English rider suffered through the entire evening with food poisoning and his participation was in doubt until just before the first gate drop. Determined not to see the title slip away, WALKER gathered the little strength he had left to race the penultimate GP of the season. The Beta rider was impressive, managing to finish each of the races despite his immense physical disadvantage. He achieved fourth in the first and second races and fifth in the final fight of the night, therefore finishing fourth overall in the GP, tied on points with Will HOARE (GBR-Rieju).
WALKER is now 59 points behind Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) – if the reigning champion takes victory in the first race next weekend, he would be crowned without even needing to contest the remaining two races.
BOLT On Another Planet
It was another impeccable evening for BOLT as he smashed the fastest time in the Akrapovic Superpole, rushed to the Airoh Holeshot Award, and won all three races with relative ease. The factory Husqvarna rider left the Bulgarian crowd in no doubt of his skill, talent and showmanship. Winning the first race by almost eight seconds ahead of Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM), and the second race ahead of the German by almost ten seconds. In the final battle of the night BOLT did not let up his effort, taking another controlled victory in front of Will HOARE and Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS). A hattrick for BOLT which made onlookers forget the injury problems he has suffered in recent weeks. King Billy is only a week away from another crown…
The rest of the evening was quite lively for the podium contenders, Manuel LETTENBICHLER finished second overall in the Bulgarian GP after having perfectly played his role as an outsider, replacing Jonny WALKER at the front. The German rode very well during all three races but the last one was a little more hectic for the factory KTM rider who took the chequered flag in fourth place. His third place in the championship standings now seems almost certain, but Will HOARE is going to give everything to dislodge him during the British GP. The Rieju rider made his return to the overall podium in Bulgaria with third – a first success for the Spanish manufacturer. HOARE must close a gap of 32 points if he wants to overtake LETTENBICHLER overall. The fight for the Top 5 was also very lively, Eddie KARLSSON (SWE-Husqvarna) rode with a damaged engine all evening and finally had to give up before the last race when he could have aimed for a good third place. Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS) also came very close to his first podium in Prestige. The 2023 Junior World Champion is one of the most impressive riders of the 2024 season.
Billy Bolt : “The track tonight was slick and slippery but it was really enjoyable to ride so the Bulgarian organisation have done a brilliant job. I’ve come out of it with another three wins and a solid advantage. Tonight was tough for Jonny, and we all know what it’s like to suffer through bad times so I feel for him. It hasn’t sunk in for me yet that Newcastle is just next weekend, we’re a tightknit community and I know the atmosphere is going to be unreal, see you all there!”
After a brilliant night in Bulgaria which proved the country’s passion for the sport, we only have one week until the conclusion of a season which has been a success in every way. The grand finale of the 2024 MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship will be held in the Utilita Arena in BOLT’s hometown of Newcastle next Saturday the 2nd of March.
Bulgaria Results
Standings
