The indoor season of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship is about to resume. The opening of the season in France augurs a very good fight between the big favorites who will all be keen to bring down the benchmark of the discipline, the Briton Billy BOLT (Husqvarna).
All against Billy BOLT
With three world crowns won in three years, Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) returns once again to put his title on the line. After unchallenged domination during the 2023 season, he will still be the man to beat in 2024. The Englishman only let one final escape out of all the 6 Grand-Prix of 2023. Rarely caught short, “Billy the Dog” will nevertheless have to maintain the pace he showed throughout last season. Intractable from the free practice sessions, he always gains momentum as the evening progresses. Vice world champion of Hard Enduro this season, Billy BOLT arrives this winter with the firm intention of upholding his status as absolute master of the discipline.
The danger will once again come from his friend and compatriot Jonny WALKER (BETA) who last year was the real problem for BOLT. Vice-champion in 2023, the private rider admits he had to modify his riding style enormously to keep up with the pace imposed by Billy BOLT. Jonny recognizes it, his destiny is in his hands. Did he find the necessary resources to deprive BOLT of the grand slam? He did not manage to retain his title in EnduroCross, the North American indoor Enduro championship, but he once again showed immense fighting spirit. It’s up to him to raise his level of play to try to increase his chances for the world crown.
It is obviously impossible to exclude from the list of favorites the legend Taddy BLAZUSIAK (POL) who returns for one more season. For the record, the Pole finished 3rd in the championship behind BOLT and WALKER but tied on points with Cody WEBB. It was only during the final in Gliwice in Poland that Taddy managed to make the difference by finishing 2nd in the last GP of the season. More determined than ever in the year of his 40th birthday, the Nowy Targ rider once again wants to compete against the best pilots on the planet. Injured during the EnduroCross season in the United States, we all hope that it is a BLAZUSIAK at 100% of his physical means who will take to the track. Lacking victories, the Pole returns this year at the helm of a machine that could make a big buzz…. We have a surprise in store for you for the opening round of the French GP in the Liévin arena near Lille.
But wouldn’t the danger come from someone returning to SuperEnduro? The German Manuel LETTENBICHLER, the official KTM, is making his comeback this season. Absent in SuperEnduro for two seasons, Mani intends to make life very difficult for BOLT and the other drivers. Can he benefit from the confidence established this season with his great outdoor domination, having retained his title of Hard Enduro world champion? He will undoubtedly be one of the serious contenders to watch this season.
The World Championship also returns with all the competitors who come to host the finals. Dominik OLSZOWY (POL) is back. The 2022 Junior world champion has signed his first official rider contract. It is now under the banner of the Catalan brand Rieju. OLSZOWY is participating in the full season with the aim of continuing to perfect his learning and trying when the opportunity arises to get on the podium. He will be associated with the reference Alfredo GOMEZ (ESP) during the first two rounds of the season. There is no doubt that the Pole will come across talented drivers of the caliber of Tim APOLLE (GER-Beta) or the Briton Will HOARE (Beta) on his route. The championship will have the satisfaction of finding the spectacular Swede Eddie KARLSSON (Husqvarna) who will want to confirm the good dispositions he showed last season. Dan PEACE (GBR-Sherco) makes his appearance among the elite for the full season. There is no doubt that the step ahead will be monumental but the Briton, winner of the European Cup last year, has strong shoulders.
Will the surprise come from the 2023 Junior champion? Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS) takes the plunge into the deep end by entering the premier category in his second season in SuperEnduro. His stunning season in the Junior category can give him the confidence to make some nice moves this year.
JUNIOR: a great season to expect.
His little brother Ashton has not made the big jump, but the Junior vice-champion will be keen to join him as quickly as possible. To do this, he will have to confirm the talent and enthusiasm that he displayed in 2023. Grand Prix winner for his year of discovery, the younger BRIGHTMORE will be the overwhelming favorite in the Junior category. On his way, boys with very broad shoulders will obviously be present to block his way. Milan SCHMUESER (GER-Sherco) will be keen to make the young Briton bite the dust. He will nevertheless have to monitor the ambitions and experience of Raul GUIMERA (ESP-Sherco). Israeli Suff SELLA (KTM) is back after a nasty injury which sidelined him from the discipline last year. The Junior category is a very open discipline which should still offer great surprises and the discovery of new talents.
European Cup and Open return
The European Cup and the Open category will further enrich the evenings of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. The European Cup will be present 4 times during the season, with the first round scheduled for Krakow on December 9. The European Cup will return to Riesa (January 6), Cluj (January 20) and Budapest (February 3). The Open category will be made up of non-qualified Prestige and Junior competitors.
First meeting Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the Arena Stade Couvert in Lievin for the big return of SuperEnduro in France, 6 years after the last Grand Prix in France!
A must-see on www.superenduro.tv!
