After a fast and furious Saturday in Riesa, the riders came into Sunday feeling battle scared and exhausted, and some unfortunately remained on the sidelines such as Cody WEBB (USA – Sherco) and Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL – Gas GAS) – both suffering from fractures of the right wrist. However, the organisers of the Grand Prix of Germany did an amazing job not only on the first day of action, but through the night too as they transformed the track to run in the opposite direction on Day 2! The riders repaid their hard work by rewarding them with another 3 hours of spectacle and drama. And the passionate fans enjoyed two more titles awarded in Junior and European, in addition to the coronation of Billy BOLT (GB – Husqvarna) the day before!
WALKER, Vice-Champion in Prestige
Despite the Prestige title being taken one round before the end of the season, the top class category still had plenty of suspense as two riders came into the final three races with the aim of the runner-up spot; Jonny WALKER ( GB – Beta) and Colton HAAKER (USA – Husqvarna). The pair entered the SachsenArena this morning on equal points (181 pts) and they were not willing on the bottom step of the podium after such a demanding season.
Out front a buoyant BOLT soared his way to another three fantastic wins, but HAAKER and WALKER continued to offer up great battles throughout the afternoon and a great show. The fight came down to the wire, and it was the Brit who snatched the place of Prestige World Vice-Champion by just 3 points! The American tried everything to stop him, but WALKER showed calmness and precision, despite being in considerable pain with a damaged cruciate ligament in his right knee – an injury he’s had since the start of the season! Behind the unbeatable leading trio, it was local lad Tim APOLLE (D – Beta) who made the most of WEBB and BLAZUSIAK’s absences by achieving 4th place overall on the night. While Portugal’s Diogo VIEIRA (Gas Gas) took 4th in the championship.
In the Juniors, there was still a title to be signed and sealed, even though Dominik OLSZOWY (PL – Gas Gas) looked odds on favourite after dominating all season. Taddy BLAZUSIAK’s protege woke up this morning with a 49-point lead and therefore only had to finish the job in the first race. He did this very well, riding flawlessly against his rivals for 6 minutes + 1 lap! With his brilliant season, the TTR Rigamonti rider clearly represents the future of Polish SuperEnduro and places himself as the worthy successor of Taddy. He will be one to watch next season when he makes the big step into Prestige! After OLSZOWY took the crown, there was still the Vice-Champion position to be decided between three promising riders: Leon HENTSCHEL (D – Gas Gas), consistent throughout the season, Milan SCHMUESER (D – Sherco), race winner on Saturday, and the Israeli star Suff SELLA (KTM), who has seriously impressed in recent weeks. Unfortunately for the crowd, who fervently cheered home riders SCHMUESER (3/4/5) and HENTSCHEL (6/3/4), it was SELLA who shone. He stood up to the pressure exerted on him, even winning the final race of the day, and proved himself to be the favourite for next year’s Junior crown. In the Championship, it was therefore SELLA who finished runner-up to OLSZOWY for his very first SuperEnduro season at only 18 years old, ahead of SCHMUESER, while HENTSCHEL finished just off the championship podium. Hungary’s Norbert ZSIGOVITS (KTM) completed the Top 5.
GOGGIA Sails to European Cup Victory
There was little surprise in the European Cup as Sonny GOGGIA (I – KTM) only needed one race victory to bring home the cup. The Italian, whose smooth and relaxed riding style saw him sail through every race this season, left no chance for Oskar KACZMARCYK (PL – Gas Gas) who finished second this afternoon, and Aurélien ADDESSO (F – Sherco), 3rd.
In the final classification of the European Cup, GOGGIA therefore finished victorious ahead of Aurélien ADDESSO and Oskar KACZMARCZYK
This superb SuperEnduro double-header at the SachsenArena in Riesa concludes a season which saw three of its rounds moved due to the pandemic, but which provided amazing entertainment and mind-blowing skills. And while OLSZOWY and GOGGIA put together great campaigns, it’s clear that 2022 has been Billy BOLT’s season of SuperEnduro domination with his second crown in the discipline being taken with surprising ease.
Now we move into the off-season for SuperEnduro as the outdoor championships commence, and we’ll see you again in early December in Poland for the opening of the 2023 season!
Final Ranking:
Prestige: 1. Billy BOLT 312 pts; 2. Jonny WALKER 232 pts; 3. Colton HAAKER 229 pts; 4. Diogo VIEIRA 147 pts, 5. Tim APOLLE 141 pts 6. Taddy BLAZUSIAK 129 pts, 7. Cody WEBB 109 pts…
Junior: 1. Dominik OLSZOWY 234 pts; 2. Stuff SELLA 167 pts; 3. Milan SCHMUESER 167 pts; 4. Leon HENTSCHEL 161 pts; 5. Norbert ZSIGOVITS 131 pts; 6. Fabien POIROT 107 pts…
