2024 SuperEnduro GP Poland | Race Highlights & Results
Share
The FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continued its seven-round run through Europe with the 2024 GP Poland.
The night at the Tauron Arena in Krakow saw defending champion Billy Bolt set quick time in Super Pole and win two of the three motos, an effort that earned the Husqvarna Factory Racing rider enough points for the overall victory. Strong riding and a race win by Johnny Walker brought the Beta Factory rider a very close second overall, while Will Hoare again claimed a place on the podium.
The series races again on January 6 at the GP Germany in Riesa.
The Tauron Arena had the riders on edge from the very beginning as a challenging and technical layout awaited them. A track that forced the competitors to be on top form both physically and mentally.
However, it made for one of the most tense rounds of recent years, despite the fact that the ever-strong BILLY BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) once again took home an overall win, the 24MX Leader Plate and the best time in SuperPole.
The factory Husqvarna rider had to keep an eye on Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) from the very start of the first race, and it was neck and neck for the Airoh Holeshot, with BOLT just edging in front of WALKER. Behind the two Brits, local hero Dominik OLSZOWY (POL-Rieju) placed himself in contention despite having far less experience than the two powerhouses in front of him. He managed to stay ahead of the likes of Will HOARE (GBR-Beta) and Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM). Back in the lead, WALKER was still hanging on to BOLT’s rear wheel, the two men delivering a thrilling race and making no mistakes. It was only when they caught the ‘tailenders’ that BOLT managed to take a little advantage over the Beta rider. In the closing laps HOARE managed to grab the advantage over LETTENBICHLER and OLSZOWY.
There was uproar in the Tauron Arena at the end of race two, when Jonny WALKER did the unthinkable and crossed the line in first place, proving that Billy BOLT can indeed be beaten. His opponents had been waiting a while for the opportunity to shake things up for the three-time World Champion. Jonny WALKER’s victory quickly took shape, despite the reverse grid start, as he managed to pass early-leader Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS) smoothly and slot into his own rhythm out front. BOLT, who often has a steady approach to the reverse grid races, found himself down the field for longer than he’d hoped, and stuck in traffic. All onlookers still expected the Husqvarna rider to make his usual charge to the front, but as more laps passed it seemed WALKER had everything under control. A small fall for the Beta rider on the final lap had the crowd on their feet, but he still rejoined faster than BOLT could catch him and claimed an excellent race victory. Behind them, Will HOARE once again ranked third, just ahead of Dominik OLSZOWY who managed to control LETTENBICHLER this time.
With one win a piece for the two Brits, it was all to play for in the final race of the night. BOLT, spurred on by the fact that he had to put in one final fight, made a lightning start and dashed straight for the Airoh Holeshot. WALKER and OLSZOWY slotted into strong second and third positions, giving the crowd plenty to cheer about. Before long it was a battle of the Brits as BOLT and WALKER pulled away out front. The gap between the pair remained very small, with less than two seconds separating them at the halfway point of the race. The battle remained intense until the chequered flag, but WALKER couldn’t quite gain the advantage over his friend. BOLT won the last race in style and once again took overall victory on the night. Third place overall was fought out between LETTENBICHLER and HOARE after OLSZOWY suffered some late falls in the third race and dropped down the order. The Englishman placed 4th in the last race of the night, just one spot behind his German rival, allowing him to claim the overall podium once again.
BOLT therefore won the Polish GP ahead of WALKER and HOARE. This British hat-trick was identical to that of the first round in France, and all three are hoping to repeat the feat when the Championship heads to Germany in the new year. Billy BOLT consolidates his leadership in the world rankings, and he leaves 2023 14 points ahead of Jonny WALKER. Naturally, HOARE is third in the standings, 27 points behind WALKER and 41 behind BOLT.
