SuperEnduro 2026 Round 1: Billy Bolt's Dominance in Poland
Billy Bolt kicked off his 2026 SuperEnduro World Championship campaign with a commanding performance in Gliwice, Poland, but faced stiff competition from Jonny Walker on the Triumph. Eddie Karlsson joined them on the podium, securing a historic first overall for both himself and Stark.
A Thrilling Start to the Indoor Season
The anticipation was palpable as the new indoor season commenced. The lineup boasted a reigning champion seeking a sixth title, a freshly crowned AMA EnduroCross champion, EnduroGP and Hard Enduro world champions, electric bikes in their second year, and the Brightmore brothers continuing their rapid ascent. The PreZero Arena, located just an hour from Krakow, was packed with spectators, and the track delivered thrilling races across all classes, accommodating nearly 100 riders.
Practice and qualifying revealed Jonny Walker's focus, while Billy Bolt made some uncharacteristic mistakes. However, Bolt's prowess shone in SuperPole, where he claimed the top spot, ahead of Mitch and Ash Brightmore, Eddie Karlsson, and Josep Garcia. Walker's SuperPole performance took a turn when he stalled in the final technical turns, finishing last among the SuperPole riders, a setback that influenced the rest of his race.
Moto 1: Bolt's Aggressive Dominance
Unlike previous visits to Gliwice, Billy Bolt wasted no time, showcasing an aggressive and clean start in Moto 1. He surged into the lead by turn two and maintained control from the front, showcasing his Husqvarna riding prowess.
The battle behind him intensified between the Brightmore brothers and Walker, who had to navigate through the pack after being pushed wide on the first turn. The fight for third place extended into the final lap, with Walker repeatedly pressuring Ash Brightmore. The tension escalated in the final switchback, where Walker's block pass resulted in a bike drop, allowing Ash to ride over Jonny and secure P3. This move momentarily stunned the Triumph, enabling Eddie Karlsson to slip through and finish fifth.
Moto 2: Walker's Charge and Bolt's Crash
Diogo Vieira seized the opportunity of the reverse-grid start, leading from the front row while the field sorted itself out. Jonny Walker, charging from the back, executed solid overtaking maneuvers on the opening lap and took the lead by lap three. Billy Bolt followed, closing in on Walker. However, a heavy crash after missing his rear brake opened a gap that Bolt couldn't recover, handing the win to Walker.
The battle for third place again involved Karlsson and the Brightmores, with Ashton making a decisive pass on Stark rider mid-race, securing another podium finish.
Moto 3: Bolt's Holeshot and Walker's Comeback
Billy Bolt claimed the holeshot in the final race, but his win wasn't as comfortable as it seemed. Jonny Walker, hindered by a poor gate pick, steadily closed the gap over the closing laps. Bolt later admitted to easing slightly, suggesting that another lap could have altered the outcome.
The result saw Bolt secure the overall, while Walker's 5-1-2 scorecard earned him second place. The Triumph rider reflected on the SuperPole error, a pivotal moment in his race.
A Podium for Karlsson and a Bright Future
A podium finish seemed destined for one of the Brightmore brothers until Ashton crashed into his brother, causing a heavy fall at turn two on the opening lap of the final moto. This setback eliminated Ash from the race and forced Mitch to scramble from the back. The X-Grip Racing team, despite the internal strife, will endure and continue their pursuit of victory.
This opened the door for Eddie Karlsson, who claimed his first SuperEnduro overall podium and a significant achievement for Stark. The Swedish rider, who finished the race unaware of his overall lead, has earned it through his dedication with the Varg race bike.
Prestige Class Overall Results
Junior Class
Milan Schmuser, in what felt like his tenth season in Juniors, set the pace once again. He dominated Moto 1, then charged through the field from the reverse-grid start to win Moto 2, ahead of Ramon Godino and Fraiser Lampkin, both stepping up from Youth last year.
Moto 3 followed a similar pattern, with Schmuser disappearing at the front to complete the full set, dominating the opening round. The points calculation behind him was intricate, but reigning Youth champion Godino secured a Junior podium on his debut, while Toby Shaw earned third overall with a strong final race.
Junior Class Overall
Youth Class
Local favorite Wojtek Walczak emerged as the standout Youth rider of the night, securing a 1-3 scorecard for the overall and thrilling the home crowd with the Polish anthem.
Luca Kropitsch's consistency earned him second overall, while Conor Watson's Moto 2 victory placed him on the podium in third.
Youth Class Overall
European Class
Rieju rider Eric Miguel dominated the European Championship with two convincing moto wins. Hungary's Mark Szoke finished second overall, with Italy's Alessandro Azzalini in third.
European Class Overall
Photo credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi
