SuperEnduro 2026 Round 1: Billy Bolt's Stormy Ride in Poland
Billy Bolt kicked off his 2026 SuperEnduro World Championship campaign with a commanding performance in Gliwice, Poland, but not without a fierce challenge from Jonny Walker on the Triumph. Eddie Karlsson joined them on the podium, securing a historic first overall for both himself and Stark.
SuperEnduro Round 1 Highlights:
The anticipation was palpable as the new indoor season commenced: a reigning champion seeking a sixth title, the newly crowned AMA EnduroCross champion, EnduroGP and Hard Enduro world champions on the entry list, electric bikes in their second year, and the Brightmore brothers' continued ascent. The PreZero Arena, located near Krakow, was packed with spectators, hosting a track that delivered thrilling races across all classes (with nearly 100 riders in total) despite some grip concerns.
Practice and qualifying showcased Jonny Walker's focus, while Billy Bolt made a few rare mistakes. In the crucial SuperPole, Bolt shone, claiming the top spot ahead of Mitch and Ash Brightmore, Eddie Karlsson, and Josep Garcia. Walker's blunder in the final turns resulted in a last-place finish, setting the tone for a challenging night.
Moto 1
Unlike previous visits, Bolt wasted no time, showcasing an aggressive and clean start. He surged into the lead by turn two, dominating the race from the front. Behind him, the Brightmore brothers and Walker engaged in a fierce battle, with Walker forced to navigate through the pack after being pushed wide on the first turn.
The battle for third intensified on the final lap, with Walker repeatedly pressuring Ash Brightmore. In a dramatic twist, Walker attempted a block pass in the final switchback, but his bike slipped, causing him to crash. Ash rode over Jonny, securing third place, which momentarily stunned Walker, allowing Eddie Karlsson to slip through for fifth.
Moto 2
Diogo Vieira seized the opportunity with a reverse-grid start, leading from the front row as the field sorted itself out. Walker, charging from the back, executed solid overtakes on the opening lap and took the lead by lap three. Bolt followed, closing in, but a heavy crash after missing his rear brake cost him the win, which went to Walker.
The battle for third again featured Karlsson and the Brightmores, with Ashton making a decisive pass on Stark, securing another podium finish.
Moto 3
Bolt claimed the holeshot in the final race, but his victory wasn't as comfortable as it seemed. Walker, hindered by a poor gate pick, steadily closed the gap over the closing laps. Bolt admitted he eased slightly, suggesting another lap could have altered the outcome.
Despite Walker's 5-1-2 score, Bolt secured the overall, while Walker reflected on his SuperPole error. A podium was initially within reach for the Brightmore brothers until Ashton crashed into his brother, ending Ash's race and forcing Mitch to scramble from last. The X-Grip Racing team faced internal conflicts, but Karlsson emerged, claiming his first SuperEnduro overall podium and a significant result for Stark.
Prestige Class Overall Results:
Junior Class
Milan Schmuser, seemingly in his tenth season in Juniors, set the pace once again. He dominated moto one, then charged through the field from the reverse-grid start to win moto two, ahead of Ramon Godino and Fraiser Lampkin, both stepping up from Youth last year.
Moto three followed a similar pattern, with Schmuser maintaining his lead, completing a dominant opening round. The points calculation was intricate, but Godino, the reigning Youth champion, secured a Junior podium on his debut, while Toby Shaw earned third overall with a strong final race.
Junior Class Overall
Youth Class
Wojtek Walczak, the local favorite, stood out as the top Youth rider. His 1-3 scorecard secured the overall, thrilling the home crowd with the Polish anthem. Luca Kropitsch's consistency earned him second overall, while Conor Watson's moto two victory secured him third.
Youth Class Overall
European Class
Rieju rider Eric Miguel dominated the European Championship with two convincing moto wins. Mark Szoke from Hungary finished second overall, with Alessandro Azzalini from Italy in third.
European Class Overall
Photo credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi
