Cycle News Staff | March 3, 2023
Round four of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship took place this week in Jerusalem, Israel. Husqvarna rider, Billy Bolt claimed his fourth straight overall win of the 2023 season.
Bolt started the night by posting the fastest time on the SuperPole hot lap. He was the only rider under the 33-second time and earned three extra points by setting the best time.
As racing commenced it was again Bolt at the front of the field. He grabbed the first holeshot of the night and rode away to the early win despite a few big mistakes during the race. Jonny Walker got close many times but didn’t have enough to make a pass on Bolt. Walker even rear-ended Bolt at one point but settled for second. American, Cody Webb rounded out the podium in main event number-one.
Race two saw the running order flipped as the race winners started on the back row. Bolt started slowly but eventually worked his way through the field and into the lead. He later crashed after landing on a downed rider but Bolt’s lead was so large that he remounted and still managed to take the win.
Meanwhile Walker and Webb found themselves in a battle. The two connected mid-race which ended with Webb hitting the deck and losing the second spot and finishing off the podium. With Walker now second, former SuperEnduro World Champion, Taddy Blazusiak found himself taking the final podium position.
Webb finally got the start he wanted in race three with Bolt and Walker closely in tow. Webb suffered his own issues and later pulled off, dropping him off the box in the overall rankings. Bolt, however soldiered on and passed Webb for the lead. The Husqvarana rider rode the smoothest of all three races in the final one, taking the win and sweeping the night in Israel. Walker finished second again, going 2-2-2 and taking second overall. Taddy Blazusiak finished third in the final race and used his two thirds to secure third overall.
“Winning SuperPole and then all three races to claim maximum points is brilliant,” Bolt said. “But I’m super critical of how I rode in race one. There were too many mistakes on my part and when I watched the race back on video I saw where I could improve. Race two was much better and then I couldn’t really ask for more in race three because it went that well. Although I’m winning, I’m always trying to improve. With one round to go in the championship, things are looking good for me. I’ve got a solid points lead now and will keep chipping away to get my third title on the bounce, in two weeks’ time!”
Results
1. Billy Bolt (Hus) 1-1-1
2. Jonny Walker (Bet) 2-2-2
3. Taddy Blazusiak (GG) 4-3-3
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