HIt was just short of a 3-for-3 victory for reigning world champion Billy Bolt (Husqvarna Factory Racing). Only Triump star Jonny Walker could offer any resistance during the season opener in Gliwice, Poland. Eddie Karlsson did make history, becoming the first Stark Future rider ever to reach a World Championship podium.
The hype for the first round of the new SuperEnduro season was palpable in Poland. The packed PreZero Arena was buzzing with excitement. A duel between the legendary Billy Bolt, EnduroGP World Champion Josep Garcia, Hard Enduro World Champion Manuel Lettenbichler, and AMA EnduroCross Champion Jonny Walker!
Bolt started the evening strong by SuperPole to set the fastest time. This earned him three extra points and first choice at the starting gate. British talents Mitch and Ash Brightmore also caught the eye ahead of Eddie Karlsson and Josep Garcia. Walker had crashed at the end of his lap. The resulting poorer starting position would haunt him all evening.
Race 1
In the opening final, Bolt immediately took the holeshot and controlled the race from start to finish. With precise lines and plenty of confidence, he extended his lead lap after lap, lapped several riders, and won by four seconds. Walker missed his start and had to work hard in a battle with the Brightmore brothers. Mitch Brightmore took the lead for P2. In the duel for third place, Walker himself crashed.
Race 2
In the second race, Bolt had to start from the second row due to the reversed starting format. Walker also had to come back from the back of the field. After three laps, he was in the lead. Bolt had also made a strong start and was hot on Walker's heels. Due to a heavy crash, he had to cede victory to Walker. Ashton Brightmore was third, ahead of Karlsson and lead starter Vieira.
Race 3
For race three, the Briton was back on the front row and once again took the holeshot. Bolt immediately pulled away from the field and cruised to victory. Behind him, Walker made a big impression. The British Triumph rider was clearly "best of the rest." With just one more lap, the race could have been very different.
Although a podium finish for one of the Brightmore brothers seemed a certainty, Ashton took out his brother in a crash… But he himself was the victim and had to retire, while brother Mitch had to recover from last place. Eddie Karlsson was thus handed P3 and a podium finish in the final standings!
With his 1-2-1 Bolt not only took the day's score overallzege, he also extends his perfect winning streak that dates back to the seasons 2023, 2024 and 2025. Thanks to his strong start, he immediately takes a lead of 12 points in the World Cup standings after the first of seven rounds.
The 2026 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues on January 3 with round two in Riesa, Germany.
Results – 2026 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship – Round 1, Poland
Prestige – Daily Result
1. Billy Bolt (White) 60 ptn; 2. Jonny Walker (Triumph) 48; 3. Eddie Karlsson (Stark) 41; 4. Mitch Brightmore (GRASS) 38; 5. Ashton Brightmore (GRASS) 31; 6. Jose Garcia (KTM) 28; 8. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
Prestige – Race 1
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 9 laps; 2. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS), 3. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS), 4. Eddie Karlsson (Stark), 5. Jonny Walker (Triumph), 6. Josep Garcia (KTM), 7. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM), 8. Marc Fernandez (GasGas), 9. Toby Martyn (S Alfred), 10. Gomez Gomez. (Beta)
Prestige – Race 2
1. Jonny Walker (Triumph), 2. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna), 3. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS), 4. Eddie Karlsson (Stark), 5. Diogo Vieira (GasGas), 6. Mitch Brightmore (GasGas), 7. Marc Fernandez (KTM), 8. Josep Garcia (KTM). Gomez (Beta)
Prestige – Race 3
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 9 laps, 6:59.233; 2. Jonny Walker (Triumph) 9 laps, 7:05.612; 3. Eddie Karlsson (Stark) 9 laps, 7:13.362; 5. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 9 laps, 7:26.367; 6. Josep Garcia (KTM) 9 laps, 7:30.434.
WK-stand na Ronde 1
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 60 ptn; 2. Jonny Walker (Triumph) 48; 3. Eddie Karlsson (Stark) 41; 4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 38; 5. Ashton Brightmore (GASGAS) 31; 6. Josep Garcia (KTM) 28; 7. Dominikszov Olszowy (Rieju) 25, 8. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 25.
Photos: Future7Media
