Cycle News Staff | May 10, 2021
2021 Extreme X Lagares Results. Britain’s Billy Bolt topped the podium at Extreme X Lagares, round one of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Porto, Portugal, May 9.
Billy Bolt won the X Lagares Hard Enduro in Portugal. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
In what was a shortened schedule of racing due to last-minute covid restrictions, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt picked up where he left off following Saturday’s qualifying to take the top step of the podium in Sunday’s Endurocross.
He was joined on the podium by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler, with Bolt’s teammate Graham Jarvis completing the top three.
Following the announcement that Sunday’s originally planned Main race was cancelled and the event could only continue behind closed doors at the Endurocross venue, following heavy overnight rain it was mutually agreed by the event organizer and the FIM that championship points would not be awarded at round one, but that racing would continue.
Fast out of the gate for Final 1, Bolt charged his way to victory, which he convincingly backed up in race two with another winning ride. Aiming for a hat trick of wins, an early crash in Final 3 derailed the Brit’s ambitions. But with the overall win still for the taking, he powered his way back to second to earn the top step of the podium.
Behind Bolt, the battle for the remainder of the podium was tight. Despite a bad opening final and a subsequent eighth-place finish, Lettenbichler began to find his rhythm as the day progressed. Second in Final 2, he then delivered his best with victory in Final 3, finishing as overall runner-up to Bolt.
Despite an uneasy qualification on Saturday, it was Graham Jarvis who produced one of the surprise performances of the day. Proving himself a model of consistency, a trio of fourth place results earned him third overall behind Bolt and Lettenbichler.
Sherco Factory Racing’s Wade Young was another rider to perform well in the Endurocross. Fast starting, he repeatedly placed at the sharp end of the results and thanks to a 4-3-5 scorecard earned fourth overall. Rounding out the top five was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez.
“After two good wins, the overall victory nearly got away from me in the final race, thanks to a couple of crashes,” Bolt said. “My gloves were muddy, and it was hard to hang on and go fast. But I knew I had time to chip away and once I got into second, I took it home for the overall win. Of course, we didn’t get to race in the mountains like we wanted, but everyone made the best of the situation.”
Lettenbichler said, “It was sweet to win that final race. I had a good start and managed to hold off Billy at the end. I didn’t know I got second overall until we finished, so I’m super stoked about that. Despite everything, it turned into a fun day. Thanks to the organizers for keeping the ball rolling like they did.”
“After the news late on Thursday evening that the original event format wouldn’t go ahead, I think everyone, especially the event organizers, made the best of a difficult situation,” Jarvis said. “The mountains are more my style, so to be honest, I’ve surprised myself with third overall. And I think I surprised a few others, too. Getting to race today was a bonus and helped me get back into that racing mindset for the rest of the series.” CN
FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
Round 1
Extreme X Lagares Hard Enduro
Porto, Portugal
RESULTS (May 9, 2021)
OVERALL (Top 10)
| 1. |
Billy Bolt |
(Hus) 57 |
| 2. |
Manuel Lettenbichler |
(KTM) 45 |
| 3. |
Graham Jarvis |
(Hus) 39 |
| 4. |
Wade Young |
(She) 37 |
| 5. |
Alfredo Gomez |
(Hus) 35 |
| 6. |
Dominik Olszowy |
(KTM) 31 |
| 7. |
Teodor Kabakchiev |
(Hus) 28 |
| 8. |
Mario Roman |
(She) 26 |
| 9. |
Taddy Blazusiak |
(GG) 17 |
| 10. |
Kevin Gallas |
(GG) 15 |
