2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 Results

Cycle News Staff | December 22, 2022

Defending FIM SuperEnduro World Champion Billy Bolt didn’t show any signs of weakness despite having not raced in five months. Instead, the Husqvarna rider from Great Britain kicked off this season with the same vigor as he ended the last one.

2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 Results — **Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) picked up where he left off in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship by winning the series opener in Poland. Rieju’s Alfredo Gomez (85) was third in the opening moto.**

Photography by Future7Media

The reigning champion’s dominance was obvious from the first race of the evening; however, it was Beta-mounted Jonny Walker who took the first holeshot of the season. Bolt, struggling a little in the first corners, managed to come back and take the lead over American Cody Webb (Sherco) and Walker before the end of the first lap, making effortless passes on the tricky obstacles. After that the Brit and the American had to battle it out for second place, because Bolt was long gone—even a crash and an error didn’t hamper him for long.

Walker, feeling more comfortable than Webb, was the first one over the line after the Husqvarna rider.

Jonny Walker at 2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 — **Beta-mounted Jonny Walker finished second to Bolt in all three feature races.**

Taddy Blazusiak (GasGas) made a solid comeback after a crash in the opening corners. The tight track in the Tauron Arena is notoriously difficult for overtaking, but the Polish legend still managed to cross the finish line in fourth place. However, more than 50 seconds behind winner Bolt.

In the second Prestige race of the evening, with its reverse grid start, it was the new factory Rieju rider Alfredo Gomez of Spain who got off to the best start and snatched the holeshot. The Spaniard was followed by a rampant Blazusiak, carried by 12,000 spectators all committed to his cause. A few of the big favorites languished down the order, including Bolt, who had a sluggish start. But while Blazusiak seemed to have a decent lead out front after overtaking Gomez, it wasn’t long before Bolt flew through the pack. In less than three laps he had made it into the top five, and in two corners he took three places. Bolt made short work of the Pole and signed off on his second victory of the evening ahead of Walker.

Walker overtook Blazusiak as the local legend suffered physically. The Pole nevertheless managed to achieve third place in this second heat.

Cody Webb at 2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 — **American Cody Webb (2) was happy to get back on the podium again after a tough 2022 season. Webb went 3-4-3 for third overall.**

At one point during the exciting second race fans witnessed five different manufacturers in the top five positions (Husqvarna, GasGas, Beta, Rieju and Sherco).

Dominik Olzowy (GasGas), 2022 Junior Champion, experienced a complicated baptism of fire among the elite of the discipline. Victim of a spectacular crash, the Pole finished the first race in 12th place out of 13 classified riders. In the second run, he finished in the same place.

However, the last race showed the true potential of the GasGas rider as he carded an eighth-place finish with much more consistent lap times. Despite difficulties, Olzowy can look forward to the rest of the season with optimism.

Taddy Blazusiak at 2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 — **GasGas’s Taddy Blazusiak was fourth overall. His best finish of the night was third.**

The final race of the night may have had a predictable winner on paper, but it certainly didn’t lack twists and turns. Walker snatched the holeshot again, winning the Airoh Holeshot Award for the opening round of the year. The Brit left Blazusiak in his wake as the Polish hero suffered another early fall. Bolt placed himself in position to attack his compatriot, and it took him just two laps and a thrilling overtake to grab the lead of the race and never let go.

Webb finished third in this final race of the night, and therefore took third overall, too—a welcome return for the American Sherco rider who endured a very hard season last year and hasn’t stood on a SuperEnduro podium since 2019.

Walker was also satisfied with his second place overall, especially as he knew the tough Tauron Arena track was going to make every rider suffer. Now, Walker lurks close behind Bolt, who, of course, took the overall win.

Cooper Abbott at 2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 — **Sherco’s Cooper Abbott made it two Americans in the top five overall.**

“I’m really happy with this victory because the GP was far from easy,” Bolt said. “Maybe from the stands or the TV I gave the impression that it wasn’t hard, but I can tell you that the layout and the track made me suffer. I’m not fully fit yet, I haven’t been able to train well in recent months because of my injuries. But it’s reassuring to see that I’m starting the season in a solid way with this win, so in that way I’m really satisfied.”

“This second place for me is almost like a victory, I struggled with it tonight,” Walker said. “The track, as often in Poland, was very demanding and I really had to fight to get a good result tonight. I’m pleased with my race pace; it was pretty solid. I had something left to give, but the track didn’t allow me to fully attack. It’s been a good start, though.”

2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 podium — **(L-R) Walker, Bolt and Webb made up the Poland podium at the end of the night.**

Webb was thrilled to get back on the podium. “It feels incredible to be back on a SuperEnduro podium, to be honest I’d almost forgotten the feeling of joy it brings,” Webb said. “Last year, I completely lost myself, I didn’t feel like myself and my riding wasn’t there. This year we have found good settings on the bike that allow me to ride better and regain confidence. Now my only hope is to continue doing this kind of performance this season…and why not aim higher? I’m relieved and happy.”

Webb wasn’t the only rider representing the U.S. in Poland. Sherco’s Cooper Abbott had a solid night, going 6-5-6 for fifth overall behind Taddy Blazusiak’s 4-3-4 finishes.CN

VIDEO | 2022-23 FIM SuperEnduro Round 1 Highlights

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