Billy Bolt has taken his fourth straight overall win of the 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship with an outstanding display of riding at round four in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Brit now heads into the final round of the series in Poland with a healthy 36-point lead.
Getting the evening’s racing underway with the SuperPole hot lap, Bolt was keen to keep his unbeaten run of form going making it four consecutive SuperPole wins. As the only rider to dip under the 33-second marker, he topped the time sheets and with it secured three important championship points.
With the track proving tight and one-lined in places, the world champ focused on grabbing the holeshot for the opening prestige class race. Timing the drop of the gate to perfection, he was immediately out front. Although later admitting to making numerous mistakes, Bolt built up a firm two second lead over rival Jonny Walker and American Cody Webb and was able to claim his first race win of the night in Jerusalem.
Race two saw him begin from row two of the reversed-grid start. But it proved to be of little consequence. Already up to second position on lap one, he took over the race lead on lap two and began to put on a master class of riding. Clocking in clean, fast laps, he quickly checked out. Despite colliding with a back marker midway through the race, Bolt raced on to secure win number two. Walker was once again second while Taddy Blazusiak found some for that his evaded him in recent rounds to round out the top three
Pleased with his own performance in race two, Bolt unquestionably found his flow in race three. Third off the start, he took control of the race lead on lap one and was never headed. Building up a 13-second advantage, the Brit was clearly in a class of his own as he made light work of the slippery track. With 12 laps complete and the night’s fastest race time, he took the win and yet another maximum SuperEnduro points haul. Walker and Blazusiak once again finished second and third respectively.
“Winning SuperPole and then all three races to claim maximum points is brilliant, it’s been a really, really good night for me,” 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!”
It was a welcome return to the podium for Taddy Blazusiak who dug deep to grab third overall in what proved to be an up-and-down night on the track, Taddy kept himself in the fight, earning a 4-3-3 scorecard to bag a much deserved slice of podium pie.
“In what was a tough night, I’m super happy to come away with third overall,” Blazusiak said. “I didn’t seem to make it easy on myself and I had to fight like a lion to get this podium. My fitness and speed is there, but I seem to keep putting myself in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the final race there was a bit of confusion when a couple of us riders crashed. Overall, with one round remaining we’re still in the fight for third in the championship. It’s a home race in Poland too, so I’m looking forward to that and will do my best to end this year on a high.”
With just one round remaining in the 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Bolt will arrive in Poland on March 18 with a 36-point championship lead as he looks to claim his third consecutive world title indoors.
Results: FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 4
Prestige Overall
1 Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 63 Points
2 Jonny Walker (Beta) 53 Points
3 Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 44 Points
Prestige Race 1
1 Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 12 laps, 7:07.417
2 Jonny Walker (Beta) 12 laps, 7:09.577
3 Cody Webb (Sherco) 7:20.577
Prestige Race 2
1 Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 12 laps, 7:09.924
2 Jonny Walker (Beta) 12 laps, 7:22.187
3 Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 12 laps, 7:40.133
Prestige Race 3
1 Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 12 laps, 6:59.341
2 Jonny Walker (Beta) 12 laps, 7:16.869
3 Taddy Blazusiak 11 laps, 7:20.708
Championship Standings (After round 4)
1 Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 247 Points
2 Jonny Walker (Beta) 211 Points
3 Cody Webb (Sherco) 152 Points
