2021 XL Lagares | Race Highlights & Report

May 10, 2021

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After taking all of last year off due to global restrictions, the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship kicked off its 2021 season with one of the most popular and well-known events in extreme off-road, the XL Lagares in Portugal. The race is known for a sprawling layout that runs riders up and down staircases and along/over the water of the port city, but none of those elements were in use this year, as a last-minute decision by government officials in response to a recent issue in the area forced a complete change the competition format.

Fortunately for all involved, the event was run in at a nearby military base, which allowed it to be contained and run “behind closed doors.” Organizers were able to construct a endurocross track at the facility and decided that instead of a long traditional race, they would hold qualifying sessions on Saturday and three motos on Sunday.

But that wasn’t the end of the problems. Heavy rains on Sunday caused even more problems and after deliberation by the event staff and the FIM, it was decided that this race will not count towards the overall championship. “We tried everything possible to deliver a valid alternative of a race after the cancellation of the originally planned main event,” said Series Manager Winfried Kerschhaggl. “With the bad weather conditions adding to the complications already faced, the FIM Jury – based on my recommendation – decided to award no World Championship points for this event.”

Even with the unexpected issues, the top racers in hard enduro still lined up and went for the win.

After a few short practice sessions to learn the endurocross course, riders were given two laps against the clock to determine their rank in the qualifying standings. The challenging elements on the small track kept things close and slim margins separated the fastest riders. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt and Vision Track Beta’s Jonny Walker were a step above the rest, as they were the only two riders in the 1:24 range. A full second separated GASGAS Factory Racing’s Taddy Blazusiak, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Alfredo Gomez, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler and they completed the top-five.

The quickly constructed course was completely different on Sunday, as rains turned the small plot of Portuguese land into a quagmire, but since hard enduro competitors are accustomed to the elements, it wasn’t seen as much of an issue. After a short free practice and some inspection in the morning, they lined up for three intense motos.

Billy Bolt’s results proved that he was in fact the top rider of the weekend. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider won two of the motos, and if not for a crash early in the last race, might have swept every competitive session of the weekend. Still, Bolt’s 1-1-2 results were enough for the overall win and proved that he will be a championship contender when things get back to “normal” later in the season.

Manuel Lettenbichler faced his share of problems during Sunday’s race, including a crash in the first turn and eighth-place result in the first race, but the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider rebounded to finish second in race two and win race three. With 8-2-1 scores, Lettenbichler salvaged second overall.

Grizzled veteran Graham Jarvis stepped up when it mattered most. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider was off the pace and outside of the top-10 in Saturday’s qualifying results, but returned to the track on Sunday ready for battle. Consistent riders proved to be the key for Jarvis, as he went 4-4-4 through the motos and ended up third overall.

Wade Young and Alfredo Gomez proved that they will be factors for podium finishes through every round. Both riders ran near the top-five at different times, as Sherco Factory Racing’s Young went 3-4-5 for fourth overall while Gomez put in a third-place finish in race three and finished up fifth overall.

Race One