2024 SuperEnduro GP France | Race Highlights & Results

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The FIM SuperEnduro World Championship began its seven-round run through Europe with the 2024 GP France. The night at the Arena Stade Couvert de Liévin was dominated by Billy Bolt, as the defending champion set quick time in Super Pole and claimed the checkered flag first in all three of the motos, an effort that earned the Husqvarna Factory Racing rider the maximum points possible. Consistent riding by Johnny Walker brought the Beta Factory rider second overall, while marked improvements through each chaotic race put Will Hoare on the podium.

The series races again on December 9 at the GP Poland in Krakow.

France played host to a SuperEnduro GP for the first time since 2017, and the crowds present in Liévin were treated an interesting and enthralling evening of action.

Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) didn’t take long to get into the swing of things, taking the fastest time in the Akrapovic SuperPole by more than eight tenths of a second over his nearest rival and setting himself up nicely for the first race of the night.

The Husqvarna rider stamped his authority from the start by taking the first Airoh Holeshot of the evening and taking command of the race. Eddie KARLSSON (SWE-Husqvarna) enjoyed a great getaway, slotting into second place in front of Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) before the Brit pushed him back one place, determined not to be left behind by BOLT. Fighting it out for the Top 5 were Dominik OLSZOWY (POL-Rieju), Alfredo GOMEZ (ESP-Rieju) and the returning Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM). At the front there was no change until the finish line with BOLT taking first blood, with WALKER more than 20 seconds behind at the chequered flag. The top three in the first race was completed by an impressive OLSZOWY when he held off LETTENBICHLER who made a superb comeback after falling several times.

Despite the level of BOLT, the French GP saw plenty of great battles throughout the field with talented riders fighting valiantly for every point. In the second race, which has a reverse grid start, Diogo VIEIRA (POR-GASGAS) snatched the Airoh Holeshot, and the Portuguese rider rode well until he was eventually overtaken by the big names in the championship. By the end of the second lap BOLT had taken control of the second race. The Brit was chased by WALKER and GOMEZ as battles continued down the field. It’s worth noting the performance of Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS), the 2022 Junior World Champion, who fought it out with the much more experienced LETTENBICHLER in Race 2. Not necessarily at ease on the fast track, the young Englishman placed seventh overall at the end of his first GP in the Prestige class. The end of the second race of the night saw a fierce fight between GOMEZ, Norbert ZSIGOVITS (HUN-GASGAS), HOARE and LETTENBICHLER. It was the ever-improving Will HOARE who crossed the finish line in third place behind BOLT and WALKER as he found his feet on the Liévin layout.

The last race of the night was practically a formality for Billy BOLT who once again displayed his physical and technical superiority. The Englishman delivered a hattrick to kick off his Motoz FIM SuperEnduro World Championship season in France and naturally took the overall victory, but he remains modest and focused, stating that he needs to make improvements to be even more formidable in his hunt for trophies. But he is undoubtedly the man to beat again this year. Jonny WALKER took the second step on the podium and was largely satisfied with his results, knowing what he needs to improve on to try and match Billy. A special mention to Will HOARE, as the 25-year-old took his first world podium with third overall. A great result for a rider who is not on the ‘grading list’ (the selection of riders who automatically qualify to race).

COMPLETE RESULTS