Billy Bolt and Mitch Brightmore - 2023 SuperEnduro world champions
By Team TMX on 23rd Mar 23
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Battling Brits Billy Bolt and Mitch Brightmore take 2023 SuperEnduro world titles in Polish showdown. Yet another dominant performance from Billy Bolt saw the Husqvarna star crowned as the 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Champion at the final-round showdown in Gliwice, Poland.
Entering the final round with a 36-point advantage over second-placed Jonny Walker, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Bolt would bag his third SuperEnduro world title in a row – it was surely just a matter of time.
Billy wasn’t leaving anything to chance though and after claiming three points in the timed SuperPole session he knew that a win in the first Prestige final would deliver him that third SuperEnduro crown.
And after grabbing the holeshot and executing some clean, early laps, he opened up a sizable lead that was large enough to sustain a small tip-over in the rocks and still see the 25-year-old from Wallsend pass the finish line first to become a four-time world champion (he was the inaugural Hard Enduro World Champion too, remember).
Bolt would remain unbeaten for the rest of the night to punctuate his stupendously dominant 2023 SuperEnduro campaign.
Over the course of his dominant indoor season, Billy took his FE 350 to 14 out of a possible 15 race wins, while winning all SuperPole hot laps. Topping the overall podium five times out of five, he proved himself to be a totally worthy World Champion.
“What can I say, it’s been an incredible season,” said Billy afterwards. “This is my third world title in a row but with each one, they get that little bit sweeter. Coming into the night, I knew I had a comfortable points lead to play with but I wanted to go out there and give my best. Topping SuperPole helped the nerves and I rode hard in race one knowing that if I won I would also win the title. That felt so good. Naturally, a big thank you goes to everyone involved in helping to achieve this. It’s a big team effort for sure.”
It wasn’t just Billy Bolt who was celebrating. Buxton-based brothers Mitchell and Ashton Brightmore also had good reason to crack open the champers too. Now plying their trade for Italian GASGAS team TTR Squadra Corse, the brothers entered the final round of the Junior series running first and second with Mitchell looking likely to take the title while Ashton had a slight advantage over third-placed Milan Schmueser.
The night started with a win for Mitchell enabling him to take one step closer towards the gold medal. A third place for Schmueser halved Ashton’s advantage in race one with a win in race two putting the German Sherco rider three points ahead with just one race remaining.
At this point, Mitchell had a handy 15-point advantage in the championship meaning a steady ride in race three would deliver him the title. Ashton meanwhile had to either win or at the very least beat Schmueser by two places to secure season silver.
When the gate dropped for the final race of the night, Ashton came out swinging and with big brother riding shotgun in the early stages pulled together a perfect performance to take the race win and tie him on points with Schmueser. Fortunately, the tie-breaker worked in Ashton’s favour and the Brightmore brothers and dad Chris could celebrate finishing first and second in the world!
Bolt, the Brightmore brothers and Walker all now shift their attention to the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship which starts with the Xross in Serbia on May 17/20.
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