Blog: Billy Bolt - Erzberg rookie
By Jason Bellinger on 8th Jun 16
The dust has now settled at Erzberg, Graham Jarvis showed age is just a number as the 41-year-old cruised to victory by over 30 miniutes over the runner-up.
However the rider everyone was tallking about was ErzbergRodeo rookie, Billy Bolt. The flying Geordie, on his first visit to conquer the Iron Giant, finished fifth overall, which included a mega hill climb at High Noon where he chose a different line to everyone else including former multiple Erzberg winner Taddy Blazusiak and breezed past him while Taddy was struggling for grip.
TMX asked Billy to keep a daily blog of his time at Erzberg so here is Billy account, in his own words of how his first visit to Erzberg went down...
Tuesday: Arrived late on Monday night and the mountain was in total darkness so today was the first time I saw it in the flesh and wow what a sight.
The size of the thing was phenomenal. Me Gforce Jarvis and Andy Noakley teamed up and walked some parts of the track together as I got my feeling for the place and the track, I was just so ready to get on my bike and give it a go.
Wednesday: Most of the Factory Husqvarna and KTM riders arrived last night as they were suspension testing this morning. I was allowed to give my race bike a good test which I was pleased with as I had only ridden this machine once before setting off.
First impressions of the terrain was wow! The ground is loose but if you keep the engine revving the grip is pretty good. The quarry opened for the public and hobby riders in the afternoon and the factory trucks had arrived so the mountain was starting to fill up.
The arrival of the KTM hospitality truck meant we had proper grub for lunch unlike the soggy sandwiches I made at breakfast yesterday. We walked a few more areas of the track this evening when it was a little cooler. I am slightly starting to know my way around this humongous place.
Thursday: Today we started early, Graham, Colton Haakker and I were out of the hotel for 6:30am, ready to study Karl's Dinner.
The paddock was now full up and people were flooding in.
This afternoon I did some filming with Red Bull TV, talking them through a few sections of the course.
We had to make a running repair to the banger of a vehicle we were being taken around in. This resulted in a late arrival to the press conference but I sneaked in from the side with great finesse.
Friday: Friday was another early start with the first man off at 8am. I knew the dust would be an issue so I pushed in as best I could.
My first prologue run was safe and steady. I was good on the flat out bits at the top of the mountain but I struggled to find any rhythm in the slow, narrow corridor sections and the dust got thicker and thicker as I caught the rider I front of me. I ended up 32nd overall – not where I wanted to be but I was pretty confident it would be enough for a front row spot on Sunday.
This afternoon the media was out in full force. I did more interviews today than in all my life so far!
Final thing on today's agenda was the rider presentation in the main arena and any excuse to do skids and wheelies has my full support. Made even better to see Gforce slip up and have a little crash. I haven't mentioned it at all at dinner tonight. Honest.
Saturday: Saturday was another early start. My second run started much better.
Overnight rain meant the dust settled and the course was running much faster. All was looking good for a better time until I approached a large water hole which I slightly underestimated the depth of. The splash when I hit it was enormous and so forceful it broke off my radiator shroud, completely drenched me and flooded my bike.
Once it fired up again I was wary of how much water had got inside so I just nursed it to the top making sure it would be good to go in Sunday's main race.
I was still pretty sure my Saturday time would stay well inside the top 50 giving me a front row start for Sunday. I was wrong. Just before I went to bed I learned I was 51st missing out by milliseconds.
However I remained confident for the main race. I had practiced hard, prepared well and was determined to dig as deep as required. I had one last look at a few final parts of the course before heading back to the hotel for a big feed and some rest.
Sunday: Sunday began and the mood at breakfast was tense. Everybody had the race on their minds and didn't really want to do a great deal of communicating.
We headed off down to the start line at 10:30am and tried to find some shade and chill before the start.
Midday came, the flag dropped and with great resilience I held back the urge to set of with them.
A few moments later the second row went and the race was on. I tried to race smart in the early stages. Pass people where I could but not take any big risks that could write off either myself or the bike.
The first time I saw Julian (just before Waterpipe) I was up to 23rd so I knew I was going well. I arrived to ‘Machine' around tenth and I knew now we were into the no help zone – a strong trials background would play in my favour.
We reached ‘Karl's Dinner' and I was up to fifth, I had a strong run through there and left in fourth place really feeling good and pushing to catch the podium positions.
I was closing in right up to the point when my chain derailed and wrapped around the front sprocket. After trying brute force to free it, it became apparent the swinging arm would need to be removed.
Having four riders fly by as you have your bum-bag open and tools spread everywhere doesn't half fire you up so once I reassembled the bike I set off like a mad man.
When I got to the top of ‘Dynamite', the second to last section, I had pulled back one place and Julian told me that the others were struggling with ‘Lazy Noon' so I could still improve further.
I raced there relieved to see Taddy and Wade Young still pushing towards the top.
My first attempt wasn't bad but I knew I didn't have the strength left in my arms to start pushing. I was going to have to do it in go one from the bottom.
I watched Taddy have another go and reach the same point again and decided that line was no good. I needed another approach.
Full gas and fresh dirt was the plan and to my relief I made it. A frantic dash down to the finish line followed and wow what an amazing feeling to come home in fifth at my first attempt!
Yes it was almost a lot better but at the same time it could have been a lot worse so I'll take 51st to fifth at my first go around the Iron Giant.
I'd like to give a huge thank you to Julian Stevens, my dad and everyone else who helped to make this possible, the KTM Factory for awesome hospitality throughout the week and to all the people who tuned out to support me – it means a lot.
