Interview: Billy Bolt

I initially started off racing motocross when I was six years old but changed over to trials after about a year. I think my parents thought that this would be a cheaper sport than motocross, either that or they got enjoyment out of me being beaten up by a Big heavy Yamaha TY80! 

 

Trials very quickly grew on me and I am very thankful to my parents for introducing it to me. I spent the first few years riding club trials around the NE centre before beginning to travel to clubs like Scarborough, Richmond and Yeadon & Guisley. 

It was at a club trial at Scarborough that someone suggested that I should enter the Youth D class British championship that was being held there - which I did. I struggled on my Prehistoric TY80 against modern Beta 50s, but I loved the challenge of riding a difficult course. From then on I was massively determined to improve.

 

My first year in Youth C class was the first year that I rode all rounds of the British championship, and I have done every year since with multiple round wins. But I have never managed to put it together to win a championship, which is probably the biggest disappointment looking back at my youth career. 

 

Some other highlights are winning the Mintex Time and Observation Trial, YMSA C Class champion, and taking second place in the final round of the Youth World Trial championship in 2013, Isola, France (I am the second youngest person ever to be on a podium at the WTC). 

 

Last year I moved out of youth class' a year early to allow me to gain experience riding a 300cc bike in the World Cup class at world and British championship. Results wise the year was disappointing, but I knew that the experience was invaluable for the coming years.

 

Highlights from last year were winning the Alwinton two day, and taking best Newcomer and a Spoon at the Scott Trial. 

2015 was a year I had looked forward to for many years, as it would be the first year I couldn't ride at the SSDT. This is an event which I have spectated at for many years and the thing I looked forward to most once I left schoolboy classes. 

Due to legal requirements for riding on the road it meant that I would have to ride a 125cc bike, and after a tense week-long battle with my good friend Jack Price I was delighted to come away with Best Newcomer and best up to 200cc!

 

 

Billy Bolt: I knew that the 125cc Ossa would be more than capable in the sections. and if I could nurse it round to the end of the week than the only excuse for a bad result would be myself - and in full credit to the bike, it never missed a beat. 

I didn't really have any expectations in terms of results, I just wanted to learn as much as I could about the event so I can challenge for the top positions when I can ride a big bike.

 

 

BB: With only returning home from Japan on the Wednesday I was only able to get and hour or so practice on the 125cc bike before the event, so it was just a case of learning as I went along once I had set off on Monday morning. 

The change was difficult, and most of my marks early in the week were down to needing to have a dab to get some momentum as the little engine was struggling a little. However I found the change from a 125cc back to a 300cc much more challenging - as I think everyone who saw me in the Wales BTC warm up area will agree!

 

 

BB: Yes 100%. Birks' knowledge of trials in general is amazing, and he knows that trial better than anybody, so for sure his guidance and teaching was a big factor in my overall result - even if it was a bit like being at school, haha. 

 

 

BB: I don't think that you can have to big expectations in terms of results in your first ever SSDT, as experience counts for so much up there. I knew that I had a good chance of being in with a shout for the Best Newcomer and Best Under 200cc awards along with my good friend Jack Price. This certainly did add some pressure as it was such a close battle all week long between the two of us, but when your riding all day for six days in a row with your buddies enjoyment is certainly towards the top of priorities.

 

 

BB: Yes defiantly, this trial has been a big part of my life (I think i've missed the first week in May of school every year since I was about four), so to one day win would be such a special moment for me and my family. I think you need to have a very good understanding of the event and have good people around you to be in a wining position, but i'll be there every year giving it my best shot.

 

 

BB: I knew i was getting close with two fourths in the previous two rounds. Also Scarborough is a venue which I like and have had many successes in Youth BTC here, so the ingredients were there for a good result. The day went well for me and we got the result we wanted. It was nice to achieve this at a round, as my whole family were spectating as well as my long time sponsors PCForktruck Services.. and Birks of course.

 

BB: It's certainty easier going from more power to less power put it that way haha. I had used the suspension from my normal 300cc bike at the SSDT, so the only this that was different was the power. It was a bit of a struggle at first but it didn't take long to re-adapt to my normal pre SSDT riding.

 

 

BB: I think its certainly possible if I can keep my good form going into the second half of the season. I'd like to wish Jorge Casales and Michael Brown all the best with their recovery's and hope to see the riding again soon.

 

 

How have you found the new Scorpa? Is it very different to ride compared to the Ossa?

BB: They are two very different bikes but essentially both have two wheels and handlebars, so they function pretty similarly, and with the amount of changing bikes I have already done I don't think one more change will do much harm! 

I'd like to thank Joan Gurt and OSSA for the faith he had put in me and hope that they can resolve their issues. I'd also like to give Scorpa a big shout-out for offering a lifeline to compete this year's WTC at such short notice.

 

 

BB: Well its gotten me on the podium which is something that I never managed to do last year. The whole team both here in the UK and for WTC events is working very well, so i think the move has put good people around me and i'm pleased with how things are working.

 

 

BB: Just keep putting solid results in at home and abroad. Push for that third place in the BTC standings. winning some world cup rounds once i have got my school exams out the way and can focus 100% on training. A Gold Spoon at the Scott Trial would round the year off nicely.

 

 

BB: To never have to get a normal job and keep having fun. Unfortunately I can't go into any further details.

Before we finish, I'd just like to say a massive thanks to everyone who donated to my fundraising page!