The 2026 SuperEnduro season kicked off with a bang in Poland, and one rider stood above the rest—Billy Bolt, who weathered a storm of fierce competition to claim victory. But here's where it gets controversial: was it Bolt's sheer dominance or Jonny Walker's costly mistake in SuperPole that shaped the outcome? Let’s dive into the action-packed details.
The first round of the SuperEnduro World Championship in Gliwice, Poland, was a spectacle of speed, skill, and drama. With a reigning champion chasing his sixth title, the newly crowned AMA EnduroCross champion, and a mix of EnduroGP and Hard Enduro world champions on the roster, the hype was palpable. Add to that the rising stars like the Brightmore brothers and the continued evolution of electric bikes in their second season, and you had a recipe for an unforgettable event.
The PreZero Arena, just an hour from Krakow, was buzzing with energy. The track, though criticized for limited grip, held up remarkably well, delivering thrilling races across all classes. Nearly 100 riders took to the course, ensuring a night of high-octane action.
And this is the part most people miss: Practice and qualifying hinted at a focused Jonny Walker, while Billy Bolt uncharacteristically stumbled. Yet, when it mattered most in SuperPole, Bolt delivered a flawless performance, topping the session ahead of Mitch and Ash Brightmore, Eddie Karlsson, and Josep Garcia. Walker, however, faltered in the final technical turns, finishing last in SuperPole—a blunder that would haunt him for the rest of the night.
Moto 1: Bolt wasted no time, launching an aggressive and clean start that saw him take the lead by turn two. From there, he controlled the race with precision. Behind him, the Brightmore brothers and Walker battled fiercely. Walker, forced to charge from the back after a first-turn mishap, pressured Ash Brightmore relentlessly. The fight for third culminated in a dramatic final lap, where Walker’s block pass attempt ended in a crash, allowing Eddie Karlsson to slip through for third.
Moto 2: Diogo Vieira capitalized on the reverse-grid start, leading early. Walker stormed from the back, overtaking with authority to take the lead by lap three. Bolt followed closely but suffered a heavy crash after missing his rear brake, handing Walker the win. The battle for third once again featured Karlsson and the Brightmores, with Ashton securing another podium finish.
Moto 3: Bolt grabbed the holeshot but faced a relentless challenge from Walker, who steadily closed the gap despite a poor gate pick. Bolt later admitted he eased up, acknowledging that another lap could have changed the outcome. Still, he sealed the overall victory, while Walker’s 5-1-2 scorecard earned him second place.
Here’s where it gets emotional: The Brightmore brothers’ night took a painful turn when Ashton crashed into Mitch on the opening lap of the final moto, forcing Ash out of the race and leaving Mitch to scramble from last. This opened the door for Eddie Karlsson, who claimed his first SuperEnduro overall podium—a landmark result for both himself and Stark.
Controversial question: Did Walker’s SuperPole mistake cost him the win, or was Bolt simply unstoppable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
In the Junior class, Milan Schmuser dominated, winning all three motos with ease. Reigning Youth champion Ramon Godino and Toby Shaw joined him on the podium. The Youth class saw local hero Wojtek Walczak take the overall win, while Luca Kropitsch and Conor Watson rounded out the top three. In the European Championship, Eric Miguel controlled the field with two moto wins, followed by Mark Szoke and Alessandro Azzalini.
As the dust settles on Round 1, one thing is clear: the 2026 SuperEnduro season is shaping up to be a battle for the ages. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell. Photo credit: Future7Media | Andrea Belluschi.
