Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) continues to break records and become a true legend of his sport. The Brit won his seventh Grand Prix of the season with yet another hattrick. In fact, in 2024 BOLT took 100% of the overall victories. With the entire Utilita Arena in his home town of Newcastle behind him, BOLT used his skill and near-flawless riding to ensure nobody else could get a look in. His title celebrations started immediately after his hot Akrapovic SuperPole lap, which was enough to give him the last three points he needed to be crowned. The factory Husqvarna rider was jubilant in front an adoring crowd and he was able to enjoy the rest of the evening without any pressure. During the first race he rushed to the Airoh Holeshot, although a small mistake put Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) in the driving seat momentarily. But the quadruple world champion was back at the front in a flash. WALKER then found himself under threat from a flying Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS). However, WALKER managed to cross the finish line in front of his young compatriot as Race 1 saw a British 1-2-3.
Race 2: One of the season’s best!
The second heat of the night offered a spectacle that will go down as one of the greatest moments of the 2024 season. The race was peppered with twists, turns and unpredictability. Billy BOLT held back at the start as he often does with the reverse grid races, while out in the lead Jonny WALKER took control, overtaking Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM) and looking ever stronger with each obstacle. It looked like WALKER might get to enjoy a race victory on home soil, but a slightly crazy end to the race shook up the rankings in the second final. A mistake for BOLT in the rocks handed the Beta rider a decent lead, but the number 57 rider is not one to give up easily and, supported by 6,500 spectators, BOLT made a fantastic comeback on WALKER who made a mistake one lap from the finish. The two 2024 opponents battled shoulder-to-shoulder for a few turns, bringing the arena to its feet. Billy BOLT, as usual, had the last word, getting the better of WALKER who is also overtaken by LETTENBICHLER.
The last race was a mere formality for the 2024 champion who expressed his joy in his riding and in his celebrations. Just as in Race 2, he won Race 3 ahead of LETTENBICHLER and WALKER. The final GP result was the same as the final title standings: BOLT, WALKER, LETTENBICHLER.
Billy BOLT is 2024 World Champion, while Jonny WALKER takes the silver medal and ‘LETTI’ brings home bronze. This last race of 2024 reflected the spectacular and competitive season enjoyed by riders and fans alike. Congratulations to all the riders for a magnificent season. BOLT will now be able to think about treating his damaged knee and coming back even stronger in 2025…and who will be ready to challenge him?
Ashton BRIGHTMORE Shines His Way to the Title
At just 17 years old Ashton BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS) accomplished his mission perfectly, winning the title in the Junior category. Without so much as a wheel out of place, the younger brother of Mitch BRIGHTMORE (2023 Junior World Champion) showed unfailing composure throughout the season and on the most important night of the year. The GASGAS rider won the first race of the evening with authority and a huge standings lead over Israel’s Suff SELLA (KTM). Despite finishing an uncharacteristic seventh in the first race, SELLA reacted well by putting enormous pressure on BRIGHTMORE during the second race. The two men were wheel to wheel in the final turns of the race. SELLA let go in the melee and BRIGHTMORE headed towards his second success of the evening, which gave him the title of Junior World Champion. This latest triumph for the BRIGHTMORE family was celebrated in a wave of emotion which was plain for everyone in the arena to see. In just two seasons, the two brothers have emerged as two of the most talented riders in the sport. MITCH and ASHTON perfectly embody the bright future of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. The last round was won, in a burst of pride, by Suff SELLA who offered superb competition to BRIGHTMORE. Since his severe leg break last year, SELLA has proved himself as a fierce and skilled competitor and he offered up many great fights in 2024. Unbeatable BRIGHTMORE wins gold, while silver goes to SELLA. Roland LISZKA (HUN-KTM) resisted the return of Marc FERNANDEZ SERRA (ESP-KTM), and the young Hungarian won the bronze medal in the junior category.
In the manufacturers' ranking, HUSQVARNA wins another world title, BETA is second ahead of GASGAS and RIEJU, KTM completes the Top 5. This last round of the season marked the last race of the long term promoters of SuperEnduro: ABC Communication is withdrawing from the discipline after 12 years at the head of the world championship: 54 GPs, 15 countries visited and some incredible pages written in the off-road racing history book. A big thank you to Alain and Bastien BLANCHARD for these amazing years of competition.
What they said:
Billy Bolt: “With the thrill of the title I’d forgotten about all the pain, the leg injury and everything I went through! That’s next week’s problem. But to be honest, when I was lying on the ground in Germany after getting injured in that practice session I was in a bad place in my head. But I have an amazing team of people around me, we made good decisions together, we survived and I’ve won the title again. Massive credit to the promoters, ABC Communications, because the sport has grown so much since I started and to win at home in front of a sold-out crowd of amazing fans is an absolute dream.”
Jonny Walker: “I feel like I’m riding well, and I just need to change a few things, get rid of a few mistakes. I’m really looking forward to next year, and I’ll be giving it my all. I’m hoping to have a bit more support from Beta next year, it’s been tough being a privateer, but overall I’m pleased with how things have gone. All credit to Billy, he’s a beast and was just unbeatable.”
Ashton Brightmore
“It really means a lot to win this title, it hasn’t sunk in yet but at the same time I’m absolutely buzzing. Winning it a year after my brother is special, as a family we work really hard, and to follow in Mitch’s footsteps is so great. It’s going to be interesting to fight it out in Prestige next year! It won’t be easy and I have a lot to learn, but I’m always up for a challenge!”
