Like last year, the Hungarian Grand Prix welcomed almost 8,000 spectators to the Papp Laszlo Sportarena and they witnessed three hours of exceptional riding by the Prestige, Junior and European categories…
It’s time to look back at this phenomenal Round 4!
Top Job!
For their very first season as organizer in 2019, Race 4U Promotion did a really solid job, and they improved even more for this second edition of the Hungarian Grand Prix! A Better thought out intro show, a kids race to give the youngest SuperEnduro fans a taste, and much more! All the ingredients were there to make Round 4 a memorable event. And we can’t forget the great track layout which was enjoyed by the majority of the protagonists, and dubbed ‘the best of the season so far’. Thanks go to Kornel NEMETH and Track Inspector Tom SAGAR for their work! Overall, a great success for Adam HADOBAS and his team!
THOR, FIM European Champion 2020!
Budapest also hosted the final round of the FIM European Cup and the duel between Sonny GOGGIA (I - Beta) and Magnus THOR (S - Husqvarna) was both intense and thrilling! As GOGGIA had a strong first race, the pair were tied heading into Race 2 (the ‘reverse grid’ race). The Swede gave everything in this last race of the night and just managed to get the better of the Italian! Although it was GOGGIA who took overall victory on the night. After his strong season THOR becomes the first Swede to win the FIM European Cup after German dominance in the last few years with Mike HARTMANN, Tim APOLLE and Robert SCHARL!
Scott Best Lap
It’s perhaps no surprise that Billy BOLT (GB - Husqvarna) was the fastest rider on the night, setting a best race lap of 40''152 and leaving, for the 4th time, with the Scott Best Lap award. Meanwhile Ty CULLINS (USA - TM), despite another difficult evening, posted the fastest lap time in Junior with a 46''447!
A Hungarian Winner
While Hungary has already fallen in love with SuperEnduro, they lacked a top rider to really cheer on in the the way that Poland does for Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM). But on Saturday, a home rider came out on top at the Papp Laszlo Arena in Budapest: Norbert ZSIGOVITS (KTM)!
Hungary’s greatest hope in Enduro, "Zsigo" pulled off a fantastic first race in the European Cup, taking his first ever victory in SuperEnduro. An impressive performance that made the organisers, fans, and his mentor, Kornel NEMETH, very happy.
Ministerial Visit
On the occasion of this Hungarian GP, the Hungarian Minister of Technology Mr. Laszlo PALKOVICS visited the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. Mr. PALKOVICS spent almost three hours with the FIM President Mr. Jorge VIEGAS, the FIM Deputy President Ignacio VERNEDA, as well as the president of MAMS Henrik HERMANN! Many aspects of the discipline were discussed, including electric bikes which are emerging more and more in the motorcycling world.
A Country Awaits!
It would be an understatement to say that Teodor KABAKCHIEV (BG - KTM) has made Bulgarian fans proud this year! With five race wins and two Grand Prix victories in his pocket, the youngster took control of the Junior category standings on Saturday evening in Budapest, despite struggling for top results in Germany. Now "KABA" is aware that he could be about to make history for his country: "There is already a rider who has become European Champion in circuit racing, but no Bulgarian has ever been crowned World Champion in any motorcycle discipline… so it would be wonderful if I could achieve that…”
Although highly motivated to fulfil this remarkable goal, his situation is still perilous as he is only 2 points ahead of Leon HENTSCHEL (D - KTM)…
See you on March 14 at the Atlas Arena in Lodz to see if KABAKCHIEV will go down in history.
The Kids are Alright
In addition to being the organiser of the Budapest SuperEnduro, Adam HADOBAS is also the promoter of a brand new national SuperEnduro championship dedicated to young riders! No fewer than 5 rounds are planned this year and this round in Budapest was the opening of the Championship. Three categories are on the programme: 85cc, 65cc, and 50cc. For inaugural race, Zsombor HORVATH won the 65cc category, Adam VASS the 50cc, while Botond HATEIER won the “big" category of 85cc. Perhaps we’ll see some stars of the future!
