The MVM Dome a spectacular venue

Budapest hosted the fifth round of the 2024 MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. Usually held in the Papp Laszlo Arena, this year the organizers decided to relocate the event to the brand new MVM Dome built outside Budapest. The place can accommodate over 17,000 spectators. 13,000 fans filled the stands of this hyper high-tech arena. Promoters, competitors, and teams were all pleasantly surprised by the capacity of this new stadium. The track was very wide and fast. It offered great opportunities for confrontation. The trajectories and lines for overtaking were numerous and varied. Fast and technical, that's how most riders described this new track with uphill stone crossings and dizzying descents through the matrix. Many fell into the difficulties of the course, whether in Prestige, Junior, or the European Cup. The races were all highly contested and spectacular, offering entertainment until the last minute. Budapest has firmly established its place on the world championship calendar and is likely to host its event again in 2025.

Diogo Vieira, Hero of the Night

The friendly Portuguese rider, Diogo VIEIRA, has just stepped onto his first global podium during the Budapest race. VIEIRA has been competing in SuperEnduro since the 2017 season and is one of the most experienced riders on the 2024 grading list. He is one of the few riders who has not missed a season since he arrived at the top of the discipline.

When he arrived in Budapest last weekend, Diogo immediately felt a very good connection with the track and the environment of the fifth Grand Prix of the season. This wasn't immediately evident during free practice and timed sessions. But during the races, the Portuguese rider found the right momentum. In the first heat, he got off to an excellent start and positioned himself directly behind Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna) and Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM). He was overtaken by Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) who was delayed at the start of the race. Despite being distanced by the two Britons, he stayed in touch with the KTM factory rider. When the German made a mistake, VIEIRA seized third place in the first heat. He was able to maintain his physical strength and hold on. He thus resisted Dominik OLSZOWY (POL-Rieju), the 2021 Junior World Champion. The Portuguese rider stepped onto the provisional podium of the Budapest Grand Prix by finishing third in this first final.

On the reversed grid for the second heat, VIEIRA took the lead. He led for almost three laps before Billy BOLT managed to dislodge him from the lead. Jonny WALKER was far beyond the top 5. By finishing second in the heat, Diogo VIEIRA threatened the British rider, who dropped to third place in the standings before the final heat. Perhaps a little tense due to the event and the possibility of stepping onto his first global podium, Diogo VIEIRA made a few mistakes during the final heat. He fell right at the start, got up, and passed a few opponents before tangling with Will HOARE (GBR-Rieju) in the matrix before the finish line. When he got up for the second time, he was once again last in the Grand Prix. VIEIRA remained focused and managed to finish in sixth place. This position allowed him to step onto his first global podium. The Portuguese rider was very emotional at the finish: "It's truly a dream come true. I've been racing in SuperEnduro for so long that I've been eagerly awaiting this result. Now that I've achieved it, I'm confident and I know I can repeat this kind of feat, I know what I have to do."

Diogo VIEIRA will be able to test his new aura at the next Grand Prix, which will be held on February 24th in a brand new destination for SuperEnduro: Bulgaria.

Leon Sole European Cup on top of Europe

The European Cup held its final round at the Budapest event. With 3 wins to his name and a 31-point lead overall, Xavi LEON SOLE (ESP-GASGAS) was the top favorite to succeed Dan PEACE (winner in 2023). The Spanish rider could afford to be among the top five in the first heat to clinch the crown in 2024.

LEON SOLE responded perfectly by winning the first heat with over eight seconds ahead of Dustin MCCARTHY, the American on his Beta. Very comfortable on the spectacular Hungarian track, the future winner of the European Cup opened up a gap with his opponents. Only MCCARTHY managed to finish in the same lap as the winner of the first heat. Hubert ZBIKOWSKI (POL-KTM) and Damian BRONIEWSKI (POL-Husqvarna) both managed to get ahead of Alessandro AZZALINI, who struggled, finishing sixth. In the second heat with a reversed grid, MCCARTHY left no chance for his opponents as he headed towards a solid heat victory. The American wanted to win his first GP in his first season in the European Cup. Goal achieved here in Hungary! He finished ahead of LEON SOLE, who came second in the heat and ZBIKOWSKI who finished third in both the heat and the GP.

LEON SOLE won the European Cup that was within his reach. To celebrate this successful season, the Spanish rider is expected to participate in the next round of the world championship in the Open category with the hope of qualifying for the Prestige.

Milan SCHMUESER: the true start of the season!

The young German rider returned to competition in the Junior category at his national Grand Prix in Riesa. With courage and determination, the Sherco rider managed to step onto the podium behind the inseparable Suff SELLA (ISR-KTM) and Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS). To understand SCHMUESER's difficulties, a major favorite rider in the Junior class, one must go back to the first heat in Liévin at the GP of France. The German rider injured his forearms. His preparation and training routine were severely interrupted. Since last November, Milan has not been able to get back on his training bike. He was able to ride for a few hours the week before Budapest. It's been over 2 months without training that have ruined the season for the young German.

So his race in Budapest was very satisfying even though he only finished on the third step of the podium once again behind BRIGHTMORE and SELLA. But the German leaves positively and confidently from this fifth round of the season. He finally saw his potential in 2024. Despite some mistakes and falls, he can be satisfied and optimistic for the end of the season. The goal: to try by all means to finish on the podium behind SELLA or BRIGHTMORE. He has Roland LISZKA (HUN-KTM) in his sights, who has experienced a slight drop in performance in recent GPs (2nd in Krakow). 28 points separate the two young riders, everything is still possible.