In 2024, the organizers of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship decided to reward, in collaboration with their partner Airoh, the riders who master the art of getting a good start. The Airoh Holeshot award goes to the riders who lead the way through the first turn. This reward is given in the premier category: Prestige, as well as in the Junior category to provide an extra incentive for the young SuperEnduro class.
After securing the Akrapovic SuperPole, the Swedish privateer also shone by winning the Airoh Holeshot at the first-ever Grand Prix of Romania. The BTArena track was particularly challenging to race. Composed mainly of tree trunks, the Romanian track demands a lot of skill in overcoming obstacles. Riders with a background in trials have a real advantage over their competitors. The Airoh gate was very close to the start, located just after a 180-degree turn, requiring choosing the right line to be the first to cross it.
KARLSSON like a boss
The Swede had chosen to launch completely inside for the start of the first final. It was the right choice. The Nordic rider's number 42 took off perfectly from the starting line, managing to pivot it to the inside of the first turn. KARLSSON is, therefore, the first to cross the Airoh gate, followed by the formidable Billy BOLT (GBR-Husqvarna). After a few laps, the Brit managed to take the lead in the race before having to yield to Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) due to the intense pain in his left knee. Eddie KARLSSON, the hero of the first turn, finished the race in eleventh place! The second final starts with a reversed grid. Jonny WALKER is on the front row from the outside of the grid. When the gate drops, once again, the rider placed on the inside makes the best of his starting position. Hungarian Mark SZOKE takes the holeshot on his Sherco. Billy BOLT once again had an exemplary start, managing to overtake Jonny WALKER caught in the pack. BOLT won his first race of the evening, followed by WALKER and Dominik OLSZOWY (POL-GASGAS).
The last final, as usual, follows its grid established via the Akrapovic SuperPole. Eddie KARLSSON launches once again from the inside line. When the start is given, the Swede is not the quickest off the line. Diogo VIEIRA (POR-GASGAS), Manu LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM), and Billy BOLT are faster than the Nordic rider. But at the hairpin just before the Airoh gate, KARLSSON is imposing his imposing stature and his dazzling Husqvarna. He leads in his wake a Mani who managed to stay on his machine. BOLT is the third in this furious pack. Jonny WALKER follows them. Despite his injury, BOLT takes the lead in the final and is never caught. He wins ahead of WALKER and LETTENBICHLER. Eddie KARLSSON crosses the finish line in a very respectable fourth position. He is the big winner of the Airoh Holeshot at the Grand Prix of Romania. Billy BOLT wins his fourth GP of the season, accompanied by WALKER and LETTENBICHLER on this new podium.
SELLA once again
Suff SELLA (ISR-KTM) is once again the best "starter" in the Junior category. The former motocross rider showed his skills against the pack of young riders in the green plate class. SELLA prevailed under the gate in the first and last races. However, he could do nothing to contain the enthusiasm of Ashton BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS), who won his second GP of the season ahead of Marc FERNANDEZ SERRA (ESP-KTM) and Suff SELLA (ISR-KTM). The battle continues between the Englishman and the Israeli, with the next face-off scheduled for February 3rd at the GP of Hungary in Budapest.
