Finishing in a highly creditable 12th position and beating his closest championship rivals at the final round of the World Enduro Super Series in The Netherlands, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt has become The Ultimate Enduro Champion 2018. Finishing third at Knock Out, Yentel Martens rounded off a hugely positive day for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.
WESS championship leader coming into the final round of the series, Bolt did exactly what he needed to do at Knock Out and delivered one of the strongest performances of the WESS regulars. Comfortably through the morning one-hour qualifying race, he knew that while he had one hand on the championship he still needed to complete the two-hour race and ensure a solid haul of championship points.
Well positioned from the start, Bolt did his best to match the pace of the eventual podium finishers. Not pushing too hard so as to make mistakes, he completed the first half of the race with no issues. During the second half of the event the soft, unpredictable sand got the better of the Had Enduro specialist as two big crashes saw him part company with his FC 450. Despite twisting the front end of his bike, Billy charged his way through the final 45 minutes of the race to place 12th and with it become the first ever World Enduro Super Series champion.
Ending his participation in the 2018 World Enduro Super Series as winner, Billy’s WESS campaign started with victory at Extreme XL Lagares, in Portugal. Enduring more than his fair share of ups and downs during the championship, as well as a mid-season knee operation, Billy’s podium results during the closing stages of the series – Megawatt in Poland and the Hawkstone Park Cross-Country in England – ultimately put him in the championship driving seat ahead of the final round.
Delivering the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team’s best result at Knock Out was Yentel Martens. Using his sand racing skills to good effect, the Belgian put together a mistake-free race to finish a well-deserved third. One of only three riders to complete 24 laps around the gruelling track, Yentel stuck to his game plan of keeping away from trouble and not making any mistakes during the opening hour of the race before pushing hard to the finish.
Battling his way to the finish of Knock Out in 28th position, Alfredo Gomez completed 19 laps.
Billy Bolt: “I can’t believe it, this is going to take some time to sink in. To be the first World Enduro Super Series champion is awesome. The race was crazy, I had two huge crashes and hit the ground hard, but apart from that I enjoyed it. It was tough making your way past all the other competitors – there were bikes abandoned everywhere. The track changes every lap – there’s hardly a start straight now the tide has come in so much. It was frustrating at times when you got stuck or lost time due to someone else’s mistake, but that’s the nature of the race and generally the whole event went well for me. It’s been such a long season, with so many different races – to finish at the top when it’s all come to a close – it feels unreal. It’s been a real rollercoaster season for me with some challenges and then my knee surgery, to stand here now having won WESS is brilliant. It’s been a real team effort. The Rockstar Husky guys have really done everything and more to allow me to win this championship. It’s been a real team effort.”
Yentel Martens: “I am happy with third, it was really tough out there. I got a good start and for the first few laps I was running in around fifth place. I just ran my own rhythm and tried to stay out of trouble. My speed was good and the whole race went well without any issues. I got a little nervous towards the end because my watch broke and I didn’t know how much longer it was to the finish. Everything worked perfectly though, the bike was great, my team have been fantastic, everyone. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, it’s been a great weekend.”
Results – Knock Out, WESS Round 8
1. Nathan Watson (KTM) 24 laps, 2:01:43.785
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM) 2:03:14.001
3. Yentel Martens (Husqvarna) 2:07:35.255
4. Camille Chapeliere (KTM) 23 laps 2:03:48.396
5. Todd Kellet (Husqvarna) 2:05:51.526
6. Jamie McCanney (Yamaha) 2:06:02.401
…
10. Sven van der Mierden (Husqvarna) 22 laps 2:04:34.561
12. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 21 laps 2:04:36.192
28. Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) 19 laps 2:02:39.270
Final World Enduro Super Series Championship Standings 2018
1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 4800pts
2. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 4470pts
3. Nathan Watson (KTM) 4103pts
4. Josep Garcia (KTM) 4010pts
5. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 3675pts
6. Paul Bolton (KTM) 3377 pts
…
8. Graham Jarvis (Husqvarna) 3010pts
