Billy Bolt battles injury at Extreme XL Lagares to finish fifth

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt has ended round two of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in fifth to maintain his top-three placing in the overall championship standings. Arriving at Extreme XL Lagares in Portugal nursing a hand injury, the Husqvarna TE 300 mounted rider dug deep to salvage as many points as possible during the three-day event.

The opening day of racing saw Billy face a morning prologue, followed by an evening SuperEnduro-style race. Using those races to settle himself into the event, Billy then prepared for Saturday’s 120-kilometre long Hard Enduro. Arguably the toughest and most physically demanding aspect of the Extreme XL Lagares format, the Brit rode well to finish in seventh.

With Sunday’s Main Race a shorter, two-hour multi-lap event, Billy gave his all and produced a solid result. Digging deep, Billy showed exactly why he is a multi-time SuperEnduro and Hard Enduro world champion, finishing a very commendable fifth.

The objective now for the Husqvarna Factory Racing rider is to heal up and return to full fitness for the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria, on June 4-7. The FIM HEWC continues with round three at Silver Kings Hard Enduro, USA, on June 18-20.

Billy Bolt: “Coming here to Portugal with a hand injury, I knew this race would be a matter of survival and simply trying to salvage points. I’m pretty made up with fifth place to be honest. Like I said, I genuinely came just to score as many points as I could. Along with taking seventh yesterday, it’s been a job well done for me. The focus now is on healing up and getting healthy.”

FIM HEWC Round 2: Extreme XL Lagares
Main Race
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 2:24:05
2. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 2:24:13
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 2:28:32
4. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 2:29:24
5. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 2:29:47

FIM HEWC Standings (After round two)
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM) 61 points
2. Teodor Kabakchiev (Sherco) 46 pts
3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 44 pts
4. Mitch Brightmore (GASGAS) 43pts
5. Mario Roman (Husqvarna) 35 pts