In 2024, the promoters of the MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship decided, in collaboration with their partner Airoh, to reward riders who master the art of getting off to a good start. The Airoh Holeshot rewards riders who lead the pack through the first turn. This award is given in the premier category: Prestige, as well as in the Junior category to provide extra motivation to the young SuperEnduro class.
Budapest went all in by hosting the event at the MVM Dome. The track laid out by the organizers was one of the season's finest achievements in every aspect. Spectacular and technical, it provided ample excitement for the riders. The Airoh holeshot gate was positioned a few meters after the start. The riders had to negotiate a slight narrowing of the track while navigating through a series of quick turns from right to left.
In the first final, the start was tumultuous. Jonny WALKER (GBR-Beta) should have capitalized on his pole position earned during the Akrapovic Superpole, but being a bit too confined to the inside, the rider of the Beta number 22 had to let Manuel LETTENBICHLER (GER-KTM) and the devilish Billy BOLT pass, who seized the evening's first holeshot by being the first to pass under the Airoh gate. The Briton maintained the advantage throughout the heat despite a huge scare towards the end of the race. He prevailed ahead of WALKER and Diogo VIEIRA (POR-GASGAS). For the inverted grid heat, the Portuguese rider continued to impress his opponents. He took the holeshot and stayed in the lead for almost 3 laps before dropping back behind the triple world champion. BOLT secured his second victory of the evening ahead of VIEIRA and Mitch BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS).
In the final heat, Jonny WALKER bounced back after struggling in the previous final. He grabbed the holeshot, but he was closely followed by Billy BOLT, who crossed the gate in second place behind the Beta rider. Once again, BOLT took the lead of the heat and won ahead of WALKER and LETTENBICHLER. The world championship leader clinched his fifth GP victory of the season and, as a bonus, received a €300 check for being the best starter of the evening. The next stop for the Airoh holeshot is set for February 24th in Sofia for the first GP of Bulgaria.
Junior: Sella Once Again
The Israeli rider experienced a very intense evening in terms of emotions. He once again fell short against the fiery Ashton BRIGHTMORE (GBR-GASGAS). The Englishman won two of the evening's finals, leaving the last heat to SELLA. The KTM rider had managed to get the best start in the first heat. However, he couldn’t resist the speed of his young opponent! He repeated the feat in the final heat, securing the victory this time. He pocketed the €200 prize money once again this season. There are still two more Grand Prix races to go. BRIGHTMORE now leads SELLA by 10 points. The suspense remains high in the Junior category!
