After our Preview of the Junior category, it’s time to turn our attention to the big one: the Prestige class! The situation is strangely similar to that of 2018 when Cody WEBB (USA - KTM) led Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM) by more than 20 points at the final round in Sweden. What will the outcome be this time? 

The Duel at the Top!

In 2020, we find Billy BOLT in the role of Cody WEBB, while BLAZUSIAK is the hunter once again. 

• Billy BOLT (GB – Husqvarna): All action, the Briton is clearly the fastest rider on the Prestige grid - as well as being one of the most outlandish and stylish. But BLAZUSIAK can still prevent BOLT from achieving his first World crown, and as we saw in Germany the factory Husqvarna rider can be quick to lose his nerve and make mistakes when the results don’t go his way. However, BB57 has also shown unstoppable dominance at times throughout this season, which would make him very hard to beat in Lodz. 
• Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL – KTM): As we mentioned, SuperEnduro’s ‘GOAT’ found himself in a similar situation coming into the final round in 2018. And that time he performed excellently and would’ve overhauled the deficit if he hadn’t had a shock absorber failure which put him out of a race. The factory KTM rider thrives under pressure and has got a reputation as being a bit of a ‘comeback king’. The points gap is big, but anything can happen in SuperEnduro…

WALKER & GOMEZ Key Allies?

The team-mates of the two rivals, who are both very strong in their own right, may well have a very important role to play at the Atlas Arena...

• Jonny WALKER (GB – KTM): While, mathematically, the Brit still has a title chance at 35 points behind BOLT, it seems like a mammoth task. However, JW22 will certainly try to secure his position on the final podium whilst simultaneously doing his best to help his Polish team-mate to get his 7th crown. WALKER has improved race by race and is often strong at the end of the season, fans will be watching him closely.
• Alfredo GOMEZ (E – Husqvarna): Guaranteed to finish no lower than 4th overall, the Spaniard will likely have only one mission in Poland: going all out to help team-mate BOLT! In the past, the factory Husqvarna rider has played a crucial, if controversial, role in helping team-mates get to the title. 

Who Will Complete the Top 5?

Another interesting battle will take place between Blake GUTZEIT and Pol TARRES for 5th place in the title standings…

• Blake GUTZEIT (RSA – KTM): In the Top 5 since the start of the season, the 2017 Junior World Champion has only 5 points advantage ahead of his nearest rival, Pol TARRES. With an increasingly aggressive riding style, the South African has recently been warned by the Race Director to ‘cool it’, and he will have to be very careful in the battle if he doesn’t want penalties to come into play.
• Pol TARRES (E – Husqvarna): Rookie of the Year last season, the Catalan has ridden all season while suffering with a bad thumb injury. Despite this, TARRES is having a very solid year and he intends to highlight it with a Top 5 finish!

6 Riders for 4 Places…

Finally, the fight for the last four places among the Top 10 SuperEnduro riders is likely to be worth its weight in gold.

• William HOARE (GB -KTM): Despite a troublesome start to the year, the young Brit is sure to secure a Top 10 finish in the standings, but he’ll have to battle it out to see just how high up he can get. The reigning Junior World Champion will certainly seek to confirm the progress made in Hungary!
• Kevin GALLAS (D – Husqvarna): It’s fair to say that GALLAS has blown hot and cold this year, capable of great results and some below par. Despite this, the German is not far from 6th place, it will all depend on how he performs in Poland. 
• Tim APOLLE (D – Sherco): Vice Junior World Champion in 2019, the German has surprised many during his first season in Prestige. Looking ever more poised and precise, APOLLE has had a solid season which many would say deserves to be rewarded with a place in the Top 10.
• Emil JUSZCZAK (PL – Beta): The Pole has also had a very encouraging season and he will certainly be keen to confirm his place among the cream of the SuperEnduro crop in front of his home fans. But he’ll have to watch out, with two eager riders snapping at his heels…
• David LEONOV (R – Husqvarna): One of those hunting JUSZCZAK down is Russian David LEONOV, who has often performed well during the timed practice sessions and has qualified several times for the Akrapovic Super Pole, could he finally converted his strong lap times to race pace in Lodz?
• Xavi LEON SOLE (E – Husqvarna): 10th last year, the Spaniard injured his right leg in Germany which considerably dampened his ambitions, but there is no doubt that the upbeat Catalan will give everything for a good result at the end of the season. 

Without doubt, the 2020 season finale at the Atlas Arena in Lodz (Poland) will give us three magnificent Prestige race, where every second and every position will count! All that along with the usual thrilling atmosphere provided by the passionate Polish fans, you really won’t want to miss out on March 14th!

And if you can’t make it to Poland you can tune in and watch all the action LIVE on enduro-tv.com from 18:00 CET.