The Tauron Arena in Krakow hosted the opening of the 2023 season. The hall was full, 14,000 passionate SuperEnduro fans came to experience the Prestige, Junior and Open class finals. Absent from World Cup destinations since December 2019, Krakow once again welcomed all the riders with passion. The applause and encouragement were of course more passionate and enthusiastic for the two local heroes Taddy BLAZUSIAK (GasGas) and Dominik OLSZOWY (GasGas). The two boys gave an uneven but encouraging performance. Polish fans will have the chance to see their favorites this season again for the final round of the 2023 season, in Gliwice, on March 17.

Karlsson and Apolle get noticed

The Swede made his first appearance among the competitors in the PRESTIGE category last week-end during the Polish GP. His performance was conclusive and convincing in many respects. Eddie KARLSSON (SWE-KTM) qualified for the Akrapovic Superpole in which he set the 4th fastest time ahead of boys like Cody WEBB and Jonny WALKER. During the 3 evening finals, the Nordic rider tapped into the potential of his KTM to pass the P8 finish in the first, P9 in the second and finally P 10 in the last evening heat. In the final classification of the Polish Grand Prix, KARLSSON ranks 9th. His results more or less coincide with the performance of Tim APOLLE (GER-GasGas). The German and the Swedish fought in the final 2 for a place in the Top 5. Still a bit short physically, the two boys will have other opportunities to shine in 2023.

Cooper ABBOTT discovers Europe and the cold

The official Sherco rider, Cooper ABBOTT is from Arizona. A North American state where the temperature in winter does not drop below 12 degrees Celsius! It was in the snow and temperatures close to zero that the American discovered Europe and the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. Despite fatigue from jet lag and the hectic pace of a GP evening, ABBOTT remained smiling and satisfied with his overall performance. 5th overall for his 1st Grand Prix, he can be optimistic for the rest of the season.

Cody WEBB is back 

His teammate and mentor Cody WEBB (USA-SHERCO) had a great recovery at the Polish GP. 3rd behind BOLT and WALKER, the North American has a lot of hope for this 2023 season. A good way for him to erase the hell experienced last year. Morale high, WEBB seems to take the race with much more serenity. One of the main reasons being is a better understanding of its official Sherco bike. With the help of the Sherco company and a very useful technical contribution, WEBB managed to take the measure of his blue machine: “we worked on the gearbox and found sprockets and gears that suit me much better. I can finally show my potential on the handlebars of my machine.” he confessed smiling. Confirmation of his new form is expected in Riesa at the beginning of January.

Difficult return for GUTZEIT and GOMEZ

Blake GUTZEIT (RSA-TM) revives after two seasons of SuperEnduro spent on his sofa, the South African is back on the tracks for a new indoor season. Even if he continued his preparation: "I made different routes in the garden at home, I rode as much as possible to stay in shape." It is clear that competition remains one of the best forms of training. GUTZEIT failed to qualify for Superpole. During the three finals, the TM rider suffered. He ranked P9, P10 and P11. He finished 10th in this recovery GP, we will have to quickly get back into the swing of things for Blake.
He changed manufacturers, but he still has official driver status. Alfredo GOMEZ (ESP-Rieju), former teammate of Colton HAAKER at Husqvarna, returns to World SuperEnduro riding a Rieju. The Spanish manufacturer has decided to trust the Iberian pilot to carry the colors of the 100% Spanish brand. No superpole for Gomez who is still looking for the right feeling as well as the right settings on his Rieju.
Whether it's GUTZEIT or GOMEZ, that makes two riders to be wary of as the events of the 2023 season progress.

Success of the OPEN CLASS for its opening night in the main event.

The OPEN Class was very interesting to follow since it allowed the two best drivers in the category to come and play among the big boys of the Elite class. It was Will HOARE (GBR-GasGas), Norbert ZSIGOVITS (H - KTM) and Eddie KARLSSON (SWE-KTM) who came to compete in the ELITE finals (KARLSSON even qualified for the SuperPole). There is no doubt that the experience lived by the two boys and the level of riding they have shown will give ideas to others to enter in the next rounds of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship. For the other competitors who remained in the OPEN category, there were two finals to be played which were both very interesting to follow. The Poles had a great time encouraging their national riders who did more than shine. Grzegorz KARGUL won on his Husqvarna. He won ahead of Léton Andris GRINFELDS (KTM) and another local Maciej WIECKOWSKI (GasGas).