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.

“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.”

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.