Day 2 of Round 1 in the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship delivered high-intensity racing at the 24MX Alestrem, as riders battled through the demanding Minerva Prologue to secure their starting positions for the main event.
Following Friday’s Xtrem Test, Saturday’s prologue featured a fast and technical two-lap format designed to push riders to their limits, with lap times around the 15-minute mark. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Bolt Strikes Back to Take Prologue Victory
After narrowly missing out in the Xtrem Test, Billy Bolt responded in style by setting the fastest time of the day with a 14:36.01.
Bolt’s aggressive yet controlled ride proved perfectly suited to the dry and grippy conditions, putting him in the ideal position heading into the main race.
Brightmore Brothers Impress
Mitch Brightmore continued his strong form by securing second place with a time of 14:41.13, once again showing he has the pace to run at the very front.
His brother, Ashton Brightmore, also delivered an impressive performance to finish third in 15:09.76, making it a standout day for the Brightmore family.
Close Battle Behind the Podium
Teodor Kabakchiev claimed fourth place with a time of 15:26.24, maintaining consistency after a solid showing in the opening day.
Eddie Karlsson rounded out the top five with a time of 15:38.18, completing a tightly contested prologue session.
With small margins separating the top riders, the stage is set for an intense main race showdown.
Minerva Prologue Results, Day 2
| Position | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Bolt | 14:36.01 |
| 2 | Mitch Brightmore | 14:41.13 |
| 3 | Ashton Brightmore | 15:09.76 |
| 4 | Teodor Kabakchiev | 15:26.24 |
| 5 | Eddie Karlsson | 15:38.18 |
All Eyes on Race Day
The Minerva Prologue plays a crucial role in determining start order for the main race, meaning Bolt’s victory gives him a clear advantage heading into Sunday’s decisive showdown.
With Lettenbichler, Bolt, and the Brightmore brothers all showing strong pace across the opening two days, Round 1 of the championship is shaping up to be a classic battle.
As the riders prepare for the brutal Alestrem main race, endurance, strategy, and mistake-free riding will be key to claiming the first overall win of the 2026 season.