Billy Bolt emerged victorious at Hixpania Hard Enduro last Saturday, one of the toughest dates on the calendar. The British legend provided enthusiasts with a raw day-to-day account of the rollercoaster weekend that ended with yet another win under his belt in his latest vlog.
“One of the slipperest dry rocks I’ve ever had to climb”
The weekend started with quite a different sort of outing: a journey to one local biscuit factory. “Let’s hope we start running around the track or something useful soon,” Bolt joked about having difficulty keeping his attention focused prior to getting started on real work.
When at last they reached track walk, the enormity of the task was brought into sharp focus. Baking Spanish sun beating down on them, Bolt declared: “This is possibly one of the slipperiest dry rocks I have ever had in my life.” With rain predicted, conditions would surely be treacherous.
In spite of a wakeless night and excessive fatigue, Bolt fought through the marathon laps. The race was such a close showdown with arch-rival Manuel Lettenbichler that the lead exchanged hands several times. “It was a very good fight between Manny and me,” said Bolt. “They were going back and forth.”
Having done enough by the time he finished to win out for the second year running, Bolt was able to celebrate. “I guess on paper I haven’t won,” he remarked in reference to post-race furore over scoring. “But I feel like I’ve won — two years in succession at Hixpania.”
What’s Coming Up for Billy Bolt?
Good times will come to an end. Weston Beach Race has now been put on Bolt’s personal calendar. “All roads lead to the beach. So excited. Favorite race of the year,” he informed fans, assuring them that more fun awaits them. For Bolt, it never stops grinding — and with form such as this, the momentum is well and truly on his side going into the second half of the Hard Enduro season.
Billy Bolt’s day at the Red Bull Time Ride took an unexpected turn—but not the kind that would appear in the highlights. The hometown favourite didn’t simply race the course, he afterwards issued public apology for an in-venue “accident” that caused trouble at the event. The incident was brief, but it’safter-effects may define how we view riders finding balance between competition and responsibility.
Billy Bolt in Newcastle. Credit: YouTube / Red Bull
A Surprising Admission Mid-Interview
Halfway through his self-filmed tape, Bolt pauses with perceptible hesitation and states, “I’ve sort of messed up the track for everyone … it was sort of an accident … sorry, George.” No theatrics, no frill—just one simple line of assuming responsibility. He follows that with an admission: he didn’t mean for it to happen. That raw unfiltered moment cuts through the usual post-race bravado. It signals that even the biggest names in extreme racing carry a sense of duty—to the course, to fellow riders, to fans.
That brief apology may get lost in race rundowns, yet it offers one unusual bit of insight: Bolt sees himself not only as competitor, but event space steward. For riders who compete with city courses, close time constraints, and high stunts, such imperceptible margins make all the difference.
What’s Next: Recovery, Redemption & the Road Ahead
Bolt won’t dwell long. His next targets already loom: upcoming Hard Enduro rounds, and likely another run at his home crowd in Newcastle. He’ll ride with more caution—but also with conviction.
The apology may fade in memory, but the message lingers: even in extreme sport, repair matters. As fans, we’ll be watching not just what he jumps, but how he respects what he jumps over.
Billy Bolt won the second edition of the Red Bull Tyne Ride in a head-to-head showdown with Jonny Walker in Newcastle. Set along Newcastle’s Quayside beneath the famous Tyne Bridge, the Red Bull Tyne Ride is a unique event. It features a dual-lane racetrack on the streets, open for free to the public, showcasing the world’s best riders just steps away from bars, restaurants, and even a Greggs. There’s nothing quite like it in the UK.
Taking a break from the Hard Enduro World Championship season, which will resume next weekend in Italy with the Abestone Hard Enduro, Billy Bolt and Mani Lettenbichler were joined by last year’s Tyne Ride winner Jonny Walker and Cody Webb. Both Walker and Webb were using the Tyne Ride as practice for the upcoming EnduroCross season in the USA. Other international riders included Eddie Karlsson, Mitch Brightmore, Matty Green, and Francesc Moret.
The weather often plays a role, but fortunately, it held up this time. Large crowds filled the Quayside and watched from the Tyne Bridge during early morning practice and qualifiers before the main event began in the afternoon.
Knockout Racing on a Brutal Urban Track
After qualifying, 16 riders faced off in heats, with winners moving on to the finals. The knockout format had riders racing side-by-side in a best of three setup. They quickly navigated a more challenging track than the previous year. Dougie Lampkin and his team designed and built the track specifically for this event, featuring impressive jumps, a boulder garden, a log matrix, shipping containers, and a wall ride.
Eddie Karlsson and Billy Bolt in action during Red Bull Tyne Ride, Newcastle, August 30, 2025. Credit: Red Bull
It felt somewhat unfair to pit the highest-ranked riders against the lowest in the early heats, leading to one-sided contests. A solid lineup of British riders raced against top competitors like Billy Bolt, Jonny Walker, Mani Lettenbichler, and Cody Webb, and they quickly advanced through the heats.
As Charlie Frost remarked after facing five-time SuperEnduro World Champion Billy, “When I saw they’d put me against Billy, I nearly packed up and went home!”
As the heats narrowed down to the quarter and semi-finals, the races became much closer, featuring heated duels like Walker against Lettenbichler and Mitch Brightmore against Bolt.
Billy passed Eddie Karlsson while Jonny defeated Cody Webb, setting the stage for the highly anticipated final between Bolt and Walker.
The two fastest riders faced off for the closest races of the afternoon, as the top two in the SuperEnduro world tackled the track skillfully.
Bolt Seals Hometown Victory
In the end, Walker pushed Bolt, but the Husqvarna rider claimed two wins to secure the final and stand atop the podium before his home crowd.
Billy Bolt celebrate winning Red Bull Tyne Ride, Newcastle, August 30, 2025. Credit: Redbull
“I had to watch from the sidelines last year,” Billy said after his victory, “so it gave me the chance to appreciate how big and amazing this event is. But riding this year, I had only one goal in my mind.
“The pressure was on since it’s my hometown. I felt a bit nervous this morning. A lot of people were here with high expectations for me. I had a couple of shaky runs early on, but I started to perform as I wanted toward the end.
“So, it was an amazing day, with an amazing crowd in an amazing place to ride. I’m just super grateful to be part of it all.”
“Second place – I’m happy with that,” said Walker. “The track was technical, even more than last year, so the riding was a bit more spread out.
“The crowds are always great here in Newcastle – the northern fans get excited. Everyone has a good time, and everyone is so nice. It feels like home for me – I’m only an hour and a half away, so I come here often. I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Manuel Lettenbichler, the Hard Enduro World Champion, raced in the Red Bull Tyne Ride for the first time: “It was brilliant. I couldn’t believe how good the vibe was. It’s great that it’s open to the public so everyone can come. During practice yesterday, it was packed from 9 a.m., which was really cool. Riding was good, the vibes were high, and I’m really stoked.”
