The 2026 indoor season kicked off in Gliwice, Poland, and it was Billy Bolt who walked away with the overall win after a night full of pressure, mistakes, comebacks and close racing. The Husqvarna rider showed why he’s the man to beat, but he had to earn it.
Jonny Walker was fast all night and kept the fight alive until the very end, while Eddie Karlsson delivered one of the biggest stories of the evening by securing his first ever overall podium and a milestone result for the Stark VARG electric bike.
A tough track and a packed arena
The PreZero Arena was full, and the Gliwice track delivered exactly what fans expected. Long, technical, physical and slippery in places, the layout challenged riders across all classes. With nearly 100 riders racing throughout the night, grip became a constant talking point, but the track held together and produced great racing.
Pressure from the first gate drop
Practice and qualifying hinted at a wide open night. Walker looked sharp, while Bolt made a few uncharacteristic errors. When SuperPole came around, Bolt reset and delivered the fastest lap. Walker stalled in the final technical section and started the races from the back, a mistake that would cost him dearly.
From the opening race onwards, Bolt took control whenever he needed to. Clean starts and smart riding kept him at the front, while Walker was forced into recovery mode more than once, carving through the field and keeping the pressure high.
Mistakes, comebacks and big moments
The night was full of turning points. Walker fought back hard and claimed a key race win, while Bolt answered with consistency and control. Behind them, the battle for podium spots was intense.
The Brightmore brothers were right in the mix until a costly clash between Ashton and Mitchell ended their podium hopes. That moment opened the door for Eddie Karlsson, who stayed calm, rode smart, and finished the night with a breakthrough result for himself and for Stark.
Karlsson crossed the line unaware that the overall podium was his, making the moment even sweeter once the results were confirmed.
Strong performances across the classes
The Junior category belonged to Milan Schmuser, who controlled the class from start to finish. In Youth, local rider Wojtek Walczak lifted the Polish crowd with a confident overall win. The European class was led by Eric Miguel, who delivered two strong race victories for Rieju.
Season is on
Round one delivered exactly what fans hoped for. Big names, new stories, electric bikes on the podium and a reminder that nothing comes easy in indoor racing.
The season has started. And it’s already intense.
