Image: Supplied.

Billy Bolt has made history by becoming the first-ever Hard Enduro world champion, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider claiming the title at season finale GetzenRodeo in Germany.

In a thrilling end to the inaugural season of being recognised with FIM world championship status, the title went down to the wire between Bolt and Manuel Lettenbichler (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

Lettenbichler was ultimately victorious in the GetzenRodeo, which meant Bolt needed to finish second place or better to claim the crown. Bolt finished the event in second, drawing equal on points with Lettenbichler and was crowned champion on countback.

“World champions!” Bolt exclaimed. “What an amazing feeling it is. It’s going to take a while to process this one. I can’t believe I’m the FIM Hard Enduro world champion. It was a heck of a race today. We all knew what we had to do, and we made it happen. I rode great this morning in the qualifier, but I hurt my finger.

“I was struggling a little with that in the beginning of the race and made a lot of mistakes early on. But I settled myself, regrouped and recovered. When I got back up to second, I closed the gap to Mani [Manuel Lettenbichler] to one minute, but didn’t want to risk anything.

“Riding into the finish line as the world champion was such an amazing moment. It’s been a great year and I can’t thank all of the team enough for their support. We did it!”

With both the FIM Hard Enduro and EnduroGP series now complete, riders and teams turn their attention to the opening round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, taking place in Poland on 4 December.