Billy Bolt will sit out the 2026 Roof of Africa as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. The Husqvarna Factory Racing rider underwent surgery last week and, following medical advice, will miss Round 6 of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship in Lesotho.
The priority is now a proper recovery rather than rushing back into competition. Bolt’s condition will be reassessed before Sea to Sky in Turkey on October 8–10, with the hope that he can return for the final part of the season.
Another Setback in a Difficult Season
Bolt returned to racing in August after an earlier injury layoff and currently sits fifth in the 2026 HEWC standings. His outright speed has remained clear since coming back, but injuries have made it difficult to build consistent race fitness across the full championship distance.
Missing Roof of Africa is another blow, especially with only a few rounds remaining, but both rider and team have made it clear that there is no benefit in forcing a return before the knee is ready.
Bolt: “There’s No Point Rushing Things”
Billy Bolt: “Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to race the Roof of Africa this week. I had surgery on my knee last week, so it’s just about taking the time now to recover properly and get things moving in the right direction. Obviously, it’s frustrating to miss another race, but there’s no point rushing things. We’ll see how the next couple of weeks go and reassess the situation before deciding on the next step. Hopefully, I can get back to feeling good and finish the season on a positive.”
Husqvarna Prioritises Recovery
Husqvarna Factory Racing Enduro Team Manager Fabio Farioli confirmed that the team will continue monitoring Bolt’s progress before making a decision on his next race. For now, the focus is simply on allowing the knee to recover properly.
Fabio Farioli: “It’s unfortunate that Billy won’t be able to race the Roof of Africa this week, but his health and recovery have to come first. He had surgery on his knee last week, so now the focus is on giving him the time he needs to recover properly, without rushing the process. We’ll continue to monitor his progress and reassess the situation before making any decisions about the next race. We wish Billy a smooth recovery and hope to see him back on the bike when he’s ready.”
