By Coinciding with IRRC Schleiz, Barry Sheene Festival meets, the second round of this year’s European Hill Climb Championship hosted in Austria (Julbach course) saw Maurizio Bottalico make a sterling return to roads scene competition.
Bottalico, who sustained in April multiple injuries from a nasty high-side incident at Landshaag, showed true grit, raw determination at Julbach.
Close to just two months after early season challenges, the Manx GP podium finisher due to ride in August for World Supersport team Motozoo Me Air Racing, was back to race winning form, claiming victories x4 from the timed Superbike, Supersport contests.
Nearest to Bottalico’s pace in the SBK time-trials was Thomas Altendorfer, the fastest Austrian pilot at Dymokury and Stare Mesto, thanks to Jan Vavra for this information.
Altendorfer has now taken a 16-point lead over Salvatore Sallustro, in the race to become 2024 European SBK Hill Climb Champion.
Outside four-stroke action, Julbach hill-climb racing also proved momentous for Bernhard Hormann, Daniele Stolli, Guido Testoni, capturing respective Supermoto, Supersport 300, 250 GP (Grand Prix) victories.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
