Superenduro GP of Hungary

Márk Szőke

Career

He has been riding motorbikes since he was five years old, and his first bike was bought by his father from Endre Botka, a national footballer. By his own admission, Márk was quite skilful from his first attempts, but racing was not on his mind at the time. The bike was later stolen, and the disappointed Márk was consoled by his father with a 50cc KTM racing bike. This launched a motocross career that lasted 18 years, during which time he won 13 championships.

Due to a lack of sponsors and in order to continue his studies, he switched to enduro-cross at the age of 23, then to enduro, and when Hungary hosted World and European championships, he tried his hand at superenduro and, after an initial failure, continued in this discipline.

“In 2019 I really liked the first superenduro race in Hungary, then I was invited to the first European Championship in Hungary at the Papp László Sport Arena, but I was eliminated at the beginning. That’s when I decided to build my own track in Gyál, and I’m training hard to prepare for the next domestic race,” said Márk Szőke, explaining the reasons behind his success.

Szőke Márk, Superenduro GP of Hungary 2023 - Fotó: MGR Images
Szőke Márk, Superenduro GP of Hungary 2023 - Fotó: MGR Images
Szőke Márk, Superenduro GP of Hungary 2023 - Fotó: MGR Images

By his own admission, the rider is not as talented as some of his rivals, but he has compensated for this with will and hard work. If something didn’t work out, he made it worse and trained with even more determination for hundreds of hours to overcome a single obstacle perfectly. He never shied away from big jumps, but rocky terrain was not one of his favourites. So he built such obstacles on the Gyáli course and practised tirelessly.

In 2022, he finished second in the European Superenduro Cup at the end of the season, having triumphed in two rounds during the year. In the same summer, he finished ninth in his category and 13th overall at the World Enduro Championships in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, the best result in the sport.

Péter Kátai, who finished 20th in the 2007 Dakar Rally, is helping him in his preparations. Ifj. László Kerner advises Márk Szőke on his physical preparation, who also uses his studies in athletics coaching at ELTE.

His role model father, János Szőke, is a tireless supporter of his and his wrestling brother’s careers. The two brothers have won a total of 36 Hungarian championship titles.

“He taught us humility and respect to represent our country and our name with honour,” says Márk Szőke of his father.

In 2023, Márk Szőke will compete in the Superenduro World Championship, making him the first Hungarian rider to compete in all three disciplines, motocross, enduro and superenduro.

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