Blazusiak wins inaugural X Games Endurocross

Starting the defence of his Endurocross championship in the best possible way, Taddy Blazusiak has won the opening round of the 2011 series staged at the Staple Centre in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Claiming gold at the first ever X Games Endurocross event, Blazusiak had to work hard for his winning result as he failed to qualify for the main event from his heat race, forced instead to qualify through the LCQ race.

The second fastest rider during the pre-qualifying ‘hot laps’ session, Blazusiak was struck from behind soon after the start of his qualifying race, which dropped him to the back of the field. Battling his way back up to third, Taddy was forced to race the LCQ – a race he had to win in order to make it through into the main event. Thankfully a strong ride saw him pass into the main.

Cautiously making his way through the opening lap, Taddy quickly set about working his way into the lead. Feeling the best he had all night, he moved into the #1 position after only a handful of laps before opening up a 10 second advantage at the head of the race, claiming a well-deserved and hard fought victory.

Taddy: ‘Winning is exactly the result I wanted but it was a seriously tough night. The main event went really well, and the night started well, but my qualifying race was a disaster and having to ride the LCQ wasn’t something I was planning on doing either. I got the second fastest time during the hot laps session, which I was happy with. I made a few mistakes but it went well. I got a great start in my qualifying session then got hit from behind on the first log section, which put me right at the back of the pack. I had a wild couple of laps after that but then got things together and started to put some good lap times together. But I got third and had to go to the LCQ because the qualifying procedure was a little different to normal. That race went well but I got a really bad pick of the gate in the main event. I saw a gap in the first turn of the main and went for it off the start, which moved me up to about fourth or fifth. At the end of the first lap I was third. I felt like I was riding well then and pushed hard. I worked my way into the lead and really enjoyed the second half of the race. The event was awesome, but hard work. Riding the 350cc four-stoke worked out great, I loved it. I have to head back to Poland now, just for a few days, but will soon be back in the States for the second round of Endurocross.’

Results – Enduro cross 2011, Rnd 1

1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2. Mike Brown (KTM)
3. Justin Soule (Kawasaki)
4. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg)
5. Geoff Aaron (Honda-Christini)
6. Destry Abbott (Kawasaki)
7. Kurt Caselli (KTM)
8. Cody Webb (Beta)
9. Taylor Robert (Kawasaki)
10. Kevin Rookstool (KTM)