Morgan takes the fifth

From WPSA

ASPEN/SNOWMASS, CO — Blair Morgan came into Tuesday’s Winter X Games 10 Snocross final the odds-on favorite, and though he faltered early, “Superman” proved he had what it took in the end as the WPSA PowerSports Snowmobile Tour legend won the 15-lap race and, in the process, made history.

Morgan (Blair Morgan Racing Team/Ski-Doo), who spent the early part of this season recovering from a severely broken thumb suffered in pre-season testing, won his fifth Winter X Games Gold medal and became the first athlete in history to win five gold medals in one discipline.

Levi LaVallee (TEAM Industries/Polaris), who had dominated much of the race, finished second, earning his first Winter X Games silver medal. Ross Martin (Judnick Motorsports/Polaris) finished third and won a bronze medal, also his first in Winter X Games competition.

LaVallee took the lead from Robbie Malinoski (Olah Racing/Arctic Cat) on lap 2 and built what appeared to be an insurmountable margin in the event, which was the longest in Winter X Games history. Meanwhile, Morgan, who had fallen back at the start, began his crawl through the field. On lap 11 Morgan took second from Martin, and set sail for LaVallee, looking for an opportunity. That chance came just before the finish line on lap 14. LaVallee bobbled, and went off. While righting his sled, Morgan flew past LaVallee, taking the lead and the victory.

“I didn’t get the best start; Ross and I really battled at the line,” said Morgan, who also won gold medals in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, as well as silvers in 1999 and 2000, and a bronze in 2004, bringing his Winter X Games medal total to eight. “Levi had the holeshot and he was gone. I just settled into second. Then, near the end, the track really began to get gnarly, so I started going around the outside. I couldn’t believe he was on the ground at the end.

“This is a good win,” added Morgan, who, at 30, was the oldest rider in the field. “Coming from mid-pack to win is great. I didn’t give up and it feels good.”