Blazusiak wins Endurocross opener

From Taddy Blazusiak Results Service

KTM Enduro Factory Team rider Taddy Blazusiak got his participation in the ’08 AMA Endurocross series off to a winning start by claiming victory at the opening round of the six-event championship held in Las Vegas.

Starting as the rider most expected to win aboard his 200cc factory KTM, Blazusiak had to endure one of the toughest nights of racing he’s ever experienced. Needing to compete in a heat race, a semi and then the LCQ before moving into the final, Taddy clocked up more laps around the technical Las Vegas course than any other.

“It’s great to have won, but man that was a tough night of racing," Blazusiak said. "I can’t believe how many laps I had to ride – it feels like I didn’t stop riding all night. And I can’t remember the last time I had such an eventful race.

“I was really starting to feel the pressure in the LCQ – I honestly thought that I might not make the final. My balls were hurting so much, I was tired, and I couldn’t ride properly. But I made it into the final, which was a huge relief."

Blazusiak's troubles started during the closing stages of practice where he suffered a blown rear shock. Then in his heat race the two-time Erzberg Rodeo winner suffered yet more suspension troubles, which resulted in a very heavy, and painful, landing over the log jump. Finishing third, Taddy was forced to compete in one of the semi races.

Forced to switch to a replacement set of suspension the Pole's troubles continued as he was hit from behind early in his semi race and sent crashing to the arena floor. Working his way back up towards the front of the race as he went to move into the lead he tangled with the race leader, which resulted in Taddy being stranded with another rider’s handlebars stuck in his rear wheel.

With just one-and-a-half laps remaining Taddy had no time to move himself into a qualifying position and was forced to compete in the LCQ race.

Despite being in considerable discomfort following his heat race, Blazusiak managed to do enough to finish first and secure himself a place in the final.

Forced to start on the extreme outside, fatigued, and struggling to compete at his best due to using a spare set of suspension the KTM rider opted to ‘let the rest go’ as the gate dropped for the final. Cutting back to the inside of turn 1 the Pole soon found himself in third and by mid-race had moved into the runner-up position.

Battling with Geoff Aaron, Taddy managed to move into the lead and despite getting stuck in the rocks during the closing stages of the race he held on to claim a hard fought and deserved win to take an early lead in the ’08 AMA Endurocross championship.

Round 2 takes place on Aug. 16, in Guthrie, OK.

Results
1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM Enduro Factory Team)
2. Geoff Aaron (Christini KTM)
3. Ricky Dietrich (Kawasaki)