Fourth US podium for Taddy
By TMX Archives on 7th Oct 09
US Endurocross series points leader, Taddy Blazusiak, has claimed his fourth consecutive podium result, this time finishing second in Columbus, Ohio. Winner of the opening three rounds of the series, the KTM Factory rider once again dominated the ‘Hot Lap' qualifying session, where he placed comfortably ahead of his closest rival.
Passing through his heat race after falling at the first turn, Blazusiak was undoubtedly the fastest rider in the main event, but was unfortunate not to win.
After getting caught up in the first corner, the Polish rider then tangled with another rival mid-way around the opening lap, while ten-time AMA National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron took the lead.
Quickly into his rhythm, Taddy worked his way up to and past Aaron before a mistake in the ‘Wood Pile' section dropped him back to second again.
With only a few laps remaining Taddy caught back up to Aaron but was unable to pass his rival. Nevertheless, he still holds a healthy advantage in the series points standings.
Taddy: "Although I would have loved to have won again, I'm more than happy with my performances and result from Ohio. It was bad luck rather than bad riding that cost me the victory. My goal at the start of the series was to be on the podium at every race – and so far I've done that.
"In the main event I got a reasonable start but then got hung up in the first corner. I got caught up with someone on the first lap and was in about fourth or fifth. I managed to work my way into the lead but caught a log in the ‘Wood Pile' section, which brought me down. I was able to catch back up to Geoff but I just ran out of time to pass him.
"Like I said I'm more than pleased with finishing as runner-up. I can't wait until the next round of the championship now.”
AMA ENDUROCROSS SERIES
Rd 4 – Columbus, Ohio
OVERALL: 1 Geoff Aaron (Christini KTM), 2 Taddy Blazusiak (KTM), 3 Colton Haaker (Kawasaki), 4 Damon Huffman (Kawasaki), 5 Patrick Smage (KTM), 6 Cory Graffunder (Husqvarna), 7 Mike Brown (KTM), 8 Gary Sutherlin (Husqvarna), 9 Kyle Redmund (Yamaha), 10 Ricky Dietrich (Kawasaki), 11 Jason Raines (Yamaha).
SERIES STANDINGS after 4 rounds: 1 Blazusiak 115 points, 2 Aaron 91, 3 Huffman 73, 4 Graffunder 71, 5 Colton Haaker 68, 6 Brown 63, 7 Redmond 56, 8 Jamie Lanza 47, 9 Dietrich 36, 10 Gary Sutherlin 32.