Taddy's LA victory
By TMX Archives on 5th Aug 11
Starting the defence of his Endurocross championship in the best way possible, Taddy Blazusiak won the opening round of the 2011 series staged at the Staple Centre in Los Angeles, Califiornia, on Saturday night.
Claiming gold at the first ever X-Games Endurocross event, the Polish KTM rider was made to work hard for his result as he failed to qualify for the main event from his heat race, and was forced instead to qualify through the LCQ.
The second fastest rider during the pre-qualifying 'Hot Laps' session, Blazusiak was struck from behind soon after the start of his qualifier, 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 qualify for 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 pole position after only a handful of laps, before opening up a ten-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 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 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 series."
AMA ENDURO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rd 1 – Staple Centre, Los Angeles, Calafornia
OVERALL: 1 Taddy Blazusiak (PL - KTM), 2 Mike Brown (US - KTM), 3 Justin Soule (Kawasaki), 4 Joakim Ljunggren (S - Husaberg), 5 Geoff Aaron (US - Christini Honda), 6 Destry Abbott (US - Kawasaki), 7 Kurt Caselli (US - KTM), 8 Cody Webb (US - Beta), 9. Taylor Robert (US - Kawasaki), 10 Kevin Rookstool (US - KTM),...
NEXT ROUND: August 13 – Comcast Arena, Everett, Washington State.
