Blazusiak Wins Boise Endurocross to Tie Championship Points
OutdoorHub 11.11.13
Red Bull KTM Factory’s Polish rider Taddy Blazusiak picked up his second victory on Saturday night in Boise Idaho at the penultimate round of the 2013 AMA EnduroCross Seriesto draw equal with Factory FMF/KTM rider Mike Brown in the championship points. Brown, who led the table before the race, was fourth on the night.
Brown got away well in the first heat but crashed in the first corner, then again in the wood chips moments later. He regrouped in sixth place, moved to fourth but finally finished in fifth and returned to the pits to prepare for the LCQ. Taddy took the holeshot in his heat and led the first lap before he tipped over and allowed Gary Sutherlin to make a pass for the lead. He recovered the lead in lap two and went on to pull a 14-second victory gap.
In the last chance qualifier Brown took the holeshot but fell again in the wood chips. He rebounded and began to chase down Kevin Rookstool in the lead. They were side by side in the final dash but both had difficulty in the wood chips. Brown was first out to take the win and transfer to the main event. The riders then lined up for their hot lap to determine gate pick order. Brown was second fastest and Blazusiak was fourth to set up a battle between the two KTM riders.
It was Brown who took the holeshot when the gate dropped but Taddy was right behind him. Then when Brown got stuck on a rock on the first lap both Blazusiak and Cody Webb slipped by. Blazusiak and Webb rode wheel to wheel as they battled for the lead then Webb edged out Blazusiak as they rounded the corner, knocking Blazusiak off the track. On the sixth lap, Webb also went down in the wood chips and Blazusiak closed up to take the lead. He then pulled away and was seven seconds in front at the drop of the flag.
Meanwhile, behind the leaders Brown stalled his bike with three laps to go and allowed Colton Haaker to make a pass. Brown recovered and went on to finish fourth. The two KTM riders now head into the final round at Las Vegas on November 23 with 130 points each, a 20-point advantage over Webb. Brown has scored more victories this season but Blazusiak, who has dominated the competition in recent seasons is looking to retain his title.
Overall Results –
1, Taddy Blazusiak – KTM
2, Cody Webb
3, Colton Haaker
4, Mike Brown – KTM
5, Justin Soule
Overall Point Standings –
1, Mike Brown – 130
2, Taddy Blazusiak – 130
3, Cody Webb – 110
