Blazusiak Dominates World Indoor Enduro in Spain

Shan Moore | February 7, 2011

After a disappointing start to the series at the opening round in Italy, Taddy Blazusiak redeemed himself with a spectacular performance in Spain, winning all three finals en route to the overall win at round two of the FIM Indoor Enduro World Championship series. It was a commanding performance by the Polish off-road star, and the victory vaulted him into the lead in the series standings.

Blazusiak made none of the costly mistakes that prevented him from winning in Genoa, and instead, delivered a near perfect display of riding, the KTM factory off-roader coming from behind in each case to take three easy wins.

“Winning each of the three finals is more than I was hoping for here in Barcelona, but it turned out to be a great night for me,” said Blazusiak. “Coming into the event I was third in the championship having hurt myself in Genoa so I had some work to do. I didn’t ride at all during December because of injuries I picked up in Genoa, so I’ve been training hard throughout January and things worked out well. My fitness was really good and I was able to push hard to the end of the three finals, which I think really helped me towards the end of the races. The finals were long so I took my time a little bit and ran at a pace I knew I could maintain. I made a few little mistakes and had to pass some riders during all of the finals but once I was out front I was able to pull away and keep out of trouble. I’m leading the championship now so with the final round in a few weeks I’m just going to keep training hard and then give the final race my all to try and win the Indoor Enduro World Championship title.”

Making his debut on the KTM 350, David Knight finished second overall on the evening, claiming two seconds and a third in the three finals. The reigning E3 World Champ was fastest in the training rounds and winner of the first qualifier. Meanwhile, Husaberg rider Joakim Ljunggren rounded out the overall podium in third after going 3-2-5 in the three finals.

“My main goal was to give the new 350 enduro bike a successful debut, and I think I did that,” said Knight. “Qualification went really well and I managed to set the fastest time. That not only showed how good the bike is but also showed that my speed is where it needs to be even though this is a one off indoor ride for me. I always knew that the three seven lap finals were going to be tough, which they were. Taddy had a little too much pace for me so I just tried to race my own race each time. The track was really physical so it was important to not make mistakes and waste energy. The second final was the hardest and I made a few mistakes. But the third final was good, and I enjoyed it. All in all it’s been a really good night for both the new 350 and myself. “

It was not a good night for World Champions Iván Cervantes (Gas Gas) and Juha Salminen (Husqvarna) who suffered mechanical problems and failed to make the main event.

American Cody Webb was a respectable 13th overall, after finishing eighth in the second final.

The series concludes on March 5th with the series finale in Portugal.

Results – 2011 Indoor Enduro World Championship, Rnd 2, Barcelona

Final 1

1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7.14:428; 2. David Knight (KTM) 7.32:795; 3. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 7.40:132; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 7.45.255; 5. Jonny Walker (KTM) 7.49:675; 6. Graham Jarvis (Husaberg) 7.53:048

Final 2

1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7.21:456; 2. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 7.38:651; 3. David Knight (KTM) 7.47:067; 4. Graham Jarvis (Husaberg) 7.51:648; 5. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 7.53:893; 6. Cristobal Guerrero (KTM) 7.55:596

Final 3

1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 7.13:497; 2. David Knight (KTM) 7.33:956; 3. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 7.48:773; 4. Mika Ahola (Honda) 7.54:799; 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 7.55:675l 6. Cristobal Guerrero (KTM)7.59:273

Championship standings – 2011 Indoor Enduro World Championship

1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 103; 2. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 86; 3. Mika Ahola (Honda) 73; 4. Alfredo Gomez (Husaberg) 5. Graham Jarvis (Husaberg) 57; 6. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 55; 7. David Knight (KTM) 48

Shan Moore | Contributing Editor

Moore covers all facets of off-road racing for Cycle News – from AMA Supercross and Motocross to GNCC and National Hare Scrambles events.