Taddy Blazusiak (111), Cody Webb (2) and David Knight (101) battle for the holeshot in the first race. Photography by Future 7 Media
After coming close in the previous two rounds, RPM/FMF KTM rider Cody Webb finally succeeded in derailing the Taddy Train in the Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro Championship. Webb battled hard and rode to a 1-2-3 finish in Belo Horizonte, Brazil at the penultimate round of the series, although it wasn’t Blazusiak that he battled with. The reigning AMA EnduroCross Champion bested Jonny Walker and David Knight for the top spot, while Blazusiak had an uncharacteristically modest night.
“After getting so close numerous times for the overall victory it feels great to have finally got my first win in SuperEnduro,” said Webb.
In the first of three main events Webb fought his way to the front of the pack. The tight and technical track suited Cody Webb’s style, and he rode fast and smooth aboard his KTM 300 to take the win ahead of Walker, Knight and Blazusiak.
Cody Webb shows off his career-first FIM SuperEnduro trophy. Photography by Future 7 Media
The starting order was reversed for the second main, which made things a bit more difficult for Webb. Dani Gibert got out to the early lead with Walker close behind. It wasn’t long before Walker was able to position his factory KTM in the lead, and once in control, he never looked back. Walker took the second win ahead of Webb, who was able to wrestle his way into second place by the checkered flag, followed by Blazusiak in third.
With one win apiece for Webb and Walker, the gloves came off in the final race. Right off the start, the two quite literally locked bars as they raced for the lead, and with neither rider willing to back off, only one outcome was possible…
“We crashed in the first corner,” Webb explained. “I got going again but crashed a second time. Somehow I managed to claw my way back to third and it was enough for the overall.”
Although Walker also recovered quickly from the crash, he wasn’t quite as fortunate in the aftermath. He caught a trackside banner as he re-entered the race, which got caught up in his rear wheel. Walker needed help getting his bike free from the banner, but was then disqualified for receiving outside assistance.
After winning the second race, Jonny Walker was devastated to watch his potential overall win slip away. Photography by Future 7 Media
Meanwhile, it was Knight who got out front and led the charge. Blazusiak, who got out to a fifth-place start, rode patiently up to second place, and finished there for a third overall finish (4-3-2). Second overall went to Knight, who carded a 3-4-1 finish.
Although Blazusiak isn’t accustomed to finishing third, he wasn’t too disappointed about breaking his win-streak. His eye is fixed on a much bigger prize – the title.
“I knew the other guys were hungry to win and didn’t want to get dragged into the fight,” Blazusiak explained. “I set a pace for myself that I was comfortable with. I rode three good races and managed to still get on the podium. But most importantly, I’ve got a 42-point lead entering the final round in France.”
Walker, on the other hand, was very disappointed at the final outcome in Brazil.
“I’m gutted to have lost out on winning my first overall,” Walker said. “I’ve been really ill in the build-up to tonight and wasn’t at my best but still managed to get a good result in race one and then win race two. It’s been a bad end to what should have been a great night.”
American rider Ty Tremaine is one point away from the lead in the Junior division with only one round remaining. Photography by Future 7 Media
In the Junior category, the competition heated up between American rider Ty Tremaine and Andreas Linusson. They are only separated by one point after Linusson took the win at the penultimate round. Tremaine, the reigning AMA EnduroCross Junior Champion, will face off with Linusson at the finale in France on March 14 in a winner-take all championship match.
