11. February 2013
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Taddy Błażusiak, riding an Akrapovič-outfitted KTM, triumphed in the second race of this year’s SuperEnduro world championship.
The second race of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, an indoor enduro motorcycle series, took place in Barcelona. There were several familiar faces among the competing riders, including enduro world champions Antoine Méo and Iván Cervantes, but the specialists in extreme conditions proved that you need “super-knowledge” to win a SuperEnduro race. After his shoulder and arm surgery right before Christmas, this was the first serious test for Taddy Błażusiak, who won the last race in his hometown of Łódź. Even though he said he wasn’t 100% ready, he beat the competition with two wins and one third place.
“Winning the first and the third final made it a great night,” commented Błażusiak happily after the race. “I don’t like the reversed start order that’s used in the second final—it’s dangerous that the fastest riders get the last pick for the start—and I crashed early in that race. But I was also pleased with how I rode in that final—I took my time and ended up third. Like always, starts were super important and my starts were good. My bike really is amazing off the start and in the first final I got such good traction I was in the first corner before I knew it. Being almost 30 points ahead in the championship takes a little pressure off for the final in France. But I want to try and get the same result I have in Poland and Spain.”
After three heats, David Knight (Honda) was second overall, and Alfredo Gómez, riding an Akrapovič-outfitted Husaberg, was third. KTM enduro rider Antoine Méo was third in the first heat, but had to withdraw from the second heat due to a fall.
Before the final round in France, Błażusiak is at the top of the overall standings, with the same number of points as his start number (111), ahead of Knight (82) and Walker (81).
Photo: Edmunds J. KTM Images