Taddy Blazusiak Opens 2010 GEICO EnduroCross Series with a win in Las Vegas!
Two Stroke Machines finish 1st and 2nd!
Las Vegas, NV (July 17, 2010) – Taddy Blazusiak, the defending EnduroCross champion rode his Red Bull KTM to a hard fought victory over Geico, Christini backed Geoff Aaron. Zip Ty Husqvarna mounted Cory Graffunder came out on top of a dog fight for the final podium spot over FMF KTM’s Mike Brown and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Justin Soule.
Shotmaker Productions video of the race.
http://shotmakerproductions.com/ShotMaker%20Website/site/exws10_rnd1.html
Aaron, the ten time National Trials champion got the day started by setting the fastest time during the Pioneer Hot Lap that determine the gate picks for the evenings heat races. He also earned a $500 bonus from Rekluse clutch by being the fastest rider using their auto clutch. Mike Brown and Cody Webb, one of the top American Trials riders showed that he is quickly learning how to race EnduroCross by posting the third fastest time.
Blazusiak, Brown and Graffunder were the heat race winners and earned the best gate picks for the main event. The biggest surprise of the night was the fact that Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich, the 2008 EnduroCross champion, did not qualify for the main after crashing while in a qualifying spot during the Last Chance Qualifier. He was joined on the sidelines by Lucas Oil backed Colton Haaker, last year’s E3 Spark Plugs Junior Champion that also had a very rough evening.
Blazusiak earned the $750 Girardi Wealth management holeshot award but was quickly passed by Geoff Aaron. The two riders swapped the lead several times during the first half of the race until Aaron made a small mistake and fell over in the GEICO rock garden. That gave Blazusiak a small lead that he managed hold for the remainder of the race. The battle for third included Graffunder, Brown, Soule, Gary Sutherlin, Kyle Redmund, and Cody Webb. Webb appeared to have the final podium spot under control before crashing in the Monster water hole and then Graffunder temporarily handed the position away but fought back to get on the podium. Brown rode a steady race to earn forth position ahead of Soule. All of these riders had a shot at the podium and provided some great racing action for the enthusiastic crowd.
2010 Las Vegas EnduroCross Expert Class results:
1. Taddy Blazusiak KTM
2. Geoff Aaron Christini KTM
3. Cory Graffunder Husqvarna
4. Mike Brown KTM
5. Justin Soule Kawasaki
6. Gary Sutherlin Kawasaki
7. Kyle Redmond Kawasaki
8. Jamie Lanza Kawasaki
9. Destry Abbott Kawasaki
10. Cody Webb Gas Gas
11. Kevin Rookstool KTM
The GEICO EnduroCross series presented by E3 Spark plugs now heads to Guthrie Oklahoma for round two on August 14th.
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Comments
By Chris2T on July 20th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Lest there be any doubt of what Taddy was up against with Geoff Aaron, Aaron was riding the Christini All-Wheel-Drive KTM 450-XCW
By JohnNicholas on July 20th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Are you sure Geoff was on a 450?? It looked like a two-stroke to me!
By Chris2T on July 20th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
John can you delete my comment, i am wrong about that and i clarified it on the forum.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on July 20th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Geoff Aaron rides a nearly stock KTM 300XC. The only mod is the Christini AWD. You can see how easy it is to ride the light 2-strokes in the rocks compared to the guys struggling on 4-strokes.
By Sachsgs250 on July 20th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
It is fantastic to see a local rider, Cory Graffunder,doing so well!
By sdcaro on July 21st, 2010 at 12:23 am
Finally, a chance for the two-stroke to shine at a professional level. With the FIM killing the last two stroke class in GP road racing after 2011, this series may be the last hope we have for the two stroke at a professional level.
By eprovenzano on July 21st, 2010 at 9:28 am
EnduroCross without the stupid AMA cc rules, allows you to run what you brung. The results show the smoker is a viable option. I for one like to see both smokers and strokers mixing it up. I cannot imagine muscling a heavy stroker around that course, when they have the option of riding a smoker. Well at least the KTM boys do, as the other MFG’s are pushing the strokers. I’m not familiar with the rules regarding the bike’s other an no trails bikes or trials tires allowed, but maybe we’ll see a TM, GasGas, Maico, or the new Husky in the mix..