Blazusiak Takes Win at Ontario EnduroCross

After an intense battle that lasted nearly the entire Main, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Taddy Blazusiak took the Main win at the Ontario Round of the AMA Geico Powersports EnduroCross Championship Series at Citizens Business Bank Arena. KTM teammate and series leader Mike Brown blasted into the first turn by half-a-wheel, to take the holeshot away from Lucas Oil/Rockstar Honda’s Colton Haaker, the Hot Lap gate pick winner.

Haaker and Blazusiak were side-by-side right behind Brown early in the race, followed by KTM’s Gary Sunderlin, American Beta’s Cody Webb and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert. Haaker and Blazusiak’s fierce battle allowed Brown to pull a small gap, before Haaker stalled his Honda, clearing the way for Blazusiak to focus on chasing down Brown.

Behind them, the fight for final podium spot remained extremely competitive, and the track’s challenging obstacles made it tough to stay on two wheels. Haaker went down hard after the woodchips, and would end the night in fifth, while Robert crashed in the flat rock section, but managed a fourth at the checkers. Webb was the beneficiary of the mayhem, moving into a comfortable 3rd place.

Brown continued to hold Blazusiak off for half of the race before being overtaken. Once passed, Brown would remain Blazusiak’s only challenger. Webb closed a bit on Brown as the race wound down, but was never a serious threat for the runner-up spot.

“It feels so good to be back on top,” Blazusiak said. “I have been working really hard and I am glad I was able to challenge for the win and take the victory. Mike is a tough competitor and it is good to always have someone push me.”

“I’m glad to be on the podium for my team, but of course, I would rather be on the top step,” Brown said. “Taddy and I were close today, and there are a lot of races left, so I need to work harder to get on the top step and maintain my points lead.” Brown holds a 72-65 lead over Blazusiak after three rounds, with Robert in third with 55 points.

While the water section created the biggest splash—except for the few times when riders jumped over the entire section–the rock garden was clearly the toughest segment, causing pile-ups in all classes.

Blazusiak, Brown and Haaker were all EnduroCross Heat winners earlier in the program.

Final results, Ontario EnduroCross, September 21, 2013:
1. Taddy Blazusiak – KTM (#1)
2. Mike Brown – KTM (#3)
3. Cody Webb – Beta (#2)
4. Taylor Robert – Kawasaki (#33)
5. Colton Haaker – Honda
6. Kyle Redmond – KTM
7. Gary Sutherlin – KTM
8. Cory Graffunder – Husqvarna
9. Justin Soule – Kawasaki
10. Geoff Aaron – KTM
11. Bobby Prochnau – KTM
12. Max Gerston – Beta
13. Wallace Palmer – Christini

Photography by Don Williams