10 Endurocross Title Within Taddy’s Grasp…
Taddy Blazusiak Media Service ‘10
US Endurocross, Rnd 5 preview interview, 25.10.2010
With a commanding lead at the top of the ’10 US Endurocross points standings KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak is looking to add yet another Endurocross title to his already impressive resume and will be gunning for victory at round five of the series in Denver, this coming weekend. The dominant rider throughout the opening four rounds of the series, Blazusiak is looking to continue his amazing season and hopefully claim win number five, as well as wrapping-up the championship one round early…
You said that the US Endurocross championship was ‘the big one’ as far as titles went this year, and what a year it’s been. Did you ever think it would go as well as it has?
Taddy: ‘At the start of the year I wanted to really try and win all races. But then when I broke my shoulder I realised that might not be possible. But things have gone almost perfectly during the Endurocross championship. I knew I would be competitive, but I didn’t expect things to go quite as well as they have.’
You’ve had four consecutive victories so far in the ’10 Endurocross championship, will you be going all out for another win this weekend or is getting the title wrapped-up all you’ll be thinking about?
Taddy: ‘I have a 35-point advantage but I’m not too worried about winning the next race. Winning the championship is always the most important thing, but of course I’ll be trying my hardest. I’d like to win but I can’t afford any risks. It’s the championship I’m after, anything else is just a bonus.’
You’ve had many memorable battles during the four rounds but which has been your favourite race?
Taddy: ‘It’s hard to say. I’ve enjoyed all of the races. I’ve felt like I’ve had the edge on the other riders and I knew coming into the championship that I’d worked hard to be ready. The thing I’ve enjoyed the most has been knowing that despite my shoulder problems that I was ready. Even after a bad start or a small mistake I knew I could push hard and still win. That’s a good feeling.’
The Indoor Enduro World Cup series starts as soon as the Endurocross championship ends. Are you looking forward to defending your IEWC title?
Taddy: ‘Sure, it’ll be great to get back to Europe and race with different riders on different tracks. Providing everything goes well during the final two Endurocross races I know I’ll be ready, and I’m confident that I can retain my title. I have to get the Endurocross title more than anything, but then it’s all about indoor races in Europe.’
You raced two Enduro World Championship events earlier in the year and surprised a few people with your speed. How did you find those events compared to what you’re used to?
Taddy: ‘I surprised myself at the GP of Italy. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t fully fit because it wasn’t long after my shoulder injury, but it went really well. I made a small mistake and started my bike too early one of the days, which you get penalised for, but I was close to finishing on the podium that day. I’m always looking to improve my speed and skills and racing EWC events helps me do that.’
Finally, the Indoor Enduro World Cup series will keep you busy from the end of November to the beginning of March, what are your plans after that?
Taddy: ‘Nothing is set just yet. I don’t feel like I need a break so I just want to keep on racing. Endurocross runs into the Indoor Enduro World Cup, which runs into some extreme races and then some national enduro races and the start of the EWC. I just want to keep racing.’
