It’s been a busy few weeks for KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak. Successfully completing his second ever rally event, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge where he placed seventh aboard his 450cc Rally Replica, the defending AMA Endurocross and FIM Superenduro champion now heads into one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year – X Games Brazil.
Marking the start of his Endurocross season, Taddy leads an all-star line-up of many of the world’s best enduro racers in Foz Do Iguacu. As a former X Games gold medallist Blazusiak is focused on securing yet more success, and putting the disappointment of his 2012 X Games campaign behind him.
One of only three European riders competing in Enduro X competition at the prestigious event, Taddy knows that competition for the podium places will be fierce. Alongside European FIM Superenduro regulars David Knight and Alfredo Gomez, US Endurocross competitors Geoff Aaron, Destry Abbott, 2012 X Games gold medal winner Mike Brown, Colton Haaker, Cory Graffunder, Kyle Redmond, Taylor Robert and Cody Webb will ensure a memorable start to the four-‐event 2013 X games tour.
Taddy arrived in Brazil fresh from his participation in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. With a brief opening in his competitive schedule allowing him to compete in Abu Dhabi, Taddy took the opportunity to further familiarise himself with the rally scene. With the goal of learning more about the all-important art of navigation, Taddy ended the event seventh in the motorcycle class, which was topped by teammate Marc Coma.
X Games event schedule 2013
Brazil, Foz Do Iguacu April 18 – 21, Foz do Iquacu
Spain, Barcelona May 16 – 19, Barcelona Olympic Stadium
Germany, Munich June 27 – 30, Olympiastadion
USA, Los Angeles August 4, Staples Center
Taddy Blazusiak: “I feel like I’ve not stopped jumping on and off planes in the last few weeks, but it’s great to be here in Brazil ready for X Games. With four X Games events this year, as well as an eight round Endurocross series, I have a lot of racing coming up, but I can’t wait to get started. X Games is going to be amazing, and I’ll do all I can to start with a win. There’re some great riders in the Enduro X event, and with the track being bigger and outdoors, which is a first, it’s going to be interesting to see what the racing’s like. Getting to race in a different country makes the event even more special.
“Competing in the Abu Dhabi Rally was great. It’s definitely not what I’m used to, but that’s the whole reason for doing the race – to gain rally experience. Rally racing is so different, and I have so much to learn, but I felt like the event went well for me. I had a few scary moments on some of the dunes on the opening day, so really decided to ease off after that. The rally was so different to what I experienced in Argentina last year, it was a real rally in the dunes”
X Games Brazil Enduro X Men’s Rider List
Taddy Blazusiak
Cody Webb
Taylor Robert
Mike Brown
Cory Graffunder
Kyle Redmond
Colton Haaker
Geoff Aaron
Ricky Dietrich
Gary Sutherlin
Destry Abbott
Bobby Prochnau
Max Gerston
Ryan Sandoval
Bryan Roper
Wally Palmer
Jack Field
Peter Weiss
Alfredo Gomez
David Knight
Antonio Balbi
Nielsen Bueno
Romulo Botrel
Rigor Rico
X Games Brazil Enduro X Women’s Rider List
Maria Forsberg
Chantelle Bykerk
Kacy Martinez
Tarah Gieger
Laia Sanz
Jolene Van Vugt
Rachel Gutish
Mariana Balbi
Marcella Gonclaves
Brunna Bartz
