Taddy BLAZUSIAK made it a winning start to his 2014 Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship with victory at round one in Liverpool’s Echo Arena.
Taking three wins from three starts, BLAZUSIAK convincingly put his KTM on the top step of the podium. Enjoying a successful start to his season, Manxman David KNIGHT (Sherco) finished as runner-up with Spain’s Dani GIBERT (Husaberg) completing the top three. Setting the fastest time in the Super Pole qualification, BLAZUSIAK secured an all-important first gate pick. With track conditions tough and technical, the KTM rider grabbed the all-important holeshot for Final #1. Quickly into second, KNIGHT gave chase and momentarily made a pass for the lead. Fighting back, BLAZUSIAK held his ground and retook the lead. Pushing hard for the final few laps, the Polish rider comfortably won the first race of the night. With KNIGHT finishing second, GIBERT was third. In the reversed start for Final #2, GIBERT capitalised on his front row start.
Passing early leader Kyle REDMOND (USA-KTM) on lap three, the Spaniard worked hard to keep a chasing BLAZUSIAK at bay. But with the KTM rider finding a better line through the water splash, BLAZUSIAK hit the front of the field and claimed his second race win. Holding off a late charge from Spain’s Alfredo GOMEZ (Husqvarna), GIBERT placed as runner-up to BLAZUSIAK with GOMEZ third.
Intent on securing a hat trick of wins in Liverpool – BLAZUSIAK holeshot Final #3. Comfortable out front, the Pole eased his way to victory. Bouncing back from fifth in Final #2 to take second place, KNIGHT secured the runner-up result on the night. Despite his seventh position in Final #3, GIBERT took the final step of the podium. With his 5-3-5 scorecard, GOMEZ placed fourth overall with Cody WEBB (USA-Beta) rounding out the top five.
In the SuperEnduro Junior category it was Manxman Jamie MCCANNEY (Husqvarna) that secured the top step of the podium. Despite Liverpool being MCCANNEY’s first taste of SuperEnduro racing he ended Final #1 in second before going on to win Final #2 and take the overall victory. Behind MCCANNEY, Sweden’s Andreas LINUSSON (KTM) was the surprise result of the night. Winning Final #1, LINUSSON placed fourth in Final #2 to finish as runner-up to MCCANNEY. Regrouping from a disastrous Final #1, Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI (KTM) was second in Final #2 and secured the third and final step of the podium. Poland’s Pawel SZYMKOWSKI (KTM) was fourth with Sweden’s Magnus THOR (KTM) fifth.
In the Women’s race it was pre-event favourite Laia SANZ (S-Honda) that eventually took the victory. Pressured hard by Britain’s Emma BRISTOW (Sherco) in the closing stages of the race, the Spaniard held her nerve and crossed the finish line as the winner. Impressing on her debut SuperEnduro race, Bristow was second with Jane DANIELS (GB-Husqvarna) recovering strongly from a bad start to take third. Spain’s Sandra GOMEZ (Husaberg) and Fionn GRIFFITHS (GB-KTM) were fourth and fifth respectively.