Sherco’s David KNIGHT has won the fourth round of the FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico. Returning to the top step of the podium following his victory at round two in Poland, the Manxman claimed the overall win in Mexico. Securing a 2-1-3 scorecard, KNIGHT edged out championship leader Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL -KTM) for the win by a single point. Enjoying his first podium visit of the season, Britain’s Jonny WALKER (KTM) was third.
Gelling well with the fast paced technical course, WALKER produced the fastest time in the SuperPole to take the first gate pick for Final #1. While WALKER opted to line up on the inside, it was BLAZUSIAK – from the far outside gate – that claimed the holeshot. Out front, the Polish rider was never headed and grabbed the first win of the night. Behind him, KNIGHT held off WALKER to secure second position.
In the reversed start for Final #2 it was local rider Homero DIAZ (KTM) that claimed the initial holeshot. But with BLAZUSIAK buried deep in traffic, KNIGHT was quick to capitalise and forced his way to the front of the field at the end of lap one. Holding off a determined charge from WALKER, KNIGHT took the chequered flag. BLAZUSIAK recovered strongly to take third while Sweden’s Joakim LJUNGGREN (Husqvarna) placed an impressive fourth.
With everything to play for in the third and final race of the night, it was France’s Mathias BELLINO (Husqvarna) that rounded the first corner in the lead. But a crash in the log pit on lap one dropped him back behind BLAZUSIAK and KNIGHT. Undeterred, he fought his way back past KNIGHT and then BLAZUSIAK to secure his debut SuperEnduro victory. Knowing third was good enough to ensure the overall victory, KNIGHT followed runner-up BLAZUSIAK across the line. Crashing in the first corner, WALKER battled his way up to seventh and claimed the third step of the podium.
In the Junior category the night belonged to Italy’s Giacomo REDONDI. Delivering a convincing double race victory, the Beta rider topped the Junior podium. Joining him on the rostrum, Mexico’s Didier GOIRAND (Husaberg) and Javier CASTRO (KTM) placed second and third respectively.
The FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship continues with the penultimate round of the series in Barcelona, Spain on February 9.