The eagerly awaited four-stop X Games global tour gets underway in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil on Thursday April 18. And with ESPN bringing the action sports event live to a worldwide audience, it’s Enduro-X that’s set to grab the spotlight on the opening night.
Heading the long list of riders keen to take home gold is KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak. As the greatest endurocross rider of all time, Blazusiak needs little introduction. Reigning champion of both the AMA EnduroCross Championship and the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Blazusiak has his sights set on claiming an X-Games title – a trophy that would perfectly fill his already bulging trophy cabinet.
X Games is going to be amazing – it’s the platform endurocross needs to go global.
“I’ve been looking forward to this championship all winter – I can’t wait to get started,” said Taddy. “X Games is going to be amazing – it’s the platform endurocross needs to go global. And I want to do all I can to start the championship off with a win.”
But with 24 of the world’s best endurocross riders invited to take part in Brazil just qualifying for a place in the 10-rider 10-lap final will be a big ask.
“This is X Games and it goes without saying the best endurocross riders are here. All of them want to win. It’s going be a tough fight but I’m not here to take second place.”
A unique addition to the race in Brazil is that organisers have moved the course outside. Taking the race away from the confines of a small arena has allowed track builders to scale up the size of obstacles for Thursday night’s final.
“The track design will be new for everybody,” acknowledged Blazusiak. “Bringing the track outside means it will be bigger, bolder and faster than before. It’s going to be interesting to see what the racing’s like.”
It’s great to be here in Brazil ready for X Games – it’s time to get to work.
So how does a guy eyeing up an Enduro-X gold medal prepare for one of the biggest races of his season? By racing rally of course!
It’s been a busy time for Blazusiak. With a spare weekend in his hectic schedule the KTM rider grabbed an opportunity to take part in the opening round of the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship in Abu Dhabi. Although only intending to use the race in order to gain experience in rally, the Polish rider still placed a surprising seventh overall.
“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. 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.”
Now with his busman’s holiday behind him, Blazusiak gets down to the business of what he does best on Thursday night – endurocross.
“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 – it’s time to get to work”