Cody Webb gives America a SuperEnduro win as KTM dominates the podium.
Cody Webb earned his first career FIM SuperEnduro win at round five of the FIM SuperEnduro Championship in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday night, as KTM riders occupied the top four positions in the Prestige Class.
Webb finished ahead of David Knight, SuperEnduro Championship point leader Taddy Blazusiak and Jonny Walker.
The evening started with Walker, Knight and Webb going one-two-three in the Superpole while Blazusiak crashed in the fire pit obstacle and came fifth. Walker then grabbed the holeshot in the first race, only to tangle with Knight, which allowed Webb to slip into the lead. While Walker and Knight remounted, Webb built a 20-second lead on the tight and technical track. Walker recovered to finish second ahead of Knight with Blazusiak fourth. The riders started in reverse order for the second of the three races with Walker once again taking the lead. Only this time he kept it, finishing ahead of Webb and Blazusiak.
Walker then high-sided in the first turn of the final race and crashed into Webb. Knight took advantage of the incident and grabbed the lead. He would go on to lead every lap. Blazusiak moved into second place after starting fifth, while Webb charged from last place to third. Walker’s night went from bad to worse when sucked a banner into his rear wheel. He was able to get it free, but he received outside assistance, resulting in a disqualification.
Webb was obviously happy with the win
“After getting so close numerous times for the overall victory it feels great to have finally got my first win in SuperEnduro,” Webb said. “Coming into the final race I was tied on points with Walker for the overall, but then we crashed in the first corner. I got going again but crashed a second time. Somehow I managed to claw my way back to third, and it was enough for the overall.”
Nevertheless, Blazusiak is on the verge of taking the title. His strategy was to stay out of trouble.
“I knew the other guys were hungry to win, and I didn´t want to get dragged into the fight, and so I set a pace for myself that I was comfortable with,” Blazusiak said. “I rode three good races and managed to still get on the podium. But most importantly I’ve got a 42-point lead entering the final round in France.”
Walker was disappointed after being close to his first overall victory.
“I’m gutted to have lost out on winning my first overall victory,” Walker said. “I’ve been really ill in the build up to tonight and wasn’t at my best but still managed to get a good result in race one and then win race two. It was all on the line for the overall in the final race and unfortunately I crashed with Cody in the first turn. I then got a trackside banner stuck in my wheel-–locking it up. I couldn’t get it out alone and outside assistance resulted in being disqualified. It’s been a bad end to what should have been a great night.”
In the Junior category the competition has narrowed to a two-way battle for the title with American Ty Tremaine and Andreas Linusson (both KTM) separated by only one point going into the final round.
The series wraps up in France at Cahors/Parc des Expositions on March 14, 2015.
FIM SuperEnduro Championship
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Results: February 28, 2015 (Round 5 of 6)
1. Cody Webb-KTM (1-2-3)
2. David Knight-KTM (3-4-1)
3. Taddy Blazusiak-KTM (4-3-2)
4. Jonny Walker-KTM (2-1-DNF)
5. Alfredo Gomez-Hus (6-6-4)
FIM SuperEnduro Championship Point Standings (After 5 of 6 rounds)
1. Taddy Blazusiak-272
2. David Knight-231
3. Cody Webb-227
4. Jonny Walker-218
5. Alfredo Gomez-173
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