2012 AMA EnduroCross Las Vegas Finale Results

Taddy Blazusiak Wins The Battles And War At Las Vegas EnduroCross

Fourth EnduroCross championship in a row for Blazusiak

Taddy Blazusiak is the 2012 Champion, Cody Webb took second and Taylor Robert finished third, and showing he could be a threat for the title in upcoming years – Photo: Drew Ruiz

KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak won both main events at the final round of the 2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series, presented by Lucas Oil. Blazusiak also clinched his fourth consecutive EnduroCross championship. Beta’s Cody Webb did everything he could to take away at least one win by battling Blazusiak during both mains, leading several laps and finished second both times out. Mike Brown took third in the first main event and Kyle Redmond took third in the second main.

Blazusiak beat out Webb to set the fastest time during the MVP Racing Hot Laps. Blazusiak set a time of 59:031 versus Webb’s 1:00:103. Brown was third with a 1:03.400.

Colton Haaker won the first expert heat race with a last lap pass on Brown and both went to the main event. Webb dominated the second heat race and Redmond came back from several mistakes to take second and a spot in the main. Blazusiak won the third heat over Monster Kawasaki’s Justin Soule. With the double main event format, the remaining riders move into two separate LCQ races. Taylor Robert won the first LCQ over Cory Graffunder and Jamie Lanza to earn spots in the main. Geoff Aaron won the second LCQ over his GEICO Honda teammate Kevin Rookstool and Beta’s Max Gerston to take the last spots in the main event.

Blazusiak took the holeshot in the first main event and that usually means it is over but Webb has proven to have the pace to challenge him this year. Webb passed both Brown and Blazusiak on lap two and led two laps. The crowd was on their feet as the two riders swapped the lead a few time on lap five and Webb kept it close until the end of the race. Webb made a big mistake and went down on lap six to allow Blazusiak to secure a safe win. Brown held second for the first few laps but then fell to third, where he ultimately finished. Geoff Aaron had a strong ride to move from ninth on lap one all the way to fourth. Soule was fifth, Haaker sixth, Graffunder seventh, Redmond eighth, Max Gerston was ninth, Jamie Lanza, Kevin Rookstool was eleventh. Taylor Robert crashed on the first lap and was credited with twelfth.

Cody Webb made a banzai run through the rocks on the last lap to try to blitz past Blazusiak – Photo: Drew Ruiz

The second main event was again a great battle between Blazusiak and Webb. Although Webb did not lead a lap, he did challenge Blazusiak and edged ahead of him in the extremely difficult rock section a few times and made a banzai run through the rocks on the last lap to try to blitz past him. Webb lost control and went down hard but remounted to finish second. Husqvarna’s Redmond had a great battle with Geoff Aaron for the final podium spot and the two riders banged bars on more than on occasion. Redmond ultimately took the position and Aaron held on for his second forth of the night. Brown got fifth, Soule was sixth, Graffunder was seventh, Robert eighth, Gerston ninth, Rookstook tenth, Haaker was eleventh and Lanza finished twelfth.

Blazusiak took his fourth GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship for KTM. Webb took over second in the championship with his strong night. Robert finished third and showed that he could be a threat for the title in upcoming years.

The MAVtv Junior championship was taken by Beta’s Max Gerston. It came down to a thrilling battle between Gerston, Ryan Sandoval and Bryan Roper fighting for the last spot into the main event in the LCQ. Roper had come into the race with a slim lead but a mechanical failure took him out of the race. Gerston ultimately made the main and his ninth place finishes in each race was enough to take the lead for the battle for riders twenty one and under.

The first ever Women’s class championship came down to the final race with KTM’s Maria Forsberg taking the win – Photo: Drew Ruiz

The First ever Women’s class championship came down to the final race with KTM’s Maria Forsberg holding a 10 point lead over US Women’s Trials champion, Louise Forsley. Forsley lead the race on the last lap but got hopelessly stuck in the rocks and Forsberg took the lead and win, which also secured the championship. Forsley recovered for second in the race and championship. Rachel Gutish finished took the final podium position in Vegas. Chantelle Bykerk finished fourth in the race, which was enough to take third in the championship.

For the support classes, the Las Vegas final serves at the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championship with a #1 plate awarded to the winner of each class. In the Vet 35+ Class Kurt Nicoll defended his title with the win over Jason Gitchel and Rob Farrington. Keith Curtis won the Open Amateur class with a last lap pass in the rocks. Ben Rego was second and Ty Tremaine was third. The TrialsCross class was won by Phil Smage over Eric Storz and Ty Tremaine.

Gary Sutherlin was among the riders that missed qualifying for the expert main event but got to go to the Baja Designs night race and the $500 bonus that came with it.

Source: EnduroCross

Taddy Blazusiak Wins 2012 AMA EnduroCross Championship

Taddy Blazusiak’s mistake-free ending to the first main event helped him earn the victory and clinch his 2012 AMA EnduroCross Championship – Photo: Drew Ruiz

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Taddy Blazusiak was crowned the 2012 AMA EnduroCross Championship after sweeping both mains in the Las Vegas double-header finale held at the Orleans Arena.

Blazusiak turned the fastest lap in the afternoon hot laps to earn first gate pick in his heat. He was placed in the third heat where he took the holeshot and led every lap to easily transfer into the main event. His teammate, Factory FMF/KTM rider Mike Brown, finished 2nd in his heat to also earn a top gate pick in the first main event.

When the gate dropped for the first main event it was Blazusiak and Brown out front early. The KTM riders led the pack for the first two laps before Brown made a mistake and dropped to 3rd. On the third lap Blazusiak got stuck in the rocks which gave Cody Webb an opportunity to pass for the lead. Blazusiak and Webb continued to battle for the next four laps swapping the lead each time through the rocks. With two laps to go, Blazusiak was able to pull a small gap as he led the way out front. Blazusiak’s mistake-free ending to the first main event helped him earn the victory and clinch his 2012 AMA EnduroCross Championship. Brown would join Blazusiak on the podium with a 3rd place finish.

Blazusiak shot off the start gate in the second main event to come around the first corner tied for the lead. He quickly moved his KTM out front and led the way around the first lap. Meanwhile, Brown didn’t have as good of a start and was sitting 9th after the first corner.

Mike Brown’s results in the Vegas finale helped him move to 4th overall in the championship point standings – Photo: Drew Ruiz

Out front, Blazusiak had a bobble in the rocks that allowed Webb to close the gap. Despite heavy pressure from Webb, Blazusiak did not buckle and continued to keep his KTM machine in the lead. The racing remained close and the battles kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as the race came down to the final rock section. Blazusiak found a clear line and smoothly raced through the rocks to go on to win the second main event of the night. Brown was able to successfully climb from his poor start into the top five to finish 5th overall. Brown’s results in the Vegas finale helped him move to 4th overall in the championship point standings.

“It was great to have Taddy return to defend his championship this year. We are happy he was able to clinch another championship. He and the team have worked very hard for this championship and it is a great ending to the year to take the number one plate again,” stated Team Manager Antti Kallonen.

Source: KTM North America

Maria Forsberg Crowned 2012 AMA Women’s EnduroCross Champion

Maria Forsberg and Louise Forsley had a tremendous battle for the lead, with the dreaded rock section playing a deciding role – Photo: Drew Ruiz

Factory FMF/KTM rider Maria Forsberg was crowned the 2012 AMA Women’s EnduroCross Champion after taking the win in the most exciting race of the season in front of the sold out crowd at The Orleans Arena.

Forsberg was 2nd off the start in the main event but suffered a crash in the tire section on the first lap that dropped her to 5th. It was fellow KTM rider Rachel Gutish who capitalized on the mistake and jumped into the lead. She led for a lap until Forsberg and KTM rider Louise Forsley began to push forward. Both girls were able to pass Gutish at the halfway point and began a tremendous battle for the lead. The crowd was on their feet as both girls were neck and neck heading into the final lap.

The dreaded rock section was an obstacle that the women only had to ride on the final lap and it proved to be the deciding factor in who would win this race. Forsley entered the rock section first but crashed early on. Forsberg came in on the outside and tried to get around Forsley. After struggling on the outside line she moved to an inside line choice that ended up taking her bike straight into Forsley’s. The two girls quickly untangled their bikes trying franticly to get going before the other. It was Forsberg who prevailed and climbed out of the rocks, through the fire pit and over the final tire to take the win. Forsley was able to finish 2nd and Gutish finished 3rd to complete a KTM podium sweep.

Forsberg’s win at the Las Vegas round secured her the 2012 title. She commented, “It feels so great to get this title. I have had an amazing season. To win an X-Games gold medal, go undefeated in the GNCC series and then come out and win this championship has just been amazing. I couldn’t do it without the support of my team, my family and my friends. I want to send a huge thank you out to everyone who helped me this year. It has truly been an incredible year.”

Source: KTM North America

Las Vegas Finale Overview And Point Standings

2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Las Vegas Finale Image Gallery (Click for full size images)

Pro Main Event Results – Race 1

1. Taddy Blazusiak
2. Cody Webb
3. Mike Brown
4. Geoff Aaron
5. Justin Soule
6. Colton Haaker
7. Cory Graffunder
8. Kyle Redmond
9. Max Gerston
10. Jamie Lanza
11. Kevin Rookstool
12. Taylor Robert

Pro Main Event Results – Race 2

1. Taddy Blazusiak
2. Cody Webb
3. Kyle Redmond
4. Geoff Aaron
5. Mike Brown
6. Justin Soule
7. Cory Graffunder
8. Taylor Robert
9. Max Gerston
10. Kevin Rookstool
11. Colton Haaker
12. Jamie Lanza

Final Pro Series Points Standings – ( Round 8 of 8 )

1. Taddy Blazusiak – 249 / 2012 Champion
2. Cody Webb – 179
3. Taylor Robert – 154
4. Mike Brown – 151
5. Cory Graffunder – 133
6. Justin Soule – 125
7. Kyle Redmond – 123
8. Colton Haaker – 123
9. Geoff Aaron – 111
10. Kevin Rookstool – 92
11. Gary Sutherlin – 73
12. Bobby Prochnau – 71
13. Destry Abbott – 69
14. Jamie Lanza 60
15. Max Gerston 42
16. Ryan Sandoval 36
17. Bryan Roper 35
18. Keith Sweeten 26
19. Ryan Rodgers 26
20. Wallace Palmer 25

Overall Results – Women’s Class

1. Maria Forsberg
2. Louise Forsley
3. Rachel Gutish
4. Chantelle Bykerk
5. Shelby Turner
6. Melissa Harten
7. Tatum Sik
8. Lexi Pechout
9. Nicole Madsen
10. Rily Ellinger
11. Sarah Whitmore
12. Kacy Martinez

Women’s EnduroCross Point Standings – ( Round 8 of 8 )

1. Maria Forsberg – 141 / 2012 Champion
2. Louise Forsley – 126
3. Chantelle Bykerk – 97
4. Kacy Martinez – 85
5. Rachel Gutish – 81
6. Lexi Pechout – 67
7. Nicole Madsen – 60
8. Nicole Bradford – 39
9. Shelby Turner – 32
10. Melissa Harten – 29
11. Tatum Sik – 27
12. Morgan Tanke – 26
13. Brandy Richards – 22
14. Tara Geiger – 14
15. Steffi Laier – 13
16. Deb Gilbert – 12
17. Elizabeth Bash – 12
18. Rily Ellinger – 11
19. Megan Blackburn – 10
20. Sarah Whitmore – 10
21. Veronica Martin – 9

Manufacturer’s Cup Points Standings – ( Round 8 of 8 )

1. KTM – 416
2. Kawasaki – 333
3. Husqvarna – 256
4. Honda – 232
5. Beta – 147
6. BTA – 74
7. Husaberg – 38
8. Yamaha – 36
9. Gas Gas – 26
10. Christini – 25
11. Suzuki – 10

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Filed in: Dirt Bike Racing News • Motorcycle News
Tagged with: amateur racing • Baja Designs • Ben Rego • Beta • Bryan Roper • Chantelle Bykerk • Cody Webb • Colton Haaker • Cory Graffunder • Eric Storz • FMF • Gary Sutherlin • GEICO • Geoff Aaron • Honda • Husqvarna • Jamie Lanza • Jason Gitchel • Junior EnduroCross Championship • junior racing • Justin Soule • Kawasaki • Keith Curtis • Kevin Rookstool • KTM • Kurt Nicoll • Kyle Redmond • Las Vegas • Louise Forsley • Lucas Oil • Maria Forsberg • Max Gerston • Mike Brown • Phil Smage • Rachel Gutish • Red Bull • Rob Farrington • Ryan Sandoval • Taddy Blazusiak • Taylor Robert • Ty Tremaine • women's motorcycle racing