Knight Wins Big In Poland
Dabvid Knight (GB-Sherco) secured the overall win at round two of the FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship in Poland. Edging out home favourite Taddy BlAzusiak (PL-KTM), Sherco mounted KNIGHT topped the podium inside the Atlas Arena. With Blazusiak second, Spain’s Dani Gibert (Husaberg) placed third.
In the Junior class Italy’s Giacomo Redondi (KTM) claimed the overall victory while Britain’s Jane Daniels (Husqvarna) delivered a winning performance in the Women’s class.
With an estimated 9000 spectators filling up the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland for round two many wondered if Blazusiak could continue his winning ways from round one.
As tension built in the lead up to Final #1, it was Knight that was fastest out of the starting gate. Immediately putting his Sherco at the front of the field, Knight pushed hard to build a lead as rival Blazusiak was buried deep in traffic. Comfortably stretching his advantage as the race progressed, Knight eased off on the final lap to secure his first win of the series. Second fastest in Super Pole, Husqvarna’s Mathias Bellino (F) was determined to show he’s much improved since round one of the championship. Battling with Beta mounted Danny McCanney (GB), the Frenchman finished as runner-up to Knight. Looking sharp and fast on his Beta, McCanney followed Bellino home for third. Fighting his way through traffic, Blazusiak worked his way up to fourth with Dani Gibert (Husaberg) completing the top five.
With the start order reversed for Final #2 it was the USA pairing of Kevin Rookstool (KTM) and Kyle Redmond (KTM) that came out on top as both Knight and Blazusiak fought their way inside the top ten. On lap six the lead changed hands as Gibert took control of proceedings. Remaining mistake free, the Spaniard secured the race win. Working his way past Kornel Nemeth (H-KTM) as the race passed the halfway point, Alfredo Gomez (Husqvarna) hung on to take second with Nemeth delivering his best performance on the night for third. With Joakim Ljunggren (S-Husqvarna) and Jonny Walker (GB-KTM) completing the top five, Knight ended his race just one second adrift of Walker in sixth.
Yet to take a race win on home turf, all eyes were on Blazusiak as the Prestige class lined up for Final #3. Grabbing the holeshot, Blazusiak led the opening lap until Bellino capitalised on a mistake by the Pole, jumped level with him, and took over the race lead. Regrouping, Blazusiak battled his way past the Husqvarna rider to take the race win. With Bellino slipping back to fourth, Knight held off third placed Walker for second to secure the overall victory in Poland. Disappointed to miss out on a winning performance in Poland, Blazusiak ended his night as the runner-up with Gibert rounding out the top three.
In Junior Final #1, Italy’s Giacomo Redondi (KTM) was the rider to beat. Enjoying an intense battle with Britain’s Jamie McCanney (Husqvarna) and Poland’s Pawel Szymkowski (KTM), Redondi secured the first race win of the night. With Redondi topping Final #1, McCanney held off Szymkowski to place as runner-up. Determined to claim a perfect night in Poland, Redondi quickly fought his way to the front of the field for the reversed start Final #2. But with McCanney in close pursuit he couldn’t afford to relax. Holding off the Manxman, the KTM rider recorded his second win of the night. Ending his race just one second behind the Italian, McCanney placed second with Szymkowski taking third.
In the Women’s class it was Brit Jane Daniels (Husqvarna) that secured the top step of the podium. Third overall at round one, Daniels was determined to take advantage of championship leader Laia Sanz (Honda) absence and claim a winning result. Second to Sandra Gomez (Husaberg) during the morning qualification, the Husqvarna rider came out swinging in Poland and won the six-lap final. With Gomez chasing Daniels home for second, the battle was on for the final step of the podium as USA’s Louise Frosely (KTM) beating Emma Bristow (Sherco) to take third place.
The FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round three in Brazil on January 18th 2014.
