Photo credits: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
The Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble has just celebrated its 25th-anniversary last week. The event is said to be one of the world’s toughest one-day hard enduro. The weather has proved to be an obstacle during the event as the riders were faced with huge puddles and extremely slippery conditions in the forest sections. Despite that, five-time champion Taddy Blazusiak managed to deliver a sterling performance to come in sixth place. The rider took his KTM 300 EXC TPI passed the chequered flag ahead of teammate Jonny Walker. Blazusiak is now ninth in the WESS championship standings. The next stop will be at the Hixpania Hard Enduro, Spain on June 21 to 23.
Photo credits: Motorcycle News
“I feel this is one of those results that doesn’t show how well I rode. I got together with Billy off the start then got stuck with the riders who fell on the first hill, so it was a tough, tough start to the race for me. So I felt good after that, and had good speed, but I knew I had a lot of work to do. It’s always hard to get through traffic here, but once you have some clear track ahead of you and are with the faster riders it’s a lot easier – you all ride the same lines and keep moving forwards. I gave my all and considering what happened at the start I’m pleased with sixth. Hat’s off to Graham for equalling the five wins,” says Blazusiak as quoted from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
“I’m happy to finish today as the race was very tough this year. I got a really good start but maybe pushed a little too hard early on. The faster sections and hill climbs took a lot out of my tyre and that made things a lot trickier later on. Physically I feel good, tired of course because perhaps after struggling a little on some of the hills I had to work a little harder. Eighth place is a good result, but it’s not where I want to be. There are a few things I want to work on before the next round of the WESS in Spain.”
Garcia came in 15th in the event. “Another year and another dream come true. I arrived at the finish with just three minutes to go – I was absolutely flat out through the closing section. On Green Hell, I teamed up with another rider to make the top and then after that I just pushed on as hard as I could for the finish. It’s hard to find words for how this feels, it’s my second year here and my second finish. I have got good points for the championship and I have come out of the race healthy, ready for the next race.”
Photo credits: Cycle News
Watson came in 22nd. “Erzberg’s been just as hard as I knew it would be. I got a great start, I think I was fifth early on through the first few check points. I faded back a little as things got tougher, but I knew that would happen. It was once I got to Carl’s Dinner that things started to get really tough for me. I went at it at a steady pace and I felt a lot better than I did last year, so I was really pleased with that. It’s just brutal. I worked together with a few riders to get through Green Hell and then onto Dynamite. I got further than I did last year, on a longer course, so I’m pleased with the way things have gone.”
“It was an amazing experience, really tough. I’m happy – I started well after a good start. I was fast through the woods but then I crashed twice in a difficult uphill. I damaged my bike a little there also, so I didn’t feel that comfortable after that. Before the refuelling I got stuck in some snow. About 15 riders passed me there and I used too much energy. Going through Carl’s Dinner was so hard because I used so much energy before that. But like I said I’ve enjoyed it, I completed Carl’s Dinner, and also I learned a lot. I feel my technical skills are good, but you use so much energy during the race.
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