Just riding around an EnduroCross track is difficult for even the best riders in the world. But racing against a field of riders that includes multi time champions in several different disciplines of motorcycle racing makes just qualifying for the main event a difficult task. Taddy Blazusiak has proven to be difficult to beat on an EnduroCross track but the field has closed the gap in 2012, leaving Blazusiak with two wins in four races. This means that the racing will likely be tight when the GEICO AMA EnduroCross series rolls into Denver this Saturday, October 6th.
Young Colton Haaker on the Lucas Oil / Rockstar backed Kawasaki proved he can beat the best by winning the Las Vegas opener but mistakes have kept him off the podium in the next three rounds and sitting in fifth in the championship. Mike Brown, the former Motocross champion won the X Games Gold medal and showed that he too can beat the best EnduroCross riders and is currently third in the points chase. And there is a long list of riders that are showing the potential to win in 2012.
Cody Webb was the 2010 AMA Trials Champion and he now has several EnduroCross podiums including a 2012 X Games Silver medal. He pressured Blazusiak into a mistake in Ontario to take the lead for a few laps and is on the verge of getting that first win. Webb is currently second in the points standings and that first win will likely lead to more, which means that Blazusiak may have his hands full.
Another rider showing great promise is Monster Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert. The 22-year old recently wrapped up the WORCS Championship and is now 100% focused on EnduroCross and is within striking distance in forth in the points standings. His Kawasaki teammate, Justin Soule got on the podium at the Ontario round in his first race back from injury and can challenge for the win. And Destry Abbott, the “semi-retired” veteran racer is a fan favorite that has made every main event so far in 2012 and currently sits in eighth place in the points.
Other riders to watch out for are Husqvarna’s Cory Graffunder and his teammate Kyle Redmond. Both have stood on the podium at EnduroCross events and thrive in extremely tough conditions. Graffunder earned a bronze medal at this year’s X Games. The GEICO Honda pairing of Geoff Aaron and Kevin Rookstool are also capable of winning and put their heart into every event
