Las Vegas, NV– Red Bull/KTM Factory rider Taddy Blazusiak put together an impressive ride after charging to a podium finish after a dead last start. Fellow KTM rider, Mike Brown, finished 6^th overall.

Blazusiak and Brown started the day well finishing 1^st and 2^nd fastest in the timed hot laps. It was Brown who secured the fastest time with Blazusiak finishing 2^nd. Brown carried his momentum into the first heat race where he quickly put his KTM into the lead by the third corner. He led the heat race for three laps before a mistake in the matrix allowed Justin Soule to pass and takeover the position. Soule went on to win the heat while Brown earned 2^nd to secure a spot in the main event.

In heat number two, Blazusiak got off to a 3^rd place start and quickly moved into 2^nd by the end of the first lap. On lap two, he had a small crash in a deep sand corner that cost him one position. On the third lap he suffered another crash and was unable to make the passes he needed to transfer into the main and had to return to the track to try and qualify through the semi.

Blazusiak returned for the semi where he easily took the win and a transfer spot into the main event. “I had a rough heat,” commented Blazusiak. “Part was my fault for making small mistakes but we also realized we needed to make some adjustments on the bike. We got everything worked out and I was able to come back to the semi and take and easy win to ensure a spot in the main event.”

In the main event, Blazusiak had a bad gate pick and attempted to take the far outside line around the first corner. Unfortunately, he got pushed out causing his front wheel to hit the side barrier sending him over the bars. His luck worsened as his levers and bars got bent in the crash and he had to take a moment to adjust them. When he recovered he was nearly half a lap down in last place.

Meanwhile, Brown had a great start and completed the first lap in 2^nd place. On the third lap, he connected with another rider over the big tire jump which caused him to crash. He recovered in 7^th position. On the fifth lap of the race, Blazusiak had caught up to where Brown was and the two teammates battled for a lap before Blazusiak made the pass to take over 4^th place. Blazusiak then set his sights on the 3^rd place ride of Cody Webb and quickly reeled him in to take the podium position. With only a few laps to go, Blazusiak was indeed the fastest rider on the track but had run out of time to run down the leaders. He continued to run a strong pace through the checkered flag to take 3^rd place. Brown finished 6^th overall.

“Of course it is disappointing not to win,” commented Blazusiak. “People often say your race is won or lost in the first round, and the good thing is, I didn’t lose it today. A podium is still a good finish considering my poor start. My bike was set-up perfectly for the main event and I am really looking forward to getting another shot at a win at the next round.”

KTM had a great presence in the women’s class with the brand taking a complete podium sweep. The class was won by Factory FMF/KTM rider Maria Forsberg with 2^nd place going to RPM/KTM support rider Kacy Martinez and 3^rd place going to KTM support rider Louise Forsley.

The KTM brand took another win in the Vet class after Kurt Nicoll took an impressive victory over his Vet class competition that came down to the last obstacle on the course.

Next Event: Sacramento, CA – June 9, 2012

Overall Results –

1. Colton Haaker

2. Justin Soule

3. Taddy Blazusiak – KTM

4. Cody Webb

5. Taylor Robert

6. Mike Brown – KTM

7. Cory Graffunder

8. Kyle Redmond

9. Kevin Rookstool

10. Bobby Prochnau – KTM

11. Destry Abbott