 
Arena "Buzz"
Krakow breaks the records!
We are go! The FIM Maxxis SuperEnduro World Championship has returned,
and in incredible style, at Krakow's Tauron Arena. Packed with fans and with
an electric atmosphere… let's take a look back at a superb Polish GP.
New Record
The Tauron Arena and the Polish organizers "Sportainment" have
just entered the SuperEnduro history books by breaking the record for
"Most Spectators” with their hugely popular event. A title previously
held by Mineirinho (Brazil) and Palau Sant Jordi (Spain) in 2014 where
12,000 spectators were recorded. Indeed, the magnificent arena which holds
13 000 spectators, was sold-out long before Saturday night's opening round.
And when Przemek SZYMANSKI was asked if Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL - KTM)
retirement announcement had played a role, the director of Sportainment
refuted: "No! Before he announced his retirement, we had already sold
more than 10,000 seats … it had little effect on our sales and the
public's enthusiasm for the event. "
Mannequin Challenge
It's the latest social media trend, straight outta the USA: the Mannequin
Challenge! This challenge consists in being filmed whilst carrying out an
activity in a group, but keeping perfectly still whilst the camera pans
around. And on Saturday night, the SuperEnduro circus succumbed to
"peer pressure” and followed suit! For nearly three minutes, 13,000
people "froze”. Some riders like Colton HAAKER (USA - Husqvarna) and
Mike HARTMANN (D - Husqvarna) joined in, as well as the Maxxis Hostess and
the Cheerleaders... The video will be released soon on our social networks.
The Upstart
Every so often, a new youngster arrives in Juniors and takes everyone by
surprise! These include Pawel SZYMKOWSKI (PL - KTM) in 2013, Andreas
LINUSSON (S - KTM) in 2014, Manuel LETTENBICHLER (D - KTM) in 2015 and Luis
OLIVEIRA (P - Yamaha) last season. Kyle FLANAGAN (Sherco), who made a strong
impression in the first round by snatching victory from under Benjamin
HERRERA (CL -TM)'S nose in the first race, could be the next "young
upstart”. Despite a less successful second race (9th place), he still
managed to take 3rd place overall in Poland. Currently third in the Junior
championship, he is already a serious contender for the title.
Kyle FLANAGAN (RSA - Sherco)']
SONIK, The Guest of Honour
At the Krakow Grand Prix, in order to increase the Polish interest in
SuperEnduro, the organizers had found a top sponsor and 'Guest of Honour' in
the form of recent winner of the Dakar Quad class, Rafal SONIK! Very well
known in his home country, and throughout the world, the rider from the
"World's Biggest Rally Race" opened the evening with a speech,
which was greatly enjoyed by the assembled crowd. He also handed the
winner's trophy to Taddy BLAZUSIAK at the end of the night, along with a
bottle filled with sand from the Dakar!
Newbies Holding Their Own
There were many new faces on Saturday night for the opening round of the
season, both in Prestige and Junior. In Prestige, we take our hats off to
Pascal RAUCHENECKER (AUT - Husqvarna) who put up a great fight in his
SuperEnduro debut with a qualification for the Super Pole powered by
Akrapovic and a encouraging 8th place overall (9/7/13). Estonian Rannar
UUSNA (KTM), who was in the Top 10, and Diogo VIEIRA (P - Beta), 11th. In
the Juniors, the Frenchman Max VIAL (Husqvarna), who grabbed a good 3rd
position in the second race, and finished 7th overall. And Czech David
CYPRIAN (KTM - 8th) as well as Bulgarian Teodor KABAKCHIEV (KTM - 9th).
It's a daunting task to break into SuperEnduro but these riders have
succeeded in consistently putting the fight to some of the world's best and
this should boost their confidence for the next round in Germany in early
January.
Teodor KABAKCHIEV (BG - KTM) Pic: Denis GUNTHER
Diversity
Interestingly there were no Europeans on the Junior podium in Poland! With
Benjamin HERRERA (CL - TM), Blake GUTZEIT and Kyle FLANGAN (South Africa)
savoring the champagne. The South Africans really impressed, waiting for the
return of their convalescing compatriot Wade YOUNG (Sherco). SuperEnduro is
now a series with a great mix of "United Nations”... Russia (LEONOV),
Latvia (OVCINNIKOVS), Estonia (UUSNA, VALDSTEIN), Hungary (ZSIGOVITS), Chile
(the HERRERA brothers), Bulgaria with the promising KABAKCHIEV, and Norway
with the youngster MARTINSEN.
Add to that the many Brits, Germans, Poles and Spaniards, plus some
Portuguese, French, Italians, Americans, Swedes, Czechs, Slovaks and
Austrians and you have a superb span of 21 nations over 65 riders ... very
nice diversity!
A Fitting Tribute
What better way to retire from the SuperEnduro scene than at home after a
brilliant victory? This was achieved by six-time World Champion Taddy
BLAZUSIAK. In order to add even more magic to the evening, a joyous and
emotional tribute was paid to him after the final races. First of all by the
spectators who cheered him on throughout the evening and who chanted his
name during the podium. Then, by many friends and personalities like the
president of the PZM (Polish Federation) Andrzej WITKOWSKI, who presented
Taddy with jersey emblazoned with number one, as well as Rafal SONIK and his
bottle filled with Dakar sand. BLAZUSIAK also received a beautiful golden
helmet from Red Bull... little details that made this GP of Poland an
unforgettable experience that will remain forever engraved in the history
books of the discipline!
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