VOLUME 56 ISSUE 44 NOVEMBER 5, 2019 P51
the podium. It was such a long,
tough race today, and it's been
such a long season. To finish the
year with a first place in front of
my home fans would have been
amazing, but to win the champi-
onship as well is unbelievable. I'm
on top of the world right now.
"My plan for today in both races
was to get away well and try to
control the race from the front. I
was a little nervous in this morn-
ing's race, but thankfully it all went
to plan. I was honestly exhausted
in this afternoon's race—I couldn't
have given any more. When Taddy
passed me, I knew I had to dig
deep and carry on, and thankfully
I managed to get past him again
and make it to the finish."
"I'm very happy for myself and
the team," Gomez said. "I feel a
little sorry for Taddy, but I actually
damaged my bike on lap two, and
that meant I had a disadvantage
for the rest of the race. I had a
few crashes, but I think the race
was tough on everyone—it's so
physical, and the terrain is so
technical, there is no time to
rest at all. That and the fact that
everyone else is pushing as hard
as they can makes it really, really
tough. I'm really pleased with my
result and so happy with second
in the championship—it's what we
were aiming for, and it makes all
the hard work worth it."
"It was a really tough race
today, I enjoyed it, but I'm a little
disappointed not to get second in
the championship," Walker said.
"I had a good ride this morning,
I just stayed consistent and tried
to conserve some energy. This
afternoon I really tried my best,
but it wasn't quite good enough.
Nevertheless, if you'd offered
me third overall at the start of the
year, I would have taken it. I have
struggled all year in the extreme
stuff, but I know what I need to
work on, and with a good winter
to get back to 100 percent."
"I've enjoyed the race and rode
my heart out, only to lose out just
at the end," Blazusiak said. "It's
racing, I know, but it seems I get
a little more bad luck than others.
I'm pleased with how I rode—the
race was a little up and down, but
to catch 'Mani' near the end and
take the lead was fantastic. I was
really pushing as hard as I could
because I knew what I had to do
to get second in the champion-
ship. Unfortunately, it just wasn't
to be. I have to be proud—I've not
given up all year, and that is the
main thing." CN
PRO
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
2. Alfredo Gomez (Hus)
3. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
4. Billy Bolt (Hus)
5. Pol Tarres (Hus)
6. Jonny Walker (KTM)
7. Graham Jarvis (Hus)
8. Mario Roman (She)
9. Eddie Karlsson (She)
10. Ib Anderson (GG)
Alfredo Gomez took
second and second in
the championship.
Taddy Blazusiak was
challenging for the
win late in the race,
but a mechanical
dropped him to third.
