Cycle News

VOL. 53 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 13, 2016 P107 slipped through his fingers, as Blazusiak took the checkers only feet in front of him. The enraged Manxman ghosted his bike over the finish line tires and stormed off to the pits while Taddy headed to the podium. It wasn't merely his win, or even his riding style, it was his winning style that I will never forget. Blazusiak hopped up on the Las Vegas podium, threw his hands up over his head and shouted, "I make sexy time to- night!" At that moment of his Bo- rat impression, I knew I needed to be friends with this guy. It was cemented at the hotel bar in the Orleans Casino that night, where Taddy showed up ready to celebrate with his new Ameri- can industry friends. He truly made a grand entrance into the sport that night, both on and off the track, as we caught our first glimpse of the guy who would define AMA EnduroCross. Blazusiak returned with a factory ride, turning more heads and taking race wins in his flamboyant style. His charisma and his gymnastic-like ability on the bike made him an instant hit with fans, and as he began racking up championships start- ing in 2009 it became clear that he had elevated the sport to a new level. He seemed all but untouchable especially after dominating the entire season in 2011. The sport was growing at a rapid pace right along with Tad- dy. It was also in 2011 that Endu- roCross reached an unthinkable new high—X Games. I remember first hearing from Eric Peronnard that EnduroCross was headed to the Summer X Games, and it was simply unthinkable at the time. Off-road racing was some- thing you did out in the woods or in the desert with maybe a few dozen spectators—not on the floor of the Staples Center in downtown L.A. and broadcast live on ESPN! I'll never forget walking into the Staples Center and seeing logs and boulders and dirt right where a basketball court should be. Spectators weren't quite sure what they were watching, but they were exhilarated nonethe- less with all the action. At the center of it all was Taddy, with plenty of elbow-rubbing, bar- banging and crashing on his way to a thrilling victory. Skat- ers, BMXers and motocrossers gathered in the industry seating section to watch this wild new spectacle with most of them simply shaking their heads and saying, "That's crazy." True to form, Taddy won the race, and carried on like it was the first victory of his career—just like he always did. I'll never forget watching him light up the entire Staples Center with his charac- teristic celebratory display after winning the main event. ESPN loved it, the crowd loved it, and millions of fans around the world were seeing off-road racing (non-supercross/motocross) for the first time. It was the larg- est live audience any off-road event had ever seen, and they saw Taddy at his best. It was an incredibly proud moment for the entire off-road industry and I still don't think he truly realizes how incredible that was. I remember telling Taddy over a beer one night that there are so many guys that can win races, but no one can ignite an entire arena the way he can. His natural charisma was what made him a star—not merely his skill on a bike. Blazusiak gave EnduroCross 10 great years. Not all of them were dominant, but Taddy never lost his shine, nor his popularity with the crowds. He was always a pleasure to talk to in the pits, and you could always count on him to be at the bar after the race, ready for a good time, even if he didn't win that night. He left an indelible impact on the off-road industry and he will always be the undisputed King of EnduroCross. Having a front row seat to his outstanding ca- reer is a privilege I will always be grateful for, and I'm also grateful to call him a friend. Do widzenia, Taddy. Thanks for everything! CN

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