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Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship 2016 kicks off in style

KTM's Cody WEBB (USA) secures a dramatic victory inside the Atlas Arena at round one of the 2015/16 Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Lodz, Poland.

Claiming the overall win by the narrowest of margins from KTM’s Jonny WALKER (GB), WEBB put himself into an early lead in the championship.

With the opening round of the championship eagerly awaited, the Polish fans were treated to an incredibly close night of non-stop action. From the get-go WEBB meant business and laid down a blisteringly fast hot lap to top the Akrapovic SuperPole from Taddy BLAZUSIAK (PL-KTM) and WALKER.

Quickly working his way towards the front of the pack for race one, WEBB pushed hard to reel in early pace setter WALKER. Capitalising on a mistake by the British rider, WEBB took control of the lead and claimed the first race win. A bad start and getting caught up in some chaos, WEBB could only muster sixth in race two. But bouncing back to win the third and final race of the night, he secured the top step of the podium.

It’s an awesome feeling to come away with the win in Poland,” told WEBB. “It was tough out there tonight, everyone was pushing so hard, mistakes were common. Two race wins and the overall is a fantastic way to kick off the championship.

Falling just one-point short of beating WEBB for the overall win, WALKER had to be content with the runner-up result. Proving himself both fast and consistent throughout the night, the KTM rider avoided trouble to card three second place finishes.

I’m happy with how I rode tonight,” said WALKER. “I wanted to deliver a consistent result and I managed to do just that. My riding is good and I’m looking forward now to round two in Germany.

Hoping to deliver his home crowd a home win, BLAZUSIAK had a very eventful night. Making his first serious comeback to racing having spent the majority of the summer recovering from illness, the Pole was pleased with his riding. Fourth in race one, third in race two and digging deep to recover to seventh in race three following a crash off the start, BLAZUSIAK ended his night in third.

That was an eventful night’s racing. There were a lot of crashes so I’m happy with third,” explained BLAZUSIAK. “The pace was hot, all the guys were racing on the limit. My crash in race three almost cost me a podium result – I really had to dig deep to recover from that.

Also caught up in the start straight crash of race three, Husqvarna’s Colton HAAKER (USA) placed one-point behind BLAZUSIAK for fourth overall. However, the American recorded his debut SuperEnduro race win when he claimed an almost start-to-finish victory in race two.

Tying on points with HAAKER, KTM’s Taylor ROBERT completed the top five overall, which included a third place finish in races one and three.

In the Junior class the night belonged to Germany’s Manuel LETTENBICHLER (KTM). Producing a near flawless performance inside the Atlas Arena, LETTENBICHLER topped the podium with three wins from three starts.

Behind him, SuperEnduro newcomer Luis OLIVEIRA (P-Yamaha) proved a fast learner. Two second place results and a fourth earned him the runner-up result.

Making a welcome return to SuperEnduro having injured himself during the GP of Brazil last February, Husqvarna’s Gethin HUMPHREYS (GB) secured the final step of the podium with third. Lee SEALEY (GB-Yamaha) and South Africa’s Blake GUTZEIT (Husqvarna) rounded out the top five.

The Maxxis FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round two in Riesa, Germany on January 2nd 2016.