DIRT NEWS
2020 NZ XC CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED
by Andy McGechan
N
ew Zealand, as a country, has coped
remarkably well with the COVID-19
pandemic and many motorcycle events
are now up and running again, but unfortunately
not all of them can get the green light.
Flow-on effects from Coronavirus COVID-19
pandemic have forced at least one major dirt
bike competition here to be cancelled – the 2020
New Zealand Cross-country Championships will
now not happen because, in this mid part of the
year, suitable venues are simply not being
offered up to the biking community.
“Due to COVID-19 and the lock-down in mid-
March, we have been unable to run the
scheduled cross-country events,” explained
Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) cross-country
commissioner Chris Smyth.
“It has now become too late in the year to get
suitable venues, due mostly to land owners being
too busy lambing, calving and so forth,” he said.
“As a result of this, we have decided to cancel
the 2020 New Zealand Cross-Country
Championships. Next year’s championships will
start on February 28, 2021, at Cam Smith’s
farmland property near Marton and the series
will run through March, April and May.
“Many thanks must go to sponsors such as
Northern Accessories and Yamaha New Zealand
for their ongoing support of our sport.”
Before the pandemic struck and the nationwide
lock-down forced, the 2020 series had been
scheduled to run its fourth and final round at
Taupo on May 23, but rescheduling the series
to begin in July is simply not possible.
GASGAS GRABS BLAZUSIAK
G
asGas has performed yet another coup following a short career break, Blazusiak has
over new stables mates KTM and
shown that his competitive spirit remains as
Husqvarna, with the announcement that strong as ever.
Taddy Blazusiak will be their lead enduro rider Finishing the 2019 WESS Enduro World
aboard GasGas EC 300 and EC 350F machinery. Championship in fourth, while placing as runner-up
Bringing a wealth of enduro experience to the in both the 2019 AMA EnduroCross Championship
brand, Blazusiak will compete as a GasGas and 2020 SuperEnduro World Championship, he
Factory Racing rider contesting the WESS remains a formidable competitor.
Enduro World Championship and FIM
For extreme enduro competition, Taddy will
SuperEnduro World Championship.
ride the EC 300 and compete on the EC 350F
As a six-time FIM SuperEnduro World
for classic enduro and indoor events. Utilising
Champion, five-time AMA EnduroCross the GasGas trial range, he will also use the TXT
Champion, five-time Red Bull Erzbergrodeo RACING 300 as part of his training program.
winner, along with having four X-Games Gold ”This is a really cool and exciting change in my
medals and a Red Bull Last Man Standing victory career, the start of a new chapter for me.
to his credit, Blazusiak has firmly cemented It’s an honour to lead the GasGas brand back
himself as one of the sport’s greatest athletes. into enduro and I really want to do everyone
Returning to top-flight competition in 2018 proud, Blazusiak said of the move.
KIWI RIDER 21