X-Games EnduroCross Preview

Go Set Your DVR’s To ESPN for this Sunday from 6-8PM. Do It Now.

News Flash: the sport of EnduroCross is red-hot in the off-road world but after this Sunday night’s Enduro X at Staples Center this spectator sport of the future will ignite a solar storm over the motorsports world. 30 of the worlds most talented dirt bike racers will go for the gold and all eyes are on this highly anticipated debut in the world famous X-Games. This action is so toxic it would make Charlie Sheen call 911 and you can lay a C-note down on old Tiger’s Blood to tune in as well.

ESPN’s X-Games is about to put Endurocross on the global map and take our word for it that if you want to be early to this party, you need to get in by this Sunday, after that, you’re late.

Here’s the deal: anything can and will happen at any normal EnduroCross event but this Sunday you’ll see a main event (contained riot) in L.A. where everything will go chaotic in the first couple of laps and not stop until the checkered flag. It’s that non-stop action that separates EX from MX, FMX and SX. The action never stops and the entire crowd has an intimate seat to the show, unlike Supercross where the cheap seats are in outer space. And to validate RDC’s theory, top-tier sponsor money from Monster Energy and GEICO have been early to the party; you have to trust Warren Buffet (GEICO) to be an early entrant to a great investment. EX takes place in arenas and thus brings the crowd right into the action as the Cirque du Soleil for the internal combustion era.

As a preview, here’s what you need to know about Enduro X: This is the season opener for the 2011 EX season and you have a mob of über talented moto-warriors vying for one of only 3 spots on the metallic podium of X. Please note that at most motorsports events, anything but a win is first or second loser so its the Breauxstradamus prediction that the bronze medalist this Sunday will have a party that will make Jagger and Gibson choke on their own vomit.

Atop the list of names to watch is hands down favorite Taddy Blazusiak from Poland who comes off an Erzberg Rodeo win and cleaned house at Endurocross for the past 2 seasons. Attacking at his heels are Geoff Arron and Taylor Robert, both of whom will be trying to stave off attacks from Kurt Caselli,  Justin Soule, Cory Graffunder and 39 year old Destry Abbott. Baja champion Kendall Norman has a lot to prove in his quest for X Gold as he trails stable mate Colton Udall in his effort to defend the most coveted plate in North America-1x.

Here’s why you need to set your DRV’s up right now: It will be the first event to rival the ancient Roman Gladiators since the debut of the “Modern Day Gladiators” in 1970. That’s right, Enduro X is Planet Disney’s answer to the first-ever Superbowl of Motocross at the LA Colossium almost 4 decades ago. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0903_the_first_supercross/motocross.html

RDC recommends that you bet the entire farm on this Sunday night’s Enduro X to be the next long-term, secular paradigm shift in off-road motorsports.

Put the X-Games in perspective: For close to 2800 years, the Olympics have been the ultimate mark of athleticism and test of the human spirit. But with the advent of high-fructose corn syrup and carbon fiber, the X-Games have taken the global center stage of the athletic world as the true  mark of galactic competition.

Here’s a breakdown of the gladiators:

Let’s handicap the field’s top picks

2/9 Taddy Blazusiak-Don’t place this bet because risking 9 bucks to earn 2 is dumb money; you’ll risk a lot to win a little. Save your scones for a Smash Burger.

2/7 Geoff Arron- The US trials sensation has been runner up in the past two seasons.

2/5 Kurt Caselli-You can bet on Caselli-$5 across the board will pay you back if he places and we can’t see that not happening. Talent and maturity favor him over these younger thoroughbreds.

2/1 Taylor Robert- After being sidelined early in 2010, he is healed and willing to bang bars to own gold in the dawning of the new age.

3/1 Justin Soule- “Its incredible feeling you can’t replicate, a worldwide event that’s recognized on every continent. It’s living the dream. I never really saw myself doing the X Games. Its so high up, sometimes you just think you can’t go that high. Its beyond totally cool and I’m honored to do this for my sponsors and every single person who has ever supported me in my career.”

4/1 Ricky Dietrich-2008 Endurocross Champ on the Vali Motorsports Yamaha has the knowledge, experience and drive to make it “blue-gold” on Sunday.

5/1 Cory Graffunder- There’s something they put in the Canadian water that makes these guys a bit more capable. This is one of the better value-oriented bets. Put $50 down across the board and you’ll have one of your best plays for the night.

Wild Card Favorites:

8/1 Destry Abbott- The consummate gentleman and warrior has only two to things left on his bucketlist: Baja 1000 and, you guessed it, a medal in the X-Games: “Ive accomplished quite a bit in my career but to be in the X Games is a real honor. I really hope to get a medal in the event.”

10/1 Kendall Norman-He will likely be pissed that he’s more of a long-shot in this one but he blew minds with 3 championships in 2010. He’s losing ground in Baja this season and this is his best shot at continuing his run from last year.

15/1 Ivan Ramirez- Caliente would put him a little closer to the money because they know the Mexican sensation has a big future. Constant disappointments in Baja make the stakes high for Red Bulls KTM.

Words by Scotty Breauxman

Photos by Chad McClellan