Blake Gutzeit ‘on top of the world’
The young rider has overcome injury, illness and his own self-doubt to triumph over the best in the world in his age group.
IF someone had told Blake Gutzeit a few years ago that he would be a world champion by the age of 22 he would have laughed.
But that became a reality when he won the Super Enduro Junior World championship at the last race of the series held in Albi, France last week.
“Honestly, I had only really hoped to maybe win a national trophy, so this is awesome,” said the gutsy rider from Oslo Beach.
Ever gracious after the huge win, he had some people to thank.
One of his sponsors, Adam Kubarski, helped him get to and settle in Europe to be able to compete in the series.
“He’s like a father figure to me in Europe. He’s from the Czech Republic but originally from Poland.”
Blake has been there two and a half years now, and this was his second season on the circuit.
Last year he tore ligaments in his knee, so this win was also a victory of note when considering that.
He’s now joined a German team, riding for Neubert Racing Shop, owned by Nicky Neubert. Blake rides a Yamaha WR 250 two-stroke bike.
He made mention of Holger Dettmann, another mentor type influence who has been instrumental in his success.
“He comes to every race, and is there on the track. He helps me get my head right before a big event. He’s there in my corner, just making sure I’m okay, someone to talk to,” he said.
Generally, Blake is quite cool and calm.
“I try to stay happy and keep talking. I don’t like to get too serious before a race, otherwise I can get unnecessarily anxious. If I’m too serious, or intense, I make more mistakes,” he explained.
However, once he’s out the gates and on the track, it’s sheer focus and concentration, coupled with his never-give-up attitude.
While super enduro racing may not (yet) be that big in South Africa, it is huge in Europe.
“We race in a stadium, doing laps around a circuit. There must have been 10 000 spectators at the final race,” said Blake.
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Some of the obstacles riders face include logs, tyres, rocks and jumps.
A total of 14 riders qualify for a final, a process which takes all day, so mental and physical stamina is paramount.
“If you don’t make the top 14 you go home, so there’s a lot of pressure,” said Blake.
One of the biggest adjustments he had to make was to adapt to the intensity of the racing.
“In South Africa we have not been brought up racing against quite so many riders. The final was on quite a small track, which made controlling the bike vitally important, plus being aware of what was going on around me,” he said.
The youngest of five children, Blake comes from some serious motor racing stock, but keeping up with his father Desmond and brothers has never been something he’s felt pressured to do.
“They have inspired me, for sure, and I look up to my father and brothers, but I am my own person and comfortable with that,” he said.
But he was mightily pleased with the win, make no mistake. “To give the Gutzeit family a world championship trophy, that’s quite something for me,” he added.
And on a lighter note, he has (sort of) picked up the nickname of ‘Mary Poppins’.
“Yep,” he laughed, “That comes from one of my mates who called me that as he says I am so light on the bike!”
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