Illness Forces Knighter Out Of '07 - Last Man Standing - Dirt Rider Magazine

Reigning US GNCC champion David Knight saw his hopes of claiming a third Red Bull Last Man Standing title fail to materialise this weekend when the factory KTM rider was forced to withdraw from this year's LMS event with respiratory difficulties. Heading to the States feeling less than 100 per cent after topping the opening round of the Indoor Enduro World Cup, Knighter felt short of breath during the event's morning race but still placed second - a result he was happy with knowing that it was the all important night race that would ultimately decide the event's results.Thinking he was probably just going down with Flu David took to the start of the night race ready for the many challenges that lay ahead but soon found himself struggling to breath properly. Battling with eventual winner Taddy Blazusiak Knight found himself unable to continue and will now undergo tests in order to determine the nature of his breathing difficulties ahead of the second round of the Indoor Enduro World Cup, held in Munich this coming weekend.David Knight: "I'm gutted that I wasn't able to finish the race but it's great that Taddy and Geoff finished. I was having a good battle with Taddy shortly before I had to stop. I would lead for a while, then he'd lead, then me again...it was great. I felt short of breath and then when the track started to get more technical I started coughing and just couldn't stop. I'm not the type of rider that likes to pull out of events but there was no way I could continue. It was like I suddenly developed asthma, I was really scared because I couldn't breath. It was like someone had punched me in the stomach."The thing I'm most disappointed about is the fact that I was enjoying the event so much. It was tough but it was great. I'd say it was the hardest LMS event I've ridden, but also the best. I only have a few days before the next indoor world cup race so I hope to get things sorted as soon as I can."Results - 2007 Last Man Standing1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM)
2. Geoff Aaron (Christini / KTM)www.knighter.net