SPICE IT UP
Hey there, Cross Country adventurers! Get ready to add some new spice to your local riding crew because the 2025 GASGAS EX models are here! Picture this: high-performance motorcycles that not only let you have a blast on the trails but also elevate your entire weekend into a thrilling dirt-filled escape. Whether you‘re tearing through forests, conquering hills, or cruising through open terrain, our versatile machines are your ticket to an adrenaline-fueled rides with your buddies. #GetOnTheGas
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Mar 8-9: Trials Training Days
Mar 14-16: Downhill Southeast Mtn Bike Race
June 23-26: Family Camp
June 27-29: AMA/NextGen Mototrials Youth & Women's Regional Championship
June 30 - July 3: Invitational Teen Camp
Aug 8-10: 15th Annual Red Bull Kenda
Tennessee Knock Out Extreme Enduro
Oct 18-19: 33rd Annual 58K Fall Trial (STRA)
Dec 6: Xmas Toy Trial - Fun Gate Trial
July 26-27 September 13-14
November 1-2
www.ryanyoungtrialsschools.com
* All dates are subject to change Ryan Young Trials Schools at TTC: January 25-26 February 22-23 April 12-13 May 3-4
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / ADVERTISING MANAGER: STEPH VETTERLY
STEPHANIE@ONTHEPEGSMAGAZINE.COM
CONTRIBUTORS
Brian Pierce // Seat Time
Isalen Cooper
Future7Media
Kayla Bolton
Mack Faint
Shan Moore
Art Pepin
Calafia Concepts
John Clement
Jean Clement
Curtis Kohl
facebook.com/ onthepegs @onthepegsmagazine www.on-the-pegs.com
On the Pegs is covering the events, personalities, and machinery of GNCC, enduro, trials and more with beautiful photography in a free monthly digital magazine.
To get involved or send content, email stephanie@onthepegsmagazine.com
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Ryder LeBlond earned his
Hard Enduro Series at
FEARLESS FEMME: A MOTOTRIALS TEAM FOR WOMEN OVER 40
A bold new initiative is taking root in the world of observed trials: Fearless Femme, an invitation-only mototrials team created exclusively for women over 40, is bringing visibility, community, and renewed energy to a corner of motorsport that’s long been underserved.
Founded by veteran trials rider, Leslie Matheson, Fearless Femme is more than a team—it’s a movement. With the goal of creating space for older women in a sport that’s often dominated by younger men, the team aims to empower those who may have left athletic pursuits behind to reclaim their place, their joy, and their throttle control.
“There are so many women out there who were athletes in their youth, and still have the drive, the spirit, and the skills—but they’ve had nowhere to land in this sport,” says Matheson.
“Fearless Femme gives them a
community, a platform, and a reason to ride again.”
Despite the increasing presence of women in motorsports, trials remains a niche where older women are dramatically underrepresented. Most local clubs don’t offer women’s classes—because there aren’t enough women riders. The AMA NATC Nationals don’t provide age categories for women—unlike their male counterparts.
Fearless Femme was created to change that narrative. The team isn’t about creating division—it’s about creating belonging. It offers riders a space to reconnect with the thrill of competition, while also building each other up, riding together, and finding sisterhood in a sport that often feels solitary.
Fearless Femme is invitation-only, with a simple requirement: active participation in team activities, whenever possible. Members receive a custom team t-shirt, logo stickers, and access to monthly in-season Zoom meetups where they share support, ideas, and strategies for growing the sport and helping new riders feel welcome.
“Women over 40 can absolutely compete with men,” Matheson adds. “But we also deserve to be recognized for
who we are—and not have to constantly prove that we belong. We ride because we love it. We’re here because we matter.”
The team is currently growing, and interested riders—or those who know a woman who belongs—are encouraged to reach out via social or email with referrals or questions.
In a sport defined by balance, precision, and nerve, Fearless Femme is proving that strength, sisterhood, and second chances might just be the best kind of ride.
For press inquiries or to nominate a rider for invitation, email: rkm620@gmail.com
ZACH OSBORN JOINS BETA USA AS MX BRAND AMBASSADOR
Beta USA is proud to welcome Zach Osborne as the company’s newest Brand Ambassador. In his new role, Osborne will contribute to the brand’s growth by assisting with bike testing, working closely with Beta’s riders, and attending select events across the country to promote the Beta name.
Osborne brings a wealth of experience to the team. A household name in the racing world, his professional career spans over 16 years and includes four major U.S. championships. He was crowned the AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Champion in 2020 and claimed both the 250SX East and 250MX Championships in 2017. His career highlights also include 20 AMA Pro Motocross 250 Class podiums, 7 wins in the 250 class, and 4 victories in the 450 class. Following his Supercross and Motocross retirement, Osborne returned to full-time racing in 2022 in the off-road world as well in GNCC competition.
“I’m honored to be a part of the Beta family. They are carving out a neat spot as a brand in our sport, and I’m excited for their future. I hope I can add momentum to the great work they are already doing and have some fun along the way,” said Osborne.
Tim Pilg from Beta USA, "I am very happy to have Zach be a part of our special company. Our race team has already been very successful these past couple seasons in all aspects of events and Zach will be able to add even more to that success. We not only have him working on the racing side of things but also in attending some different ride events and representing the Beta brand as well in a fun way. It is going to be a great year!"
US SPRINT ENDURO RACE RECAP: A HIGH VOLTAGE WEEKEND
WORDS PHOTOS
BRIAN PIERCE
ART PEPIN (OFFROAD PAPARAZZI)
The High Voltage US Sprint Enduro weekend was full of adventure. I learned a lot about sprint enduro racing, and I’ll break it all down in this video. Simple fact: grass tracks are awesome, and the US Sprint Enduro crew knows how to lay one out.
This one was far from home— 18 hours from North Texas.
It took two days to drive out, getting me there just in time to walk the course Friday afternoon. The Cross Test was 4.1 miles, and the Enduro Test was 3.2. Both seemed dry. (We were wrong.) Barry Hawk held a class Friday that I wish I’d arrived early enough to attend. Maybe next time.
Rachel Gutish gave us solid advice on what to look for during course walks. The goal is to connect turns in the smoothest, fastest way possible. She also recommends running the test back through your mind while walking—and again afterward. That helps you visualize the test when you line up for your first race of the day. If remembering
every turn is tough, at least mark the danger spots so they don’t catch you off guard.
Racing for adults at a US Sprint Enduro doesn’t start until 11 a.m., but squeezing in eight tests per day with 30–45 minutes between them makes for a long day. You’ve got to warm up, go full-send, cool down, ramp up again—and repeat that eight times.
All the same nutrition and hydration rules apply as a traditional enduro, but because the test sections are shorter, you won’t need as many carbs per hour. A bigger breakfast can be eaten since you’ll have time to digest it, and you’ll need to figure out if you want a light lunch, fruit, or simple carbs since you race through traditional lunch times. Still, intensity is sky-high while you’re in the test, so you’ll need to dial in both pre- and intra-race fueling. Recovery starts as soon as racing ends, so get in a carb- and proteinfocused dinner and aim for quality sleep. Sunday comes fast.
Saturday night, things took a turn. A front blew through for about 30 minutes—and brought a small tornado with it. It wrecked tents and even a few RVs. I was in an RV with Max Gerston and Adam Sans, and we were freaking out like 12-year-olds at their first rock concert. The easy-up and canopy damage was seen across the pits. The carnage looked like a horde of giant white spiders had been massacred.
Sunday morning, the terrain was soaked, as expected. It was wet and slick, but not super muddy. The Cross Test was SLICK the first time through—so much so that even the pros added about a minute to their previous times. As the sun came out and racers laid down laps, the course started to tack up and got really fun.
The Enduro Test actually rode better on Sunday. It had been so dry Saturday that moisture from exposed roots just sat on the surface, making it greasy. On Sunday, the ground finally soaked up the rain, which softened the terrain—but those roots were still slick!
Overall, I didn’t ride that well. My three takeaways from the weekend: intensity, adaptability, and experience. You’ve got to hit every turn with 100% effort—something I’m still getting used to. The track changes a lot throughout the day with all the laps, so you’ve got to adapt. And experience means knowing how to tweak your bike—or your style—on the fly. I struggled with all three.
If I try again to qualify for the ISDE Senior Club Team, I’ll need a lot more preparation for the sprint format. I’ll have to be more in tune with my bike and know what to adjust based on feel—or just ride it and not overthink. Honestly, motocross seems like the best place to start. A few racers mentioned some speed drills too, and I’m hoping to film a video of those soon to share.
The US Sprint Enduro format is a fun weekend of racing, but I don’t want it to take over traditional restart enduros. To be competitive, you need to show up Friday to walk or pedal the course, be ready to go by 11 a.m., and finish racing around 4 p.m. both days. That’s a serious time commitment. I still prefer the restart enduro format where you can drive out Saturday, race a bunch of miles on Sunday, and then head home. Especially for local events with six-hour drives max—way easier to fit into a weekend.
I’d definitely hit another US Sprint Enduro if I could, but the travel and cost just aren’t in the cards right now. National Enduros are my focus this year. The ISDE attempt was a pipe dream, and the lack of prep showed in my riding and results.
Next up: Cherokee National Enduro in Georgia. I’ll see ya there from row 41!
Rieju
MR 300I Range MY26
Rieju's engineering team continues to demand nothing but the best in the world of "hard off-road." Validated in the SuperEnduro World Championship, the 2026 Rieju MR 300i is finetuned for challenging even the most difficult terrain.
ENGINE
The new MR PRO 300i boasts the most advanced engine ever seen in its class: a 300cc, single-cylinder, twostroke engine with electronic injection, designed and manufactured in Spain. The PRO model also showcases Rieju's throttle body fuel injection system (TFI). The TFI is an advanced mechanism with two specific and distinct
Bosch injectors, offering the same advantages of any current injection motorcycle - moderate fuel consumption, good performance, and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions - without sacrificing the immediate engine response or throttle feel that is so characteristic of carbureted models.
Another significant advancement of the new model is the update to the three selectable power maps: "Race," "Forest," and "Wet" riding models.
The MR PRO has taken a giant leap forward by incorporating an innovative diaphragm clutch, which replaces the
traditional coil spring system of the previous version and provides greater sensitivity during gear changes. This results in much smoother and more precise transitions.
CHASSIS
The MR 300i works off a chrome-molybdenum steel frame joined to an aluminum subframe, keeping a solid, strong, and lightweight construction that guarantees durability in extreme conditions.
SUSPENSION
Starting with the RACING version, the Rieju equips the front axle with a 48mm KYB
inverted fork, complete with an air-oil separated system (AOS) and closed cartridge, guaranteeing performance in impact absorption. The rear KYB monoshock is fully adjustable in preload, rebound damping, and differential highand low-speed compression, designed to achieve optimal traction on any surface.
DIMENSIONS
The RACING and PRO versions are lighter than their predecessors, coming in at 226 pounds and 228 pounds, respectively. They are also paired with a 9.8-liter fuel tank and fuel-efficient TFI engine to provide great range for riding and racing.
EQUIPMENT
The RACING version includes black anodized Excel aluminum rims mounted with Mitas Terraforce tires, Neken handlebars and grips, a sump guard, a RIEJU Power Racing exhaust by Oxa, an X-Ring chain seal, and lithium battery. The PRO version builds off the above by adding premium parts such as forks with black anodized anti-friction DLC treatment, Renthal Fatbar handlebar with variable diameter, Polisport Bullit handguards, X-Trig Rocs aluminum triple clamps and machined hubs, and Excel rims mounted with Michelin Enduro Medium tires.
KEY FEATURES:
• 300cc single-cylinder, twostroke engine with electronic injection (PRO)
• TFI: throttle body fuel injection system)
• updated power maps: "Race," "Forest," and "Wet"
• diaphragm clutch (PRO)
• electronic exhaust valve
• lighter weight
MODELS AVAILABLE:
MR PRO 300i ($11,399) MR RACING 300i ($10,399)
LETTENBICHLER ON TOP AT OPENING HARD ENDURO
The 2025 season of the Hard Enduro World Championship (HEWC) has been one of the biggest talking points this year. With KTM under financial struggles, they removed their support of the HEWC and left the WESS Promotion Group without the backing to continue into the current season. Through a series of fortunate events, ProTouchGlobal, an international leader in sports event management and athlete development, stepped onto the scene and was awarded the rights to serve as the new promoter of the series. This meant that the once uncertain
future of the beloved series was now a go under new management and new plans for the future.
Consisting of a tentative seven-round series which includes a stop in the US to include the Silver Kings Hard Enduro, the first round saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Manuel Lettenbichler come out swinging to take a dominant win at the Valley’s Hard Enduro in Wales, UK.
Staged over two days, riders first took to qualification laps on a short course to set positions for Sunday’s main
race. The Prologue also had championship points up for grabs, and Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt was able to set the fastest time in the unusually dry and dusty Welsh terrain, claiming three points. Lettenbichler came in second to secure two championship points, with X-Grip Racing Team’s Mitch Brightmore coming in third fastest and gaining one championship point.
Going into Sunday’s main race, Lettenbichler grabbed the holeshot and ran away with the lead, while Bolt and Sherco Racing Factory’s Teodor Kabakchiev battled closely for second and third place. Finally, Bolt was able to break free and gained a lead.
As the four laps wore on, the dry and dusty conditions forced riders to find alternative lines as the pace was more of a sprint than a hard enduro. Had the rains come, the struggle would have been real.
“It’s been a great race,” said Lettenbichler. “My focus was on getting the holeshot for the main event. I knew that would be key today. I managed to do that and was able to pull a good gap of maybe one minute by the end of lap one. During the second lap, I was a little unsure of where everyone else was. I felt like they were closing, so I pushed harder again. The team told me I was over two minutes clear
at the end of lap two, so that was both a nice surprise and a good cushion to have. I was happy with my pace and could maintain that until the finish. Coming into a new season is always difficult to judge where things are at, so it’s quite cool to win like this. For sure, I have things I want to work on to improve, but for now I’ll enjoy this moment.”
“With a bad start in the main race I struggled a bit on lap one and wasn’t comfortable,” said Bolt. “The dust was quite bad and that made it difficult to settle into the pace I knew I was capable of. When we cleared lap one, Mani [Lettenbichler] was already out to a big lead. I was able to keep that gap for the majority of the race, but unfortunately the damage was done early on.
Behind me, Teo [Kabakchiev] was pushing too, and at the end of the second lap he got close. I was riding the difficult parts really well but losing a little on the sections in between. For the final two laps I just tried to execute the hard parts to the best of my ability and hold my position. Overall, it was a fast four laps, and in this dust, I rode well to claim second. We have a
small gap now until Red Bull Erzbergrodeo. I want to work on my pace on the mediumdifficult sections to get up to that overall level I know I’m capable of. Between my SuperEnduro duties and taking some time off for injuries, I haven’t quite gelled yet outdoors. But I’m healthy and hungry now for hard enduro.”
The next round will take place in Kellogg, Idaho at the Silver Kings Hard Enduro.
1. Manuel Lettenbichler (KTM)
2. Billy Bolt (HSQ)
3. Teodor Kabakchiev (SHR)
4. Mario Roman (SHR)
5. Ashton Brightmore 6. Mitch Brightmore
7. Wade Young 8. Alfredo Gomez Cantero
9. Thomas Scales
10. Matthew Green
HART WINS BATTLE OF THE GOATS
STEPH VETTERLY CALAFIA CONCEPTS & STEPH VETTERLY
Round 5 of the 2025 Bullet Proof Designs US Hard Enduro Series, Presented by IRC Tire, saw the return of one of the favorite races of the year – Battle of the Goats. Hosted by Tyler Mull at the Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park in North Carolina, the hard enduro saw a makeover this year. While many of the fan- and racer-favorite sections were included, such as Wentzel’s Waterslide, and Chicken Fight, the course was changed from it’s historically-lengthy course, to a more condensed sixmile course. The format consisted of two single-lap Prologue qualifiers on Saturday that set row position, and then Sunday’s main race, which tasked racers with completing as many laps as they could manage in a three-hour time limit.
Friday-night rains lead into thunderstorms early Saturday morning, which made sure the course was good and muddy for qualifying. First riders on the course were the Amateurs, with Lennox Reilly taking the overall. The rains held back for the morning racing, and while the course started to tack up, Mother Nature made sure that the Pros had a muddy course as well, as the skies briefly opened up minutes before the start of the afternoon qualifier. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond was able to take the lead and the win, with FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Riordan crossing the finish less than 30 seconds behind. Redbull KTM FMF’s Trystan Hart, Rocky Mountain Yamaha’s Cody Webb, and Beta USA’s Danny Leis, rounded out the top-5.
For Sunday’s main race, riders started in rows of five based on Saturday’s Prologue results. While the rains held off and racers were treated to beautiful skies and even more beautiful temperatures, sections like Joker Falls, Wentzel’s Waterslide, and Chutes and Ladders still held enough water, both standing and flowing, to make the course interesting. The story of the day was on the pair of riders who took solid leads and ran away from the rest of the pack. After starting strong off the start line, LeBlond was clearly in his element, cleaning every obstacle and instantly able to pick the better lines. He stayed ahead of Hart for the majority of the first two laps, trading leads a few times. Hart was finally able to wait LeBlond out and make the move for the
lead. Coming into the final lap, LeBlond was putting the pressure back on, but a crash in the final creek section took any hope of a last-minute pass. Hart was able to work up a 20-second lead across the finish line. The only other rider to complete four laps was Will Riordan, crossing the finish nearly 30 minutes later.
“[Today’s race] started off pretty rough,” said Hart. “My mousse was a bit too stiff, so I was really struggling. I kind of wrote the race off on lap one because I thought Ryder had a huge gap and I was just messing stuff up. Then out of nowhere, I caught him at Wentzel’s Waterslide; I honestly thought he got hurt or messed something up because he was there going pretty slow. It was stressful; I definitely didn’t want to get all the way to the last lap in the lead and then lose it somehow. This is my fifth-consecutive win here. This place has always been pretty good to me – it’s where I got my first win against Cody [Webb], so the place is pretty special.”
“We both had good lines, good speed, and we pretty much gapped everyone else,” explained LeBlond of his and Hart’s three-hour battle. “It came down to me and him at the end. Going into the last lap, he got a little bit of a gap on me. For a second, I gave up. I told myself I was going to go as hard as I could until the finish and see what happens. I took some sendier lines and they worked out and I caught back up to him at the end, which was big for me – usually he pulls on me at the end and that’s where he can get me. I was able to reel him back in which I’m pretty stoked on. Good on him for staying calm the last lap; I felt like I was panicking, and I’m sure he was panicking.”
“The course was shorter, but honestly, it didn’t feel that short,” said Riordan. “Although in saying that, I think we did it quicker than we thought because it was a bit drier. We ended up going four laps. It was definitely
not as slippery as it could’ve been, but I was struggling for traction a bit. The rocks were slippery, and the track got slipperier and slipperier as people carried water around it. I got third, which was good, but the top two boys worked me. I had one incident a lap [which slowed me down] – last lap I fell down a big rock. It’s little stuff, but it adds up. I also had a few little mechanical issues – my throttle kept getting stuck on, my bars rolled back, it was running hot, just little stuff."
"Today was difficult," said Webb. "Honestly, right off the bat, I pretty much knew I was in bad shape. There was Chicken Fight, Upper Chicken Fight, just spinning on everything; second [gear] was a little tricky, first was instant spin-out. I got better as the day went on, but those guys were so far gone, I was just riding by myself and it was pretty boring. My average heart rate was crazy low, but I had a hard time pushing because the harder I would push, I would light up the rear end. It was tricky; I just had to be really patient."
The top Amateur racers of the weekend were Tyler Labell, Geiner Cordero and Brock Harris, each completing three laps.
EVENT RESULTS
PRO / A
Kamakana WaiwaioleKahalepuna (KTM)
Kawelo Huddy (KTM)
Ryder Guest (KTM)
Branden Petrie (BET)
Braxton Hintze (SHR)
James Flynn (BET)
AMATEUR
1.
3. Brock Harris (KTM)
4. Lennox Reilly (GG)
5. Nick Klatt (KTM)
6. Bentlee Bredekamp (HSQ)
7. Gage Hill (KTM)
8. Scott Martin (HSQ)
9. Davin Shike (GG)
10. Bryan Auten (SHR)
1. Trystan Hart (KTM)
Ryder LeBlond (HSQ)
Will Riordan (SHR)
Cody Webb (YAM)
Tyler Labelle (BET) 2. Geiner Cordero (GG)
Gear: helmets, jerseys, pants & protectors
Parts: Jitsie, OEM plus various aftermarket parts
Bikes: Beta, Electric Motion, Vertigo & TRS
LEBLOND TAKES SECOND WIN & POINTS LEAD
STEPH VETTERLY WORDS & PHOTOS
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond took home his second win of the 2025 Bullet Proof Designs US Hard Enduro Series, Presented by IRC Tire. The River Monster Hard Enduro, set as round 6 of the season, was set in the rolling hills of Glen Lyn, Virginia, at Kairos Wilderness Resort. Previously hosted in the US Hard Enduro series in various iterations, it was promoted to a premier round, with all the usual suspects in tow.
Sections such as the infamous White Whale, a rocky uphill creek bed that is well-known in the Jeep community, and Clam Rock, a steep pair of tight switchbacks in loose terrain, were just a couple of the challenging sections on the docket for the weekend.
Despite some pre-weekend rain, the property dried quickly, and conditions were perfect come race time. For the first five-hour race, the amateur riders were
challenged to two 16-mile laps. Right off the start line, riders were thrown into Puke Creek, a nice, wet, rocky creek bed that was only the start of things to come. After a quick road crossing, the course snaked into a series of rough downhills, creek beds, and steep hill climbs. Although the sections were difficult, they were on the shorter side, which gave riders some nice transfer sections before heading into the next section. To commemorate the end of a
lap well done, a series of logs, water troughs, and tires were set up in the last 100 yards before the finish line.
Coming in first overall was Geiner Cordero, taking the lead from the second checkpoint and never letting go. Cordero would finish in just over three hours, coming in 18 minutes ahead of Gage Hill in second. Hill would also have a solid lead over Tyler Labelle who would round out the overall
podium. Youth riders Tucker Edmondson, Graham Kobak, and Bentlee Bredekamp would finish within 20 minutes of one another, and well within the top 10 overall.
Sunday saw the Pro and A class riders take a slightly different plan on the five-hour course. Starting off on lap 1, riders would follow the same course the amateurs ran the day prior, with a few slight challenging additions, including running the
endurocross track at the start of the race. After completing the lap, they made a complete course change, sending all riders on a brand new course, which was comprised of the most challenging creeks and hill climbs of the weekend.
Had the venue seen any rain on the day, the finish times would easily have been doubled. However, the beautiful temperatures and nice sunny skies had helped to dry the course, resulting in hill climbs with plenty of traction, and creek beds with low water levels, turning the hard enduro into a fast-paced sprint.
Right off the start, FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Riordan was able to take the lead after the second corner. IRC Beta's Branden Petrie slid out in the turn, causing a pile-up of riders, including Rieju USA's Quinn Wentzel and Rocky Mountain Yamaha's Cody Webb, the latter of which resumed his race in last place.
Riordan was able to lead the whole first lap, with LeBlond and Redbull KTM FMF’s Trystan Hart hot on his heels; the pair was left to battle for position between one another until the start of the second lap when Riordan’s failed attempt to take a shortcut over a log gave them an opening to overtake. The course was tight with few places to make a pass, so it was crucial to capitalize on competitor’s mistakes. LeBlond was able to get out in front, with Riordan and Hart trading positions until a navigation error towards the final stretch left Hart with an opportunity to pull a few bike lengths ahead and secure second place. Riordan would cross the finish line 14 seconds after Hart to round out the podium.
With a weekend free and a race close to home, Flatrock Motorclub GasGas Factory Racing’s GNCC athlete, Jordan Ashburn, stopped by to throw his hat in the ring. Having experience in riding hard enduro, Ashburn was no slouch on the course, keeping within a minute behind
ROUND 6
the podium the entire first lap. Starting lap 2, the lead stretched to 10 minutes, and Ashburn would finish only 18 minutes behind the podium for fourth overall, with Rocky Mountain Yamaha’s Cody Webb closing out the top 5 only two minutes later.
“I haven’t gone that fast since I used to race GNCCs back in the day,” said an excited LeBlond. “I don’t train to go fast like that anymore, and I could tell the first lap… There were a couple hard sections left after [a rocky uphill called Trinity], but nothing where you were really going to get stuck, so I was just going as fast as I could until the checkered flag. [Riordan and Hart] were really close [to me] the whole time and I was stressing. They were going back and forth, and it let me get a little bit of a gap going into the last hard section and the endurocross section; that would’ve been chaos if we went into that together. I’m pumped to win this one.”
“It wasn’t the greatest day for me,” said Hart. “I never really found a good flow, I feel like. Those guys definitely had this place figured out, it seemed. They definitely knew where to go, and it seemed like they had it dialed in and I never could get into a spot where I could even make a push for first. I was at the best second, and most of the time I was third. I made a huge mistake at the finish which cost us any chance of getting Ryder [LeBlond] because we were so close. It was one of the easier courses that we’ve done for a while, but still a course that you have to go fast on and figure it out and adapt to different things. Second on the day and on to the toughest race next. We’ll see how that one goes.”
“The jump wasn’t good, but I ended up in the lead after the second corner, which is what I wanted to do,” explained Riordan. “I knew that I had to sprint the first lap, which
suits me. I don’t know how much I put on them, but a bit. It was kind of lonely the whole first lap. Then the start of the second, I tried to take a shortcut over this one log, didn’t make it, got stuck, and Ryder [LeBlond] got in front. Trystan was right behind, and then from there for the last hour and ten minutes, we were all right there. We got lucky with the weather. If it was wet, it would’ve been 100 times harder. Because the conditions were perfect, it was enjoyable and quick. Next race at RORR is going to be the complete opposite, so I think this is fine.”
"I got a fourth or fifth start in the woods and got caught in a pileup with everyone else," explained Ashburn. "I had to make a bunch of passes really quick early on. Made a pass around Danny [Lewis] and pretty much rode there all day. I figured Cody [Webb] was back there lurking and coming, so I knew I couldn’t make any big mistakes and take too much time. Pretty happy to come and do something different."
LeBlond’s win puts him in the points lead, but with riders afforded a drop round, LeBlond needs to secure a few more race wins to secure the overall title.
The next USHE round will be the Keystone Challenge in Pennsylvania – two days of racing Tough Like RORR in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, on May 24 and May 25 followed by the Shotgun Hard Scramble in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, on May 26.
EVENT RESULTS
PRO / A
AMATEUR
1.
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
1. Ryder LeBlond (HSQ)
Trystan Hart (KTM)
Will Riordan (SHR)
Jordan Ashburn (GG)
Cody Webb (YAM)
Daniel Lewis (BET)
Braxton Hintze (SHR)
Ryder Guest (KTM)
Kawelo Huddy (KTM)
Kamakana WaiwaioleKahalepuna (KTM)
Geinder Cordero (GG)
2. Gage Hill (KTM)
Tyler Labelle (BET)
4. Davin Shike (GG)
Tucker Edmondson (KTM)
Graham Kobak (SHR)
Bentlee Bredekamp (HSQ)
Jake Campbell (BET)
9. Mason Gray (GG)
Rodrigo Castaneda (KTM)
THE FUN OF VINTAGE TRIALS
WORDS PHOTOS
JOHN & JEAN CLEMENT
CURTIS KOHL
Have you ever considered riding a vintage trials event? Lots of vintage riders also ride modern trials while still enjoying the challenge and nostalgia of riding an old bike. Vintage trials bikes have a character all their own that requires a rider to pay attention to their form and may help the rider to become a better modern trials competitor. Newer riders may find an older bike easier to control because vintage bikes are typically not as quick as a modern bike.
Bikes manufactured in the 1980s or earlier are considered vintage and some clubs have classes for bikes manufactured up to the later 1990s. Check with your vintage club to find
out what their requirements are for qualifying bike models and years.
How to find a bike?
You can find the right bike for you in several ways: attending a vintage event, checking with your local motorcycle shop, garage and estate sales, Craigslist or the Facebook Marketplace. Many vintage bike owners will sell bikes at club events or may know someone who has an older bike for sale. Vintage bikes are all over the place; I’ve even found them for sale on the side of the road. The bike you end up with might need a bit of work or may be ready to ride. Members of vintage trials
clubs are willing to help new riders with getting a vintage bike ready to ride and/or mentoring a new rider.
Of course, riders will need a helmet, riding boots and gloves. Some choose to wear blue jeans and t-shirts instead of trials gear and that’s just fine. Riders may need to join the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) or the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) if one of these organizations is sanctioning the event being entered.
What should you expect when competing at a vintage event?
Vintage sections are set so riders can negotiate them on a vintage bike with vintage rules. There are no huge obstacles or extremely tight turns that are often included in modern trials sections. Many vintage clubs will follow the same basic rules as modern trials with some clubs using a version of the “no stop” rule in which riders can stop in a section as long as they do not put a foot down when stopped.
In modern trials, riders enter a skill level class. Riders for a vintage event enter both a bike class and a rider skill level designation. For example, a rider might enter the Vintage Mono class (1997 & earlier) and ride the B (amateur) skill level. Some vintage clubs, like the Mountain West Vintage Trials Association (MWVTA) have classes and skill levels for modern bikes and riders also.
Vintage clubs like MWVTA encourage riders of all ages and skill levels to come ride their events. MWVTA was established to host events in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, with folks coming
from Texas, Utah, and other surrounding states as well. Our events are held over a weekend so there is lots of riding and socializing for participants. MWVTA also hosts a BBQ and potluck dinner on Saturday evening that is delicious and lots of fun.
So…don’t be shy…
Come Ride a Vintage Event With Us!
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TRIALGP OPENING ROUNDS!
ISALEN COOPER POLE POSITION COMMUNICATIONS WORDS PHOTOS
round 1
Spain
The start of any new season always brings added excitement, but with a reworked event format –including a crowd-pleasing ‘Power Section’ contested against the clock to end the day’s competition in the elite TrialGP and TrialGP Women classes – adrenalin levels were running extra high in the Spanish town of Benahavis.
Also new for 2025, each ‘lap’ has been relabelled as a ‘race’ with championship points scored at the end of both races and with a dramatically reduced time limit in each section – down from ninety to sixty seconds – ensuring no let-up in intensity, competitors faced a series of tough new challenges.
As we have seen so many times before, Bou relishes a new challenge and the thirty-eight-year-old Spanish superstar rose to the occasion, winning Race One on a score of just eight, half that of his
second-placed team-mate Gabriel Marcelli and thirteen clear of Aniol Gelabert (TRRS) with Jaime Busto (GASGAS) a further mark adrift to complete the allSpanish top-four after winning a tie-break with Italian veteran Matteo Grattarola (Beta).
The world’s best riders faced a stiff challenge from the get-go. The first section – on a precariously steep, rock-studded hillside – took maximums from all aside from Bou and Gelabert in the opening race. It was every bit as challenging at the second attempt when only Bou and Busto made it to the end and section two was even harder with a huge step from a minimal run-up proving to be impossible for all TrialGP competitors in both races.
After Bou cruised clear to win Race One, it looked like a case of more of the same in Race Two with the reigning champion holding
a comfortable advantage. However, a surprise maximum on section ten that snaked its way up, down and around a rock-strewn open hillside slashed his lead and brought both Marcelli and Busto back to within striking distance.
With the final section the decider, first Busto kept his hopes of winning alive with a cool clean, then Marcelli produced a faultless ride to
move to the top before both saw their chances of victory dashed by Bou’s precise clean that gave him a final score of ten, two clear of Marcelli and three ahead of Busto.
“It’s been an amazing day to start the championship,” said Bou. “I’m super-happy to win both races. There was a lot of pressure, but for me it’s been a perfect day.”
Rabino, “especially in the first race. Tomorrow we have two more races and I’m hoping for two more good results.”
Britain’s Alice Minta (Beta) put in a great performance to end the Race in third, just three marks behind Rabino, with Pecháčková fourth on twenty after winning a tie-break with Alycia Soyer (TRRS) from France.
At the close of competition the TrialGP and TrialGP Women riders then faced the new ‘Power Section’, plotted across a reworked section twelve with eased routes for both classes putting the emphasis on speed.
Grattarola improved a place to fourth on eighteen with Gelabert completing the top five on a total of twenty-nine.
With defending TrialGP Women champion Emma Bristow retired, home favourite Berta Abellan (Scorpa) started the day as the rider to beat, but Italy’s Rabino clearly had not read the script and the eighteen-year-old produced a commanding performance to win Race One with a loss of fourteen, four ahead of Britain’s Kaytlyn Adshead (Sherco) who has clearly gelled quickly with her new machine.
Czech rider Denisa Pecháčková (TRRS) – the Trial2 Women champion in 2022 – was a solid third on nineteen after winning a tie-break with Italian Alessia Bacchetta (GASGAS) with Abellan a surprise fifth on twenty.
Abellan struck back in Race Two, but it was a tight and nervous performance and the twenty-five-year-old from Barcelona was only assured of victory by three marks when Rabino incurred a maximum on her second visit to section eleven where Abellan went clean.
“My feeling today was very good,” said series leader
With an additional three championship points on the line for the winner, two for second and one for third, what was excellent entertainment for the big turn-out of spectators was deadly serious for competitors and Bou won from Marcelli and Busto while Abellan edged out Rabino and Pecháčková. However, due to technical issues it was agreed between all interested parties that points would not be awarded on this occasion.
With reigning Trial2 champion Jack Peace (Sherco) moving up to TrialGP this season, British rider Green – champion in 2023 – got his bid to regain the title off to a winning start with victory in both Races.
The twenty-three-year-old won the first race on a total of nine after defeating electric motorcycle-mounted 2022 champion Sondre Haga (GASGAS) from Norway on a tie-break. Britain’s Harry Turner (Sherco) was a fantastic third on twelve, one clear of French former TrialGP competitor Benoit Bincaz (Electric Motion) with Spain’s Arnau Farré (Sherco) fifth on fourteen.
With the sections fully dialled in, Green dropped his score to a solitary dab to win Race Two with his compatriot Harry Hemingway (Beta) improving to second on two marks lost after ending Race One a disappointing eighth, one
position behind his younger brother George Hemingway (Beta) who was making his class debut after taking backto-back Trial3 crowns in 2023 and 2024.
“The Trial was maybe a little easier than we expected,” said Green. “The second race was very close and to win both races today has made me very happy.”
Bincaz improved to third on four with Spain’s Miquel Gelabert (Honda), who was giving the new RTL Electric its FIM Trial World Championship debut after dropping down from TrialGP, climbing the leaderboard to fourth on seven, one ahead of Britain’s Jack Dance (GASGAS).
The highest-placed finisher in last season’s Trial2 Women class in action today, Italy’s Sara Trentini (TRRS) kept to the form book to win Race
One on twenty-eight with Swiss series newcomer Aylen Scalvedi (Montesa) taking second on thirty-one after coming out on top of a threeway tie-break with the British pairing of Arbon and Sophie Bailey (GASGAS).
In another incredibly close contest, Race Two saw Arbon win a tie-break with French rider Margaux Pena (Electric Motion) on twenty-five, one clear of Trentini, to take the series lead tied on points with Trentini.
“It was a tough day, but good,” said Arbon. “I wasn’t sure what to expect so I’m very happy to have the series lead.”
Trial3 saw Norwegian Jonas Jorgensen (Beta) win Race
One on ten, five ahead of a tie-break for second between Jin Kuroyama (Sherco) from Japan and Britain’s Harison Skelton (Scorpa) before America’s Ryon Land (Sherco) picked up the pace in Race Two, parting with just four marks to win by seven from Jorgensen and eight from Skelton.
“Today has been unbelievable,” said series leader Jorgensen. “It has been my dream from being very young and now finally I’m on top.”
DAY 2
Bou started the day in the scenic town of Benahavis, around twenty kilometres north-west of Marbella, in confident mood and established an early lead when he became the first and only rider over both days to conquer the massive step of section two, escaping with a brilliant single dab.
With his rivals all incurring a maximum, it was an advantage that the eighteen-time champion maintained all the way to the end of Race One with his total of four handing him victory ahead of Busto by a commanding fourteen marks with Aniol Gelabert (TRRS) matching his finish in yesterday’s opening race on twenty-eight to complete the all-Spanish top three.
Following his pair of secondplaced finishes on Saturday, Bou’s team-mate Gabriel Marcelli slipped to fourth on thirty-three, two clear of Italy’s Matteo Grattarola (Beta).
It was all change in Race Two when a refreshed Busto, who was disappointed with his pair of third-placed finishes on Saturday, took full advantage of a mid-race dip in form by Bou who picked up two maximums in the space of three sections to briefly drop to fourth behind Marcelli and Grattarola.
Leading Bou and Marcelli by eight marks with three sections to go, Busto then scored a maximum on the twisting rocky maze of section ten, but just one more mark lost over the final two sections ensured the twenty-seven-year-old ran out winner by three marks on a total of seventeen.
“Today started much better than yesterday,” said Busto.
adrift of Pecháčková – with Rabino losing ground in the championship in fourth on fourteen, one clear of Monnier.
Trial2 is always close and competitive and following his pair of race wins yesterday, Britain’s Billy Green (Scorpa) had a much tougher day. It was Bincaz, who this year has dropped down from TrialGP and gone electric, who won Race One on a tie-break from seventeen-year-old George Hemingway with Green one mark behind on fifteen followed by Harry Hemingway on sixteen and Spain’s Arnau Farré (Sherco) on eighteen.
Only twenty-ninth in Race One, Czech rider Fabien
staged an amazing comeback to win Race Two on a score of twelve, one ahead of Harry Hemingway and three clear of George Hemingway who won a three-way tie for third with Green – who retains the series lead – and Spain’s Miquel Gelabert (Honda) who is looking for consistency on the new RTL Electric machine.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” said George Hemingway, “I’m not sure I have the words to describe how I’m feeling. I’m very proud, now let’s try and keep this going and see what I can do.”
Among the pre-season favourites in Trial2 Women, Trentini started the day tied
“I was feeling much more like myself and I was able to put two good races together. My win in Race Two is very good for the championship and I’m looking forward to Portugal.”
An additional two marks on the final section dropped Grattarola to fourth on twentysix, one behind Marcelli who signed off with a clean, as Britain’s Jack Peace (Sherco) completed his debut weekend in TrialGP with a fighting fifth on thirty-one.
The result means Bou leaves Spain having already opened up a ten-point lead over Busto with Marcelli a further five points behind.
After slipping to a surprise fifth in Saturday’s TrialGP Women opening race, Abellan recovered to win Race Two and the twenty-five-year-old carried this momentum into today’s first race when her winning total of five was half that of Italy’s overnight class leader Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta).
Continuing to adapt well following her switch to twostroke power over the winter, France’s Naomi Monnier (Beta) was third on twelve, one ahead of Britain’s Kaytlyn Adshead (Sherco) with Czech rider Denisa Pecháčková (TRRS) fifth on fifteen.
Abellan held a slim lead for the first half of Race Two before a maximum on section eight handed control to Pecháčková. However, the seventeen-year-old dropped a five on the penultimate section and when Abellan went clean her second victory of the day – along with the championship lead – was assured with her score of six putting her four clear of the talented Czech rider.
“Today I am very, very happy,” said Abellan. “I hope I can continue like this and I am very excited for the rest of the season.”
A solid seventh in Race One, Britain’s Alice Minta (Beta) was third on thirteen – three
with British rider Matilda Arbon (Sherco) before the Italian claimed a commanding win in Race One on a total of twelve, seven clear of Spain’s Daniela Hernando (Beta) who won a tie-break from Margaux Pena (Electric Motion) as Arbon struggled to ninth.
Race Two saw Pena finish on nine to take a comfortable win from Trentini on seventeen and Britain’s Sophie Bailey (GASGAS) on nineteen and in a class where consistency will be key this season, Trentini now leads Pena by ten points with Arbon – who was seventh in Race Two – another eleven points off the pace in third.
“I’m really happy with my form today,” said Trentini. “My goal today was to have fun and it feels great to win.”
Setting the pace yesterday in Trial3 with one-two finishes, Norwegian Jonas Jorgensen (Beta) had to settle for second in the first race of the day after losing a tie-break with Japan’s Jin Kuroyama (Sherco) after the pair finished locked together on sixteen, four ahead of Britain’s Euan Sim (Sherco).
In Race Two he reestablished his dominance and extended his championship lead with a score of fourteen giving him victory by a single mark from the USA’s Ryon Land (Sherco), winner of Saturday’s second race, who emerged on top of a three-way tie-break
EVENT RESULTS
TRIALGP
DAY 1
1. Toni Bou (MON)
2. Gabriel Marcelli (MON)
3. Jaime Busto (GG)
4. Matteo Grattarola (BET)
5. Aniol Gelabert Roura (TRS)
6. Hugo Dufrese (BET)
7. Alex Canales Martos (MON)
8. Jack Peace (SHR)
DAY 2
1. Jaime Busto (GG)
2. Toni Bou (MON)
3. Gabriel Marcelli (MON)
4. Aniol Gelabert Roura (TRS)
5. Matteo Grattarola (BET)
6. Jack Peace (SHR)
7. Hugo Dufrese (BET)
8. Alex Canales Martos (MON)
TRIAL2
DAY 1
1. Billy Green (SCO)
2. Benoit Bincaz (EM)
3. Harry Hemingway (BET)
4. Harry Turner (SHR)
5. Sondre Haga (GG)
6. Arnau Farre (SHR)
7. Jack Dance (GG)
8. George Hemingway (BET)
9. Miquel Gelabert (HON)
10. Jarand Gunvaldse (TRS)
DAY 2
1. George Hemingway (BET)
2. Harry Hemingway (BET)
3. Billy Green (SCO)
4. Benoit Bincaz (EM)
5. David Fabian (BET)
6. Arnau Farre (SHR)
7. Miquel Gelabert (HON)
8. Mattia Spreafico (HON)
9. Jack Dance (GG)
10. Marco Mempor (TRS)
with Spain’s Oriol Garcia (Beta) and Harison Skelton (Scorpa) from Britain.
“This weekend has been wonderful,” said Jorgensen. “We will see what happens in Portugal, but I would be very happy with the same results.”
TRIALGP WOMEN
DAY 1
1. Andrea Sofia Rabino (BET)
2. Berta Abellan (SCO)
3. Denisa Pechackova (TRS)
4. Alice Minta (BET)
5. Kaytlyn Adshead (SHR)
6. Alessia Bacchetta 9GG)
7. Alycia Soyer (TRS)
8. Madeleine Hoover (GG)
9. Naomi Monnier (BET)
10. Alicia Robinson (BET)
DAY 2
1. Berta Abellan (SCO)
2. Andrea Sofia Rabino (BET)
3. Denisa Pechackova (TRS)
4. Naomi Monnier (BET)
5. Alice Minta (BET)
6. Kaytlyn Adshead (SHR)
7. Madeleine Hoover (GG)
8. Alycia Soyer (TRS)
9. Alessia Bacchetta (GG)
10. Alicia Robinson (BET)
round 2
portugal
The intense battle in Trial2 picked up where it left off in Spain last weekend with Miquel Gelabert (Honda) hitting top form on the new RTL Electric model to run two-one over the day’s pair of points-scoring races and American series newcomer Ryon Land (Sherco) topped both races in Trial3, but in Trial2 Women inconsistent performances meant no single rider was able to dominate.
Following its debut at the TrialGP of Spain, the ‘Power Section’ returned to add a dramatic final twist to the action for riders in the elite TrialGP and TrialGP Women classes and with valuable championship points up for grabs, the sizeable crowd assembled for the competition’s climax were treated to a string of all-action runs against the clock.
Heading to Viana do Castelo with a ten-point lead, thirtyeight-year-old Bou seized control of the day’s opening
race at section five. Rain leading up to the event ensured grip was in short supply and with the majority of sections plotted on a steep, rock-strewn wooded hillside, the sublime Spaniard had already incurred two maximums before his stunning clean on the fifth that took fives from the rest of the TrialGP field.
Further increasing his lead on section six, Bou could afford a late failure on section eleven to still win by five marks from Jaime Busto (GASGAS), but his total of twenty-three was a good indication of how tough conditions were as Italy’s Matteo Grattarola (Beta) took third from Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) on a tie-break on thirty-four, three clear of Alex Canales (Montesa).
Race Two followed a similar course with Bou gaining an early lead before Busto applied pressure in the closing stages, but Bou appeared to have his second victory of the day sewn up until another maximum on
the man-made section eleven –where Busto remained feet-up on both his visits – threatened to shake up the standings.
However, the eighteen-time champion kept his composure and made no mistake over section twelve’s giant wooden crates to ensure victory before a surprise five by Busto gave Bou a slightly flattering sixmark winning margin with his total of twenty-five clear evidence of another hard race.
“The second race was more difficult,” said Bou, “and I am super-happy with both victories as they are very important for the championship.”
Behind the leading pair it was too close to call until the final section with Aniol Gelabert (TRRS) finishing third on thirty-two – one ahead of Grattarola – with Canales completing the top five on thirty-nine as Britain’s Jack Peace (Sherco), in his debut season in the class, dropped from third to sixth with
maximums in the final two sections.
Marcelli had been in contention for a podium finish until a crash on the final step of section ten damaged his clutch and a further maximum on section eleven plus eight time penalties pushed him down to seventh.
Leading the TrialGP Women class by a slender four points following the TrialGP of Spain, Abellan had no answer to Rabino’s form in the day’s opening race with the eighteen-year-old Italian parting with nine to come home two ahead of the twentyfive-year-old Spaniard.
Britain’s Alice Minta (Beta) was third on eighteen, one clear of Denisa Pecháčková (TRRS) from the Czech Republic with Kaytlyn Adshead (Sherco) fifth on twenty-four.
Just as she had on the opening day in Spain, Abellan fought back in Race Two and after taking the lead on section four that twisted around and over rocks set into an imposing slippery banking she maintained her concentration until the end with her final score of nine giving her an eventual eight-mark cushion over Rabino.
“I didn’t start too well,” said Abellan. “My body positioning and throttle control were not right, but the second race went much better and I felt very good on the bike.”
A disappointing sixth in Race One, Naomi Monnier (Beta) improved to third at her second attempt on a score of twentythree after winning a tie-break with Pecháčková with Adshead fifth on twenty-four.
Run against the clock and with three points for victory, two for second and one for third, while providing a hugely
entertaining finale for fans the Power Section ensured no let-up in the tension for TrialGP and TrialGP Women competitors.
With just Bou and Busto left to go, Grattarola led the TrialGP class after skipping his way across the wooden blocks and crates with a time of 28:83 before Bou recorded a time of 25:81, narrowly ahead of Busto who slotted into second with a 26:21.
In TrialGP Women it was Abellan who took the three points with a time of 25:01 to extend her series with Adshead in second with 25:14 and Italy’s Alessia Bacchetta (GASGAS) who posted 25:16 in third.
After dropping down from TrialGP to Trial2 for 2025, Miquel Gelabert looked tentative first time out in Spain last weekend, but in Portugal he showed his class and after
finishing two marks behind Harry Hemingway (Beta) in Race One on a score of ten he dominated Race Two with a total of five seeing him come home eight clear of George Hemingway.
“I’m super-happy,” said Gelabert. “After last weekend I was not pleased with myself so today’s results have been great and I want to keep going like this.”
In possibly the series’ most competitive class, the slightest loss of concentration can prove pivotal and in the opening race just two marks separated third-placed Mattia Spreafico (GASGAS) on fourteen from former champion Billy Green (Scorpa) – who led after the opening round – and his fellow British rider Harry Turner (Sherco) who tied on sixteen.
It was even closer in Race Two with Britain’s Jack Dance losing a tie-break with George Hemingway for second, one mark ahead of new championship leader Harry Hemingway and two clear of Norway’s Sondre Haga (GASGAS).
With riders’ fortunes varying significantly from race to race in Trial2 Women, Norway’s Wilde Moi (Beta) won the day’s overall on a tie-break with five-two scores giving her the edge over Britain’s Sophie Bailey (GASGAS) who recorded four-three finishes.
Championship leader Sara Trentini (TRRS) from Italy backed up a second in Race One with sixth in Race Two to increase her advantage over Race One winner Margaux Pena from France (Electric Motion) by a point as Spain’s Daniela Hernando (Beta) took victory second time out.
Renewing their battle from the previous weekend, Trial3 pace-setters Land, Jonas Jorgensen (Beta) from Norway and Japan’s Jin Kuroyama (Sherco) filled the top three positions in both races. Land was seven clear of series leader Jorgensen in Race One and two clear of Kuroyama –the nephew of former Japanese star Kenichi – in Race Two as a pair of fourth-placed finishes kept Britain’s Harison Skelton (Scorpa) in contention.
“I feel like my dreams are coming true,” said Land. “My first race was amazing so I went into Race Two full of confidence.”
DAY 2
Continuing his fine form from yesterday, nineteenyear-old British rider Harry Hemingway (Beta) put in a polished performance to take a career-first overall win in Trial2 and establish a six-point series lead with two-one finishes across today’s two races while Spain’s Daniela Hernando (Beta) came out on top in Trial2 Women and America’s Ryon Land (Sherco) took his second overall win of the weekend in Trial3.
Highlighting just how close the competition is this season, victory in the opening race in all five classes was only determined after tie-breaks.
With conditions much drier for today’s two races, it was too close to call in TrialGP during the opening stages of Race One with all the front-runners incurring early maximums as grip remained elusive on the steep, rocky hillside overlooking the city of Viana do Castelo on the Atlantic coast, close to the border with Spain.
At the halfway point Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) shared the lead on eleven with his fellow Spaniard Jaime Busto (GASGAS), one mark ahead of Bou and Italian veteran Matteo Grattarola (Beta), before the defending champion reeled off five cleans and a three in the remaining six sections to draw level with Busto and take the decision on a tie-break.
After a bruising day on Saturday, Marcelli was relieved to return to the podium in third a further mark adrift with Grattarola dropping to fifth behind Aniol Gelabert (TRRS) after signing off with four maximums in the final five sections.
Race Two was all about Bou from the get-go. Taking the lead with a masterclass in precision on section three that resulted in a dab where everyone else other than his team-mate Marcelli took a
maximum, the thirty-eightyear-old needed a three on the following section that had stopped everyone at their first attempt before completing the race for the loss of just two more marks.
“I’m super-happy with the weekend with victory in both races yesterday and today,” said Bou. “It’s been great for us and the mood is very good in the team.”
This time around it was Grattarola who was applying the most pressure on the leader and his final total of twelve gave him a three-mark cushion ahead of Busto with Marcelli
fourth on eighteen as Britain’s Jack Peace (Sherco) snatched fifth on twenty-seven with a cool, clinical clean of the final man-made section.
Renewing her rivalry from yesterday with Rabino, Abellan had to settle for second behind the eighteenyear-old on a tie-break as the pair ended Race One locked together on eighteen, two ahead of the Czech Republic’s Denisa Pecháčková (TRRS) with Naomi Monnier (Beta) from France fourth on twentyone, three clear of Britain’s Kaytlyn Adshead (Sherco).
With the sections dialled in, Abellan cruised clear in Race Two with her total of seven contrasting favourably with Rabino’s score of fifteen with Italy’s Alessia Bacchetta (GASGAS) moving into contention in third on sixteen before a five-mark gap to her compatriot Martina Gallieni (Sherco) who took fourth from Adshead on a tie-break.
“The first race was not so good, but I’m very happy to win the second,” said Abellan. “Portugal has been good –I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Run against the clock, the Power Section for the premier
TrialGP and TrialGP Women competitors once again put a dramatic seal on proceedings with Busto taking the maximum three points up for grabs with a time of 24:15 ahead of Marcelli’s 27:49 and Grattarola on 27:91. After catching his sump jumping across the wooden crates, Bou failed to finish and was clearly frustrated to miss out on another valuable scoring opportunity – although his performances this weekend have allowed him to extend his series lead to twenty-two points.
In TrialGP Women neither Abellan or Rabino were able to capitalise on the additional points on offer as Monnier posted a fastest time of 20:65 to win from Adshead’s 21:60 and Alice Minta (Beta) who clocked 21:92.
A clear winner in Trial2 yesterday on the new RTL Electric model, Miquel Gelabert (Honda) picked up where he left off in Race One and claimed victory from overnight championship leader Harry Hemingway on a tie-break after the pair ended the morning’s action locked together on six, five clear of former champion Billy Green (Scorpa) from Britain.
Hemingway then struck back in Race Two, taking a careerfirst overall win in the class and strengthening his series lead following a tie-break with Green after the pair both finished on two with Gelabert third on three, one mark ahead of France’s Benoit Bincaz (Electric Motion).
“This is my third year in this class,” said Hemingway, “and I’ve waited so long for this win. I’ve been close so many times so I’m over the moon to finally get it.”
Leading the Trial2 Women class at the beginning of the day, Italy’s Sara Trentini (TRRS) started with victory in Race One on a tie-break with Spain’s Daniela Hernando (Beta) after the pair both dropped thirteen to finish
three ahead of rising French star Margaux Pena (Electric Motion).
In a repeat of her performance yesterday, Hernando won the second race with her score of fifteen putting her one mark ahead of Pena who won a tie-break from Britain’s Sophie Bailey (GASGAS), but Trentini’s fourth-placed finish means she extends her class lead to twelve points.
Fresh from a dynamic double win yesterday, Land completed his very positive weekend in Portugal with one-two finishes putting him on top to take the series lead away from Norway’s Jonas Jorgensen (Beta) who endured a tough second day.
“I’ve had a really good time today,” said Land. “I went into today feeling really confident and I’m very happy with how the weekend went.”
EVENT RESULTS
TRIALGP
DAY 1
1. Toni Bou (MON)
2. Jaime Busto (GG)
3. Matteo Grattarola (BET)
4. Aniol Gelabert Roura (TRS)
5. Alex Canales Martos (MON)
6. Gabriel Marcelli (MON)
7. Jack Peace (SHR)
8. Hugo Dufrese (BET)
DAY 2
1. Toni Bou (MON)
2. Jaime Busto (GG)
3. Matteo Grattarola (BET)
4. Gabriel Marcelli (MON)
5. Aniol Gelabert Roura (TRS)
6. Jack Peace (SHR)
7. Hugo Dufrese (BET)
8. Alex Canales Martos (MON)
TRIAL2
DAY 1
1. Miquel Gelabert (HON)
2. Harry Hemingway (BET)
3. George Heminway (BET)
4. Sondre Haga (GG)
5. Billy Green (SCO)
6. Harry Turner (SHR)
7. Jack Dance (GG)
8. Mattia Spreafico (GG)
9. Benoit Bincaz (EM)
10. Arnau Farre (SHR)
DAY 2
1. Harry Hemingway (BET)
2. Miquel Gelabert (HON)
3. Billy Green (SCO)
4. Benoit Bicaz (EM)
5. Arnau Farre (SHR)
6. Jack Dance (GG)
7. David Fabian (BET)
8. Harry Turner (SHR)
9. George Hemingway (BET)
10. Gerard Trueba (BET)
With a third and a first, Britain’s Harison Skelton (Scorpa) kept day-long pressure on the American series newcomer with Jin Kuroyama from Japan going two-three on the day as Jorgensen struggled to fourteen-five finishes. The results give Land an elevenpoint lead over Kuroyama with Jorgensen a further five off the pace, two clear of Skelton.
TRIALGP WOMEN
DAY 1
1. Berta Abellan (SCO)
2. Andrea Sofia Rabino (BET)
3. Denisa Pechackova (TRS)
4. Naomi Monnier (BET)
5. Alice Minta (BET)
6. Kaytlyn Adshead (SHR)
7. Alessia Bacchetta (GG)
8. Alycia Soyer (TRS)
9. Martina Gallieni (SHR)
10. Alicia Robinson (BET)
DAY 2
1. Berta Abellan (SCO)
2. Andrea Sofia Rabino (BET)
3. Alessia Bacchetta (GG)
4. Kaytlyn Adshead (SHR)
5. Naomi Monnier (BET)
6. Martina Gallieni (SHR)
7. Alice Minta (BET)
8. Denisa Pechackova (TRS)
9. Alycia Soyer (TRS)
10. Alicia Robinson (BET)
BEN KELLEY TAKES THE TENNESSEE OVERALL WIN
The second day of racing at The Specialized Old Gray, round five of the 2025 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, saw exceptional weather as sunshine filled the sky and temperatures were perfect for a day of racing.
As the afternoon race got underway and the XC1 Open Pro class took off it would be
Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn earning the $250 Landers KTM XC1 Holeshot Award. As the pack of riders headed into the woods, the next three hours would be full of intense battles and great racing.
After a 15 second penalty FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley would put together a strong performance as he fought his way to the front of the pack. Kelley steadily
moved his way up, making the necessary passes to take over the lead on lap four, and hold that position until the checkered flag flew. Kelley would capture his third XC1 win of the season, and second-straight overall win in Tennessee.
FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers’ defending XC2 250 Pro Champion Grant Davis continued to battle at the front once again as he held the lead on adjusted time for the majority of the race. However, after a crash later in the race Davis would cross the finish line to take second overall on the day, and the XC2 class win.
After starting inside the top five, AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell would continue to push forward throughout the race. Russell would find himself running second at the halfway point, but he would ultimately be unable to run down Kelley to battle for the
overall win. Russell would come through to finish second in XC1 and third overall on the day.
Enduro Engineering Triumph Racing’s Ricky Russell would put his Triumph motorcycle on the podium for this first time at round five in Tennessee. Russell made a statement as he battled back from an eighth place start to finish third in XC1 and fourth overall on the day.
Rounding out the top five overall finishers was XC2 250 Pro competitor, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes. Barnes would face a battle back-and-forth for the majority of the race, but he would prevail on the last lap earning fifth overall and second in XC2.
Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig Delong put in a solid ride at round five as he finished fourth in XC1 and sixth overall
KAYLA BOLTON MACK FAINT WORDS PHOTOS
LEFT : Craig DeLong (342) RIGHT (clockwise) : Jordan Ashburn (3), Josh Strang (7), Kailub Russell (557), Steward Baylor Jr (514), Grant Davis (1)
on the day. Delong would start inside the top 10 and gradually make his way closer towards the front of the group. Rounding out the top five XC1 Open Pro finishers was AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper. As Draper got his momentum rolling in Tennessee, the New Zealander would cross the finish line fifth in his class and seventh overall on the day.
Holding onto the sixth place position in the XC1 Open Pro class was Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Josh Strang. At one point Strang would find himself battling back from tenth place in the class, but as he found his flow through the technical course, he would regain the positions he once lost, earning him eighth overall on the day.
Coming through to take third in the XC2 250 Pro class was FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers’ Angus Riordan. After feeling a bit under the weather earlier in the week, Riordan went out and gave it everything he had at round five. Riordan would push himself all the way to the end of the race where he salvaged a third in class and ninth overall on the day. Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Nicholas DeFeo
would come through to round out the top 10 overall finishers and fourth in the XC2 class after battling inside the top five XC2 competitors for the greater part of the race.
Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Grant Baylor returned to racing after a pre-season injury left him sidelined for the first part of the season. G. Baylor would finish seventh in XC1, while brother and teammate, Steward Baylor would have a good start
and lead the first couple laps of the race until a radiator issue came into play, and he had to make an unexpected longer pit stop. S. Baylor would finish eighth in XC1 and 12th overall on the day. Defending Champion FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir would be sidelined after his fall at the previous round.
TOP : Korie Steede (444)
BOTTOM : Ricky Russell (212)
RIGHT : Tayla Jones (713)
As the XC3 125 Pro-Am class took off it was Marionville Powersports/Hinson/Fly Racing’s James Jenkins earning the $100 Lojak Cycle Sales XC3 Holeshot Award to start out the day and taking the early lead in the race. Jenkins would hold the lead for the first two laps of the race, but Bonecutter OffRoad/GASGAS-backed racer, Jonathan Johnson was ready to strike and did so on lap three of the race.
Johnson would hold the lead for the rest of the race, crossing the line to take the class win, followed by James Jenkins taking second. Marionville Powersports/XC Gear/Moose Racing’s Huck Jenkins would battle backand-forth to maintain the last podium spot, which he did as he crossed the line third in XC3.
The Top Amateur podium would be a 250 A class sweep at The Specialized Old Gray GNCC as Joseph Cunningham took the class win and finished 14th overall on the day, while Gavin Simon came through second in class and earned 16th overall. Chase Landers would round out the class
podium with a third in 250 A and a 17th overall finishing position.
As the morning race took off, the WXC class would rocket to the first turn with Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede grabbing herself the $100 Landers KTM WXC Holeshot Award. Steede would lead the women into the woods and throughout the duration of the race. However, Steede would not have an easy race as both Phoenix Honda Racing’s Tayla Jones and Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team
Green’s Rachael Archer would apply the pressure throughout the race.
Steede would maintain the lead, crossing the finish line to earn her second win of the season and overtake the WXC points lead. Jones would try to apply the pressure during the second half of the race, but she would be unable to make any passes on Steede. Jones would come through to finish second overall and in the WXC class. Archer would continue to push and cross the line third in the WXC class.
XC1
1. Ben Kelley (KTM)
2. Kailub Russell (YAM)
3. Ricky Russell (TRI)
4. Craig DeLong (HSQ)
5. Liam Draper (YAM)
6. Josh Strang (BET)
7. Grant Baylor (KAW)
8. Steward Baylor Jr (KAW)
9. Jordan Ashburn (GG)
10. Ryder Lafferty (HON)
EVENT RESULTS
XC2
1. Grant Davis (KTM)
2. Cody Barnes (HON)
3. Angus Riordan (KTM)
4. Nicholas Defeo (KAW)
5. Brody Johnson (HON)
6. Jhak Walker (BET)
7. Michael Delosa (YAM)
8. Hunter BUsh (KAW)
9. Toby Cleveland (HSQ)
10. Layton Smail (KAW)
WXC
1. Korie Steede (HSQ)
2. Tayla Jones (HON)
3. Rachael Archer (KAW)
4. Shelby Turner (GG)
5. Brooke Cosner (KAW)
6. Addison Harris (KTM)
7. Carly Lee (KTM)
8. Danielle McDonald (YAM)
9. Ellie Winland (YAM)
10. Addison Elliott (KAW)
BAYLOR VICTORIOUS IN THE OHIO MUD
KAYLA BOLTON MACK FAINT WORDS PHOTOS
The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, continued racing with slick, muddy conditions on Sunday, May 4 in St. Clairsville, Ohio with the Kenda Tires Powerline Park GNCC.
As the afternoon race got underway, Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Steward Baylor got off to a good start, earning himself the $250 Landers KTM XC1 Open Pro Holeshot Award. Baylor would continue to lead the opening lap, but soon Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn would make his way up to battle with Baylor for the remainder of the race.
Ashburn would physically hold the lead on the second and third laps of the race, while Baylor battled back and would be able to make the pass back into the lead with one lap to go. As the two headed out on the last lap, Baylor would continue to push ahead of Ashburn but as they made
their way towards the finish line Ashburn would close the gap until a mistake right before the finish line put him out of contention on making the pass for the win.
Baylor would cross the line to earn his second overall win of the season, while Ashburn came through to finish second overall just 13 seconds off of Baylor.
XC2 250 Pro class competitor, FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Angus Riordan would have to work his way up through the pack after he started back in fourth on the opening lap. Riordan would continue to push, making the move into the XC2 lead for the last three laps. Riordan would continue to push forward and as he crossed the line would finish third overall in race, while earning his class win.
AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper had a consistent day through the slick, yet tacky conditions throughout the Ohio course. Draper would hold the third place position in the XC1 Open Pro class for the duration
of the race, ultimately crossing the line third in his class and fourth overall on the day.
Finishing fifth overall was XC2 250 Pro racer, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes. As the race got underway Barnes would find himself holding the lead on lap two, but he would soon face a battle with Riordan for that number one spot. After battling off and on, Barnes would cross the finish line to finish second in his class.
FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis would earn the $150 Landers KTM XC2 250 Pro Holeshot Award to start his day, and he would battle within the top three in the XC2 class for the majority of the race. Coming to the finish line, Davis would be unable to make any further passes and would finish third in XC2 and sixth overall on the day.
Coming through to take seventh overall, and fourth in XC1 was Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Josh Strang. Strang would have a
steady day as he continued to battle inside the top five throughout the duration of the race. Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig DeLong would make his way up to fifth in XC1 and eighth overall on the day after starting back in tenth place position.
Rocket Racing/Bonecutter OffRoad’s Brody Johnson would battle back to earn fourth in the XC2 250 Pro class, while finishing ninth overall on the day at round six. After leading early on in the race, Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Joshua Toth would cross the line fifth in XC2, and he would round out the top 10 overall finishers of the day in Ohio. It was a rough day for the overall points leader as FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley finished eleventh overall.
In the XC3 125 Pro-Am class it was Marionville Powersports/Hinson/Fly Racing’s James Jenkins earning the $100 Lojak Cycle Sales XC3 125 Pro-Am Holeshot Award, however the Bonecutter Off-Road/ GASGAS-backed rider, Jonathan Johnson was right there to overtake the lead on the opening lap. Johnson would not look back for the rest of the race as he continued to push. Johnson would come through to earn second-straight win in the XC3 class.
Marionville Powersports/XC Gear/Moose Racing’s Huck Jenkins would make a last
lap pass to takeover second from Isaiah Brown. Jenkins would hold on to second as he crossed the finish line, with Brown holding third and rounding out the top three XC3 finishers of the day.
The Kenda Tires Powerline Park Top Amateur honors would go to Chase Landers who battled throughout the day to finish 14th overall and earn the 250 A class win. Joseph Cunningham would be second on the Top Amateur podium with a 15th overall finishing position and a second place finish in the 250 A class. Cole Whitmer rounded out the top three Top Amateurs as he came
EVENT RESULTS
XC1
1. Steward Baylor Jr (KAW)
2. Jordan Ashburn (GG)
3. Liam Draper (YAM)
4. Josh Strang (BET)
5. Craig DeLong (HSQ)
6. Ben Kelley (KTM)
7. Grant Baylor (KAW)
8. Ryder Lafferty (HON)
9. Evan Smith (YAM)
10. Michael Witkowski (HON)
XC2
1. Angus Riordan (KTM)
2. Cody Barnes (HON)
3. Grant Davis (KTM)
4. Brody Johnson (HON)
5. Josh Toth (KAW)
6. Nicholas Defeo (KAW)
7. Michael Delosa (YAM)
8. Toby Cleveland (HSQ)
9. Hunter Bush (KAW)
10. Layton Smail (KAW)
through 16th overall, while also earning the Open A class win.
As the morning race got underway and the WXC line took off, it was Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki Team Green’s Rachael Archer grabbing the $100 Landers KTM WXC Holeshot Award. Archer would continue to lead the way for the duration of the race, crossing the line with over a two-minute lead on her fellow WXC competitors.
Gary Fridley would come through to earn second overall on the day and take home the Super Senior A (45+) class
win, while Colton McQuarrie came in third overall in the morning race and also took his 150 B Schoolboy (12-17) class win in Ohio.
Enduro Engineering-backed Shelby Turner would battle back-and-forth with Phoenix Racing Honda’s Tayla Jones throughout the race. Turner would be able to make the pass stick and hold on to finish second in the WXC class, while Jones rounded out the top three WXC finishers at the Kenda Tires Powerline Park GNCC.
WXC
3.
4. Danielle McDonald (YAM)
5. Ava Silvestri (GG)
6. Addison Elliott (KAW)
7. Korie Steede (HSQ)
8. Carly Lee (KTM)
9. Ashlee Gage (KAW)
10. Emma Hasbell (BET)
1. Rachael Archer (KAW)
2. Shelby Turner (GG)
Tayla Jones (HON)
DRAPER OUT FRONT AT HIGH VOLTAGE
WORDS PHOTOS
Am Pro Yamaha’s Liam Draper relied on consistency to take the overall win at this weekend’s High Voltage Sprint Enduro on the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia in a very hectic and eventful weekend. Series points leader FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir’s absence from the race due to a head injury suffered a few weeks ago left the door wide open for a few of the up-and-comers to take podium finishes. And many of them did. With five rounds in the books and only two rounds remaining, round five of the 2025 US Sprint Enduro Series, which also doubled as the ISDE East Coast Qualifier, has the series coming down to the wire, creating some high drama as several top positions are still at stake.
Saturday’s enduro test was tricky at best and caused several top riders to fall and lose valuable time. And while Saturday’s weather was windy, yet sunny, a mini tornado hit the pits Saturday night,
blowing down team canopy’s, along with the signup area and score equipment, forcing the promotors to clear fallen trees as well as recover damaged equipment. To top it off, the scores from Saturday to Sunday were topsy-turvy, with top riders finishing outside the top five on Saturday but then returning to the top of the standings on Sunday, making consistency a priority.
Draper was the most consistent of all, finishing first on Saturday and third on Sunday to grab the overall win for the weekend.
“I rode good yesterday but today was tough, starting with the first cross test, which was slick. But ultimately, I needed more speed in the woods test because Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes was killing it in there,” said Draper. “I’m happy to get the overall win but bummed to not win both days. But I was solid; I had a good day on Saturday, although Cody had a little bike issue in the
second to last test. But I was solid all day yesterday and I felt really good. Then today it was a whole different story. The two-tracks were really super slick and Cody just kind of worked me a little bit in the enduro test, but I got it back on him in the cross test and then in the last enduro test we matched each other but he got the win for the day which kind bummed me out. I was hoping to win both days but I got the overall victory which is cool.”
Usually fighting for the top spot, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis was all the way down in ninth at the end of Saturday’s event, however a thumb injury put a damper on his first day’s performance. At the end of the two-day event, Davis finished second overall and first in the Pro 2 division.
“Thursday, I crashed and hurt my thumb. And yesterday in the first test I hurt it really bad again,” said Davis. “I was just dealing with a lot of pain all weekend and today I'm like ‘I
SHAN MOORE ART PEPIN
: Liam Draper (198)
can't let these boys beat me’, so I came out swinging and I just got the pain out of my mind and just tried really hard all day and I gained it back. I just tried to stay smooth and try not make any dumb mistakes. I was a little bit slower than Cody, he got me, but next time I can't let this happen, I got to beat him.”
In just his second Sprint Enduro of the year, Flatrock Motorclub Factory GasGas Racing’s Jason Tino grabbed a podium finish, taking third overall for the weekend after taking a second on Saturday and a sixth on Sunday. He also finished second in the Pro 2 class.
“Saturday was dry all day, but we got hit with rain probably about 8:00 PM, it was like a hurricane tore the whole place down,” said Tino. “As far as the racing, I usually do better in the cross test and this weekend I took the fastest cross test time of the weekend. The enduro test was honestly pretty slick. It was like it was hard packed slick on Sunday. It rained during the first test and was really greasy and the second and third test were just as slick as it was Saturday. I was having a really good first cross test of the day and right towards the end I tucked the front and couldn't get the bike started and lost like 20 seconds.”
Husqvarna rider Toby Cleveland just missed the overall podium, finishing just three seconds behind Tino, but garnered third in the Pro 2 class.
“I had a rough first two tests and then I started riding pretty good,” said Cleveland. “At the end of day one I came up in third. I passed Gavin Simon in the last enduro test of the day and then today I had a good first cross test but in my enduro test I wrecked twice and fell back about 20 seconds. I ended up second in the rest of the tests in the Pro 2 class and came out third in the class and fourth overall."
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Cooper Jones parlayed a third on Saturday and a seventh on Sunday into fifth overall and fourth in the Pro 2 division. The KTM rider has been turning in some impressive rides this year and will undoubtedly be challenging for some overall podiums.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong had a rough weekend, going 8-5 got sixth overall.
“I had a couple little mishaps that kind of set me back,” said DeLong. “I crashed in first test of the day and had a little bit of a mechanical issue yesterday. I lost about 30 seconds in the one test so that kind of set me back in the overall but still it felt like I was riding good when I wasn't making mistakes. So I still need to be a little better but I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to kind of being more in the mix so we're getting there.”
Phoenix Racing Honda’s JoJo Cunningham was the first of the Pro-Am riders in seventh overall after finishing sixth and eighth over the weekend. The Honda rider has been showing flashes of brilliance throughout the year and it won’t be long until he is challenging in the Pro classes.
Gavin (Hsq) was 5-11 for eighth overall, missing out on seventh overall by just two seconds. Meanwhile, FMF/ KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley finished with a seventh and a 16th for ninth overall.
“On Saturday, I started off slow but picked it up as the day went on and was able to win that last enduro test,” said Kelley. “But I was still off the
pace. Then today, it's a little different conditions, a little muddier but I felt OK that first test; I was doing pretty good, keeping Liam in my sights and then near the end I crashed and as I was falling down I ran a stake that went through my helmet and hit me in the jaw so that was rough. I had to make sure I was OK after that one and get my bike going so I lost a lot of time there and then yeah I guess I was just off the pace.”
Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes won Sunday’s event but DNF’d Saturday’s race due to mechanical problems.
“I had a problem at that was something electrical on Saturday so I wasn't able to
Ben Kelley (530), Korie Steede (444), JoJo Cunningham (501), Jason Tino (220)
finish the day,” said Barnes, “But I got it all together on Sunday and got the win."
The top Amateur for the weekend with an overall win in the Open A class was Ben Nelko.
Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Korie Steede beat out Aussie Tayla Jones by 14 seconds to win the Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Korie Steede won the Women’s Pro Division.
OVERALL - PRO 1
1. Liam Draper (YAM)
2. Craig DeLong (HSQ)
3. Ben Kelley (KTM)
4. Max Gerston (BET)
5. Cody Barnes (HON)
“Yesterday I started off slow,” said Steede. “I was making a lot of mistakes and Tayla (Jones) was riding really good so it was really tight out there and then again today I fixed some of my mistakes. We both went down a couple times in the first cross test it was pretty
icy out there but I just cleaned up my mistakes and got a little bit more comfortable and tried to just push."
Rieju’s Rachel Gutish rounded out the podium with Ellie Wineland in fourth.
OVERALL - PRO 2
1. Grant Davis (KTM)
Jason Tino (GG)
Toby Cleveland (HSQ)
Cooper Jones (KTM)
Gavis Simon (HSQ)
Brody Johnson (HON) 7. Collier Martinez (KAW)
8. Will Sievenpiper (KSQ) 9. Trevor Maley (KTM)
OVERALL - PRO WOMEN
1. Korie Steede (HSQ)
2. Tayla Jones (HON)
3. Rachel Gutish (RJU)
4. Ellie Winland (YAM)
BARNES CROWNED KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!
ROUND 6
SHAN MOORE ART PEPIN WORDS PHOTOS
Phoenix Honda Racing’s Cody Barnes and Am Pro Yamaha’s Liam Draper couldn’t have been more competitive over the two days of competition at this weekend’s King of the Mountain Sprint Enduro in Kingwood, West Virginia. Barnes came out on top of the opening day’s event, while Draper won day two. After tabulations for the two days of racing were made, Barnes took a 0.592-second victory over Draper on Saturday, while Draper came back and won Sunday’s event by 2.5 seconds over Barnes, which gave Barnes his first-ever Pro 1 Overall Sprint Victory by 1.5 seconds over Draper.
On Saturday, Barnes seemed to have the upper hand in the cross test, winning two of three cross tests, in addition to one of the enduro tests. Meanwhile, Draper won two tests, one enduro and one cross.
Barnes was obviously ecstatic with his first overall win.
“It sucked to lose today (Sunday) by just 0.5 seconds, but I was able to get it done with the overall for the weekend which was the goal,” said Barnes. “It came down to some really close racing and it could have gone either way. I had a tip-over in the enduro test and that made me ride pretty timid the next time through. They were not bad crashes, it was of kind of just tuck the front and nothing major. I’m just happy to finally get this one in the bag. It was a close one.”
Draper took his runner-up finish in stride, having already racked up three overall wins on the season.
“That was a good one, huh?” said Draper. “It was a little muddy yesterday and the cross was quite wet but today it dried out a lot in the woods was good. It chewed out quite a lot and there's a lot of trees
where it's getting exposed just because it’s a new property.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Lander’s Grant Davis went into Sunday’s even with the lead, as expected. A two-second lead over Toby Cleveland. On Sunday, Davis got on the gas and began to stretch his, eventually winning the Pro 2 class and finishing third overall for the weekend.
“I haven't been happy with my past two sprints,” said Davis. “I got the win the past two races, but I still been a little off. I just needed to work on some stuff and get better for the last one.”
Toby Cleveland (Hsq) was second on day one (behind Grant Davis) in the Pro 2 class and fourth on day two, but it was still a tight race between the top five.
“I was I was riding good the first day and I didn't hit the ground and they did and that
Korie Steede (444), Cody Barnes (99), Liam Draper (198), Tayla Jones (713), Danielle McDonald (261)
was keeping me right there with Grant, but he ended up getting me by .4-second,” said Cleveland. “On day two, I hit the ground in tests three and four and I knew the win was out of reach and then I just stayed off the ground for rest of the day to bring home second in class.” Cleveland was fourth overall.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong was slightly off his game in the new terrain but still managed to round out the top five overall.
“I gotta find a place to pick up some speed,” said DeLong. “There were some blown-out berms out there so I knew some of the guys were getting a little sketchy. I can go fast for three hours; I just got to work on my sprints.”
Cooper went 3-3 on the weekend and claimed the final Pro 2 podium position by 0.8 seconds ahead of Gavin Simon (Hsq) and sixth overall.
Simon finished seventh overall, ahead of Phoenix Honda Racing’s JoJo Cunningham. Meanwhile, Enduro Engineering GasGas’ Cole Whitmer rounded out the top 10.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Korie Steede won both days of competition to claim the overall win in the in the Women’s Pro class. Phoenix Honda Racing’s Tayla Jones and Danielle McDonald (Yam), riding in her firstever sprint race, duked it out
PRO 1
over the runner-up slot, with McDonald getting the nod after a very close race between the two riders. Rieju USA’s Rachel Gutish finished fourth.
“The cross test was very fast and super wet in some areas,” said Steede. “It's very difficult to be able to read the track and try to determine where you could really push and where you need to be more lenient with your speed. I had to some good crashes; I was super tight this weekend and everybody was going really fast. We were sending it and beating a lot of the guy’s scores. It was a really good race.”
EVENT RESULTS
PRO 2
PRO WOMEN
1. Korie Steede (HSQ) 2. Tayla Jones (HON) 3. Danielle McDonald (YAM) 4. Rachel Gutish (RJU)
1. Cody Barnes (HON)
Liam Draper (YAM)
Craig DeLong (HSQ)
Tyler Braniff (YAM)
1. Grant Davis (KTM)
Toby Cleveland (HSQ)
Cooper Jones (KTM)
Gavin Simon (HSQ)
Brody Johnson (HON)
Collier Martinez (KAW)
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