Tag Archives: 300RR

NewsNew

JONNY WALKER DOMINATES ENDUROCROSS OPENER

Jonny Walker swept the opening occasion of the EnduroCross schedule on his Beta 300RR 2-stroke. “I was quietly confident coming in, you know I’ve worked on feeling good and, honestly, last year, I was coming off of two operations and I finished the first round in eighth. So to start this year with a win is huge for me. I knew I was riding good, so I’m really happy with how tonight has gone.”
Story and pictures by Shan Moore

The IRC Tire EnduroCross Series offered by Progressive visited Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, for the opening spherical of its six-round collection. At the top of a full night time of thrilling race, the UK’s Jonny Walker picked up the place he left off final 12 months ‑ with a win. In truth, the Beta USA-backed rider dominated the occasion, going 1-1-1 in his three motos, simply topping runner-up FactoryOne Sherco’s Cody Webb’s 7-2-3 tally and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Ryder LeBlond’s 5-3-4.

Walker added to his domination of the occasion by posting the quickest time in hot-laps, forward of final 12 months’s title rival FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart, and Webb, setting the beginning order for the primary moto. Webb’s teammate, Cooper Abbott and manufacturing unit GasGas rider Taddy Blazusiak, have been fourth and fifth. According to the highest riders, the Everett, Washington course was a extremely technical one, and a course that required not solely finesse, however consistency, which Walker had in spades.

A shot on the podium would imply Cody Webb must end one higher than Rockstar Husqvarna’s Ryder Leblond and two higher than FMF KTM’s Trystan Hart within the last moto. He ended up third within the moto,  second total for the night time on his Sherco 300 2-stroke.

Hart took the early lead in moto one, adopted carefully by Walker and Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker, the collection 2021 champ. Walker put the stress on Hart all through the race, though he by no means led till the ultimate flip of the next-to-last lap, when Hart misplaced his entrance finish and went down, gifting Walker first place. Walker held on for the win, whereas Hart adopted in second, and Haaker completed third.

Ryder LeBlond (third Overall): “I wasn’t the fastest out there tonight, although I put myself in a good position and that’s what’s required in this championship. We saw how important consistency was last season, so I am really happy to come away from round one with a really strong result on the podium.”

In moto two, the order is reversed from the opening moto, so Walker had final decide on the gate, simply forward of Webb and LeBlond. Abbott got here away with the lead early within the race, whereas Walker, Hart and Webb have been mired in mid-pack, then Walker was finest at passing on the technical course and he the lead by the mid-way level, with Webb working his technique to an eventual second place, whereas the ever-consistent LeBlond completed third.

Trystan Hart (fifth Overall): “My day started off pretty good here at round one. I’m really excited to be back racing the EnduroCross championship this year after coming so close to the title last year. I was able to finish in P2 for both the Hot Lap and the opening moto, and then from there, honestly, I just struggled. Disappointing night to finish up fifth, but we’ll regroup as a team and come out stronger in Arizona for the next round.”

Hart nonetheless had an opportunity heading into the ultimate moto, Walker took the lead early and Hart was solely in a position to muster an eighth-place end. In the ultimate outcomes, Walker took the general with a 1-1-1 moto rating, with Webb second at 7-2-3 and LeBlond in third with 5-3-4.

Colton Haaker (4th Overall): “First round here of the EnduroCross season and we had some first race jitters, for sure. The night started out rough for me and I really had to rely on the training I’d done entering round one to increase my confidence. I had two good motos, although a fall in race two really hurt my overall position… all-in-all, not a bad way to begin my season.”

2023 AMA Super EnduroCross- Round 1: Overall Results (Top 10)
 1. Jonny Walker (Bet) 1-1-1

2. Cody Webb (SHR) 7-2-3

3. Ryder LeBlond (Hsq) 5-3-4
4. Colton Haaker (Hsq) 3-8-2
5. Trystan Hart (KTM) 2-5-8
6. Taddy Blazusiak (GG) 4-7-6
7. Cooper Abbott (Shr) 10-6-5
8. Max Gerston (GG) 8-4-9
9. Will Riordan (KTM) 6-9-7
10. Anthony Johnson (KTM) 9-10-10