TEAM USA TAKES SECOND AT TRIAL DES NATIONS
Single Track perfection
New Features
» Lower Seat Height
» Front Rescue Strap
» Zf SHC Front Fork Matched with a redesigned ZF Rear shock
» XTrig Flex Fix handlebar mounts to reduce vibration and rider fatigue
» New headlight mask, shrouds, & rear fender
» Coolant Recovery tank reduces coolant lost in extreme riding conditions
» frame which has improved turning Stability and reduced flex under load
» updated nissin rear brake master Cylinder
The Big Picture
ANOTHER NUMBER 1!
Johnny Girroir and the FMF KTM Factory Racing team would clinch the 2024 GNCC National Championship two rounds early.
PHOTO BY KEN HILL
The Big Picture
RECORD BREAKING CONTINUES!
The mighty Spanish men’s team of Toni Bou (Montesa), Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) and Adam Raga (Sherco) swept to a record-breaking twentieth consecutive victory at the FIM Trial des Nations (TdN) this afternoon on home ground at Pobladura de las Regueras
PHOTO BY FUTURE7MEDIA
Congratulations to Red Bear Racing Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor Jr for taking his first enduro win of the season at the Wiseco Flying W National Enduro
photo by Mack Faint
CONTRIBUTORS
Jared
Graeme Anderson
Brian Pierce
Mitch Barnes Pole Position Communications
Mastorgne Photography
Kaitlyn Niederer
Heather Wilson
Mack Faint
Kayla Bolton
Ken Hill
facebook.com/ onthepegs
To get involved or send content, email stephanie@onthepegsmagazine.com
Shipments of Mecatecno Dragonflies have been arriving with the new "Anti-Roll Back" feature, which prevents the back wheel from rolling backwards as soon as backward movement is detected by the controller and an “inertia” feature, which is similar
• The T-18 Dragonfly is directdrive from the motor to the rear wheel
• An easy-pull diaphragm clutch for maximum control and traction
• New M4 39mm Aluminum forks are the lightest on the market
• Linkless Ohlins shock direct to the swing arm
• 5 hour+ quick change and fast charge battery
• new 6.5-hour interchangeable battery also available
Weight 132 pounds
• Seat can be added for trail riding comfort
to the flywheel action on a gas powered trials bike. These new features can also be downloaded by the factory to all previous customer’s bikes to bring them up to date with the present models. This is a tremendous advantage of this controller in that any new changes or upgrades can easily be done with a connection to the factory electronics team. Now your Dragonfly will always be as up to date with the newest revisions as you desire. There will be more exciting additions to come in the new year, such as an extended range battery with a 6.5 hour running time, interchangeable with the present 5 hour battery.
Retail price $11,299.00, not including shipping cost to your destination.
CPD:DOCUMOTO PARTNERSHIP FOR IMPROVED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Central Powersports Distribution (CPD), a leading importer and distributor of European motorcycles and accessories, is excited to announce a new partnership with Documoto, a premier digital parts catalog and ordering platform. This collaboration will deliver detailed parts diagrams and a seamless, user-friendly shopping experience for both CPD dealers and their customers.
With Documoto’s innovative platform, CPD will offer easily accessible and accurate parts catalogs, helping dealers quickly identify and order the correct parts. The platform’s interactive diagrams simplify
the process of locating parts, reducing errors and increasing efficiency for dealers. Customers can also benefit from a streamlined shopping experience, ensuring they get the parts they need with greater convenience and accuracy.
“This partnership with Documoto will significantly improve the way our dealers and customers interact with our parts catalogs,” said Mark Berg, Owner of Central Powersports Distribution. “By offering detailed, up-to-date diagrams and an intuitive shopping interface, we’re empowering our dealers to provide faster, more accurate service while ensuring
customers have a superior experience. We look forward to the implementation over the next couple of months, which will begin with the most recent year models.”
MINDER TRIAL PLANNED FOR NATC FLORIDA ROUND
Trials minders arguably have just as difficult a job as their riders do during competition. They are trusted to help anazlye section strategy, give guidance and feedback on proper wheel placement and technique, and be in the right place to catch the bike should things go wrong.
The final rounds of the AMA/NATC National Mototrials Championship Series, presented by Trial Store USA, will host a minder trial the Friday before competition. Three sections of Expert-Support / Expert level will be prepared, with minders riding each section two times. As these sections are also being used in the National event, only the Men’s Pro minders are eligible to ride.
So what’s the catch? Minders competiting must complete the trial on their minder bikes while wearing/ carrying ALL the parts/tools they would carry while following their rider around the loop. This includes things such as spare handlebars, backpacks, bum bags, etc.
The final rounds of the 2024 season will be October 2627, hosted by the Florida Trials Association at Promise Ranch, the same location as was seen in the opening rounds of the 2023 season.
Promise Ranch is a working private ranch that surrounds Scorpion Lake in central Florida. Forest and fields provide habitat for the abundant wildlife living alongside the cattle. The lake is the byproduct of a discontinued limestone mine and is world famous for charter largemouth bass fishing.
www.mototrials.com for more details
The integration of Documoto is part of CPD’s ongoing commitment to enhancing dealer support and customer satisfaction.
Tom Fraser minding for Beta USA’s Alex Niederer PHOTO BY STEPH VETTERLY
PROVISIONAL 2025 TRIALGP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
The provisional calendar for the 2025 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship has been confirmed with a seven-round schedule and an extended total of fourteen scoring days – two more than in 2024 –awaiting competitors with Great Britain and the United States of
America returning to the series following a number of years’ absence.
Trial2 competitors will join TrialGP at all seven rounds while TrialGP Women competitors will miss just France and San Marino. Trial3
will only miss Japan and the USA while the Trial2 Women title will be decided in Spain, Portugal and Great Britain.
The FIM Trial des Nations will take place on 20-21 September at Tolmezzo in Italy that most recently featured on the calendar in 2021. A date and venue for the FIM Trial Vintage Trophy is still to be confirmed.
Provisional schedule
Round 1 April 4-6 Spain
Round 2 April 11-13 Portugal
Round 3 May 16-18 Japan
Round 4 May 30-Jun 1 France
Round 5 June 6-8 San Marino
Round 6 July 11-13 USA
Round 7 Sept 5-7 Great Britain
TdN Sept 20-21 Italy
USA Set to Host FIM Trial GP World Championship JULY 2025
RHODE ISLAND TRIALS CLUB
If there are two days to reserve on your schedule for 2025 we hope you will consider July 12 and 13 when the United States will host the World Championship for Motorcycle Trials. It’s been several years since the best riders on Earth have convened in the U.S. but after long negotiations between FIM, AMA, and the NATC, we are excited to announce the upcoming event.
The Rhode Island Trials Club (RITC) is stepping up to host the event at the Acadia Forest as they have before several times going all the way back to 1975. This special location is full of incredibly challenging forest and granite terrain coupled with a host team that the F.I.M. Trials President Thierry Michaud proclaimed had hosted the best Trial World Championship of all time, anywhere and anytime in history, back in 2015.
From sheer cliffs to giant boulders, river beds, huge trees, and more, the variety of challenges will be daunting for riders, and exciting for spectators. Each day is a separate competition with all athletes scoring being tallied at the end of day one for awards, and again at the end of day two. The Wagner Cup will also be awarded, as it has for 50 years at RITC for the best cumulative two-day performance.
Parking will be available with a shuttle service to the paddock/pits as well as two locations on the circuit. Attendees should be prepared with hiking shoes, walking
sticks, snacks and water.
Food trucks will be at the circuit start point as well. Attendees can pre-order cool merchandise, which will be shipped directly to them. This service will also be available onsite.
Different from previous events, there will be an emphasis on pit and paddock access where motorcycle manufacturers, professional teams, and other similar providers will offer a wealth of amazing things to check out. Riders will be available for autographs at specific times, so bring the kids as we are sure they will leave truly inspired.
Rhode Island Trials Club boasts an incredible forest property with a diverse and challenging landscape. It’s also quite beautiful and all twelve sections will be accessible to spectators to hike around the entire loop. The total loop distance is about two miles and there are short cut and cutoff trails for those seeking less of a trek. Camping (on a pre-reserved basis) will be available as well as nearby lodging.
In order to make the event stand out for spectator quality, a cap of
2,000 public spectator passes will be permitted, so it will be imperative to pre-purchase tickets well in advance as once that number is reached no more tickets will be sold. A ticket-swap service will be offered as a protection for those who pre-purchase but aren’t able to attend. Online ticketing will be live soon and we will offer a direct link in the next issue of On The Pegs.
The massive task of building out twelve of the gnarliest trials sections imaginable has already begun. Famed trials master Gary Bourque leads a team of exceptional, experienced folks to set up all the lines and another team is already in the field preparing the woodlands with spectator, rider, and minder loop trails. Significant energy will be poured into environmental
stewardship so that we can continue to host more of these events in the future.
Come be blown away by riders like Toni Bou, Gabriel Marcelli, and more. Ladies too! The Women’s Trial GP World round is also integrated with this event and we are proud to announce that America’s own Madeleine Hoover will compete against the world’s best female competitors.
Check out all the latest in bike technology at the event from providers like GasGas, Beta, Montesa Honda, Sherco, Vertigo, TRRS, and the incredible new electric bikes from Oset and EM.
More content coming soon with each On The Pegs issue!
JAMES DABILL, 2015 PHOTO BY ANDY GREIG, G2F MEDIA
product spotlight
if you’re viewing this as the digital version, click each product to be taken to its website where you can buy direct
The EE Beta kickstand Extender is a must have for all 2020 to current Beta models with a kickstand.
The wider foot print and extended lenght help get a sturdy setting when leaving your bike on the kickstand.
Made in the USA out of high grade billet 6061 aluminum.
Mounting hardware included.
2020-Current RR/RR-S/ Xtrainer
www.enduroeng.com
Mika Metals sets the industry standard when it comes to the quality of materials used. Mika Metals Hybrid Sprockets are the ultimate application in lightweight long lasting sprockets. It’s unique design means the majority of the sprocket is made from aerospace aluminum, while the teeth are made from hardened steel. This means you get the durability of a steel sprocket without all the weight. It is one of the longest lasting and lightest sprockets on the market.
Designed for use on 50cc450cc Motorcycles with multiple sprocket sizes to choose from.
www.mikametals.com
If you’ve never heard of Chris Birch, you’ll soon realize he’s a pretty big deal, with accolades in numerous off-road motorcycle disciplines, and is as easygoing as they come. The New Zealander started life competing in the trials world where he won each class before he was 20, he switched over to enduro riding, winning national championships in numerous countries, including
winning the New Zealand title eight times. He graduated to extreme enduro, taking on all the major events around the world including the Roof of Africa (taking the overall win in 2008, 2009, and 2010), and Red Bull Romaniacs (taking the win in 2010). He’s even competed in the Dakar Rally. He’s been an ambassador for brands like KTM, Mitas, and Cardo Systems, among many others.
COMES TO KAIROS
WORDS
PHOTOS
STEPH VETTERLY & JARED SPENCER JARED SPENCER & GRAEME ANDERSON
He started running riding schools where he could share his knowledge and experience and help other racers and riders strengthen their own skills on the bike. At the end of August, Chris brought his Say No to Slow training schools to the Kairos Wilderness Resort in Glen Lyn, VA, to host a two-day intermediate adventure-riding school, a two-day advanced adventure-riding school, and
a one-day enduro school. A facility like Kairos has everything that a rider, or trainer, could want – from a variety of terrain applicable for every riding level, to camping and bath house facilities, to close proximity to town for those last-minute needs or a hot meal.
“For the adventure schools in particular, I think we’re trying to pitch ourselves at a reasonably high level here,” explained Chris. “I think more beginner, new-to-offroad coaching in the adventure world is very well catered for here in this country. Where I think I can add value to the adventure community as a whole is that higher-end side of it with the experience I’ve been able to gather from all the racing I’ve done around the world in my life.
I think our intermediate is more advanced than most people’s advanced, but I think that’s where we can pitch ourselves, and where we can add value - I don’t want to just be teaching the same thing with a different accent.”
Chris’ trials experience and foundational work shines through when he talks about what his main goal is with his classes. Everyone wants to go fast, but with speed comes injury if the rider isn’t in
control of the bike. The goal of Say No to Slow clinics is “to have [the rider] in more control, safer, and then if you want to, faster. I generally don’t try and teach people how to go faster. I try to teach people how to be in more control of their bikes. More efficient, more in control. That can turn into riding further, riding longer, if that’s what you’re into. It can turn into riding more difficult stuff, more difficult terrain, and it can turn into riding faster if you want to. Control, good techniques, stability, strength on the bike, efficiency, all that kind of stuff. All that goes wherever you want it to go from there. For some guys, their goal is crashing less; that’s completely valid, too.”
Class participants Tim and Madison Fowler: “Chris puts a huge focus on the fundamentals and basics without boring you riding circles around cones. Chris’ teaching style is very fluid and dynamic, and he keeps it fun. He has an incredible attention to detail and adapts to everyone’s individual skill level. Between both of us, we participated in all five days of the schools Chris hosted at Kairos. A the end of the five
days, we both walked away with a huge increase in our skill level and “tool box.” We can’t wait for our next opportunity to train with Chris. In the meantime, we will continue practicing everything we learned from him.”
So what’s next for Chris Birch? After a few more riding schools in Beverly, West Virginia, hosted by Blackwater Adventures, and a rally at the same location, Chris will head home for two weeks, then back to Portugal for the KTM European Adventure Rally, then the ISDE in Spain.
saynotoslow.nz
MR WOLF MOUSSE BALLS
| ONE YEAR REVIEW & NEW TIRE INSTALL
WORDS & PHOTOS
BRIAN PIERCE
Ifirst installed a set of Mr. Wolf Mousse Balls in October 2023. Since then I have swapped them over to multiple sets of tires. I’ll discuss why someone might choose Mousse Balls over Bib Mousses, review their performance and appearance after a year of use, and explain how to install them.
WHY MOUSSE BALLS OVER BIB MOUSSES?
Mousse Balls look to be made of the same foam as any other bib mousse. Their claim is that mousse balls will last longer due to the “patented sector structure”. Because they consist of separate sections, there’s more surface area for
heat to dissipate. As long as you lube up all sides of the balls anytime you add more, I see this being true.
Since most of us aren’t going to add all the balls that come in a kit, you’ll add, or swap out, the extra balls as the foam wears down over so many miles. You can also buy extra balls, three at a time, front or rear, if you are looking to extend the life of your setup that way. You can also do this with traditional bib mousses when they wear down, but you’ll need an old one to take wedges from. The concept is the same though, when the foam starts to wear down, add more.
For those who desire going the opposite direction and are drilling out their bib mousses for a more customized feel, this is where mousse balls shine. Yes, you’ll spend a bit more over a traditional mousse, but you’ll add the
balls you desire, and adjust as they wear down or need more/less support. No longer do these “crazy hard enduro riders” need to buy special drill bits to immediately trash a brand new bib mousse. Crazies I tell ya, ha ha!
Does all of this justify the higher price tag? You’ll have to make that decision, because the tires you run, the hours you ride, and the maintenance given to your inserts all affect whatever product you’re sticking inside your tire. The one thing I do feel is there is less break in period with Mousse balls. My guess is that this is due to the “patented sector structure”, or balls, over a traditional one-piece foam insert.
MOUSSE BALLS
ONE-YEAR REVIEW
The set of mousse balls being pulled out during this video were installed in
October 2023. There are two months of undocumented riding and racing, but what I have documented started in December 2023 is ~47 hours and ~800 miles. Considering there were at least two races— Coyote Crossing and Barteau Ranch—and one or two additional rides, I estimate an additional 10 hours and 100 miles.
I believe I could have easily gotten MANY more miles and hours out of the rear mousse balls. The front had me suspect over the past two months. I know for sure the front tire was due to be replaced again. There is always the chance that a worn out tire was making the front end feel “washy” more than the mousse ball’s current state. I did shove another ball in before Flying W NEPG, which helped tremendously. I believe a new tire with the mousse balls I had would have kept going for another 25-30 hours easily (extra balls possibly needed).
I like the fact that there isn’t a break in period. A traditional Michelin bib mousse seems to always feel stiff from the beginning, finding the sweet spot only after a few hours of riding. I’ve also always cut wedges out of old bibs to help stave off buying a new mousse too soon. I’ve mixed and matched Nitromousse with Michelin before without problem, but maybe I’m the problem (ha!).
I like the Mr. Wolf Mousse Balls with the Dunlop MX 34F and the Michelin Starcross 6 Med/Soft Rear. It’s been a hell of a great combination for the different terrain I’ve raced and ridden between TSCEC, BJEC & NEPG this year.
HOW TO INSTALL MOUSSE BALLS
The biggest difference when installing mousse balls over a traditional bib mousse is the setup. For a bib mousse, you lather the mousse and the tire carcass in lube. In the case of mousse balls, you have to lather each ball separately, increasing install time. Once each ball is properly lathered in lube, you have to install each ball separately. This isn’t the end of the world, it’s just more time consuming and worth noting for consumers.
Once all the Mousse Balls are installed in the tire, the process for mounting the tire to the rim is the same. I personally have a rabaconda and it makes life a TON easier for me. If you’re still new to mounting mousses or mousse balls, go slow. The most important part is getting the bead set inside the middle of the rim, versus hooked into the rim. Most installers will use more tire levers at the beginning to help the bead set deeper in the rim, not hooked. You’ll learn your process and it’ll get easier every time.
As I’ve gone through the life lessons of mounting bib mousses, I heard a lot about tire soap. Don’t use tire soap unless you’re changing tires and mousses regularly. It dries out quickly and actually wears your mousse out faster. A hightemp silicone based grease is what you want, and there are other silicone gel lubricants if you want to try and save a few bucks.
WHAT’S NEXT
I’ve been doing a better job documenting parts added and time on the bike since I added the first set of mousse balls in 2023. The plan is to be very open and honest about this newer set as I continue to race and ride. I’ll talk about new tires, wear of the mousse balls, and more as time continues on.
If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out and ask. That’ll help me know what you want to know, and I can answer that specifically.
In the late 1969, Jon Easton began designing and producing exhausts that have energized motorcycles throughout all of the racing disciplines. For over 58 consecutive years (and now with the second owner) racing enthusiasts have been blowing away their competition by fitting their bikes with a Jemco performance exhaust. Jon started the company in Houston, Texas, one motorcycle at a time, one exhaust at a time, one test at a time, and developed a “genius
performance formula” that was not available from OEM manufacturers.
Jon Easton learned the intricacies of two stroke exhaust tuning as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Houston. His riders found success on the racetrack back then as they do now. Kenny Roberts on an XS 650, Bubba Rush/Dave Aldana on their flat track bikes, as well as Quinn Wentzel have all benefited from Jon’s genius performance formula. Quinn
The Men from Jemco... Then & Now
MITCH BARNES WORDS & PHOTOS
competed in the hare scramble and motocross while running his new Jemco exhaust on his 1974 CanAm two-stroke 250 and was the overall Grand Champion after the dust settled on three intense days of racing at AMA’s Vintage Motorcycle Days in July 2024. The only difference from Quinn’s exhaust and Kenny Robert’s exhaust were the hands that built it.
Fast forward to the summer of 2020, when Mitch Barnes, current owner of Jemco in Louisville, Kentucky, and
his friends Mike McManus, Greg Fieldhouse, and Chris Akaydin started building vintage bikes in Mitch’s garage. Quickly after a 1975 RM 125 and TM 100 arrived, the bunch began racing with AMA and AHRMA. The country was slowly coming out of “The Covid Era” and the Kentucky group was traveling to Georgia, Alabama, Ohio looking to race their vintage Japanese bikes. Mitch wanted more power from his old Suzuki and Ray Dunaway mentioned “you ought to get a Jemco…”
With a determined attitude to purchase a performance exhaust for his vintage Suzuki, Mitch called the Houston Jemco phone number every other day for two weeks before Jon finally answered the phone. Jon explained that his welder had died the month before and he was thinking of closing Jemco down for good. Without thinking much, Mitch quickly said “Sell it to me. How about Greg and I fly down in two days and let’s talk?” After some negotiations, the four guys and Mitch’s wife Meredith were arriving in
TOP: Mitch Barnes (L), Jon Easton (R) LEFT: Chris Akaydin, Jemco Master Craftsman, building an exhaust system for Johnny Bova (flat track #35)
Houston to load up all Jemco had. It took half a semi-truck plus three additional helpers to bring Jemco to Kentucky.
Jon flew to Louisville and began training with Chris Akaydin. Chris is now a master welder, and the heir apparent to Jon’s “genius performance formula.” Chris has built over 250 different models in the last four years and has successfully trained another team member, Laslow Makk, in the process. Chris pays close attention to not change the formula, welding with gas, or the style of the exhausts. There are 450 jigs in the shop, and all the exhausts are made-to-order primarily by those vintage guys who like the sound and increased power. Whether it is a triple twostroke Kawasaki or Suzuki, the chambers sound throaty and strong. Hardly a week goes by during the last four years without an order coming in. Over the last four years
without altering anything, the men at Jemco have counted 25+ championships in various disciplines such as vintage road racing, vintage and
modern flat track, vintage motocross plus vintage hare
Quinn Wentzel’s winning 1974 CanAm, complete with a Jemco exhaust
scrambles… along with Quinn’s victory at AMA’s Vintage Days!
NEW FROM THE SKID
COMPLETE REDESIGN FOR 2025
New look, new side entry air filter access, new chassis, new cooling system, new handguards, new fork protector, new skid plate, new side stand, new electrical harness, and additional model-specific updates to make each machine perform at its highest
New Braking discs
New Akrapovic headers on 250/300/450/500 SEF
New side entry air boxes
New Akrapovic silencers on 250/300/450/500 SEF
SKID PLATES UP.
Braking discs, new CNC triple clamps, new dashboard support, new harness, new fuel tank mount, new axle linkage, improved access to the muffler highest level.
New side stands
New frame protector with built in gripper
New higher ground clearance SPES3 Exhaust for 2 stroke models
New brighter LED taillight
CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN FRANCE
WORLD CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT SEASON FINALE IN FRANCE
WORDS
PHOTOS
ENDUROGP
POLE POSITION COMMUNICATIONS, FUTURE7MEDIA, MASTORGNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Following Friday night’s AKRAPOVIC Super Test, which saw CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon top the timesheets in front of his home crowd, riders took to the start line early on Saturday morning for the first full day of racing at the final round of the 2024 Paulo Duarte FIM EnduroGP World Championship in France.
Kicking off with the ACERBIS Cross Test, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia made his intentions clear from the start as he claimed his first test win of the day by nearly four seconds. However, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe was on the attack and went fastest on the morning’s first MAXXIS Enduro Test.
Back on top in the POLISPORT Extreme Test to round out lap one, Garcia had opened up an early lead, with Holcombe hot on his heels just four tenths of a second behind. The duo were already proving untouchable, with GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona a further 15 seconds down after one lap.
On lap two, Garcia didn’t falter. Topping the timesheets in all three tests, the Spaniard put in some incredible times to extend his lead to nine seconds by the end of the lap. Friday evening’s home hero CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon had a superb ride in the MAXXIS Enduro Test to post the second-fastest time.
The third and final lap of the day saw some incredibly close racing. Garcia narrowly won the ACERBIS Cross Test, with Holcombe less than a second behind. A renewed attack from Verona on the
final POLISPORT Extreme Test saw the Italian claim his only test win of the day, three seconds clear of Holcombe.
Winning all but two tests, Garcia finished day one at the ACERBIS GP of France as the overall winner and 2024 FIM EnduroGP World Champion. After taking the fight to Garcia all day, Holcombe came home as second-fastest. Despite hoping to deny Garcia the victory, Verona was forced to settle for third overall.
“This is a dream come true!” said Garcia. “I’ve been fighting for the EnduroGP win for the past two years, so this moment is just unforgettable. I’ve achieved my dream, and to do it on day one is even better.”
“Today was good!” said Holcombe. “We were all pushing so hard, and it’s easy to make mistakes, which I did today. I’m happy to have finished second in EnduroGP and Enduro1. It’s not over until it’s over, though!”
Unable to break into the top three on day one, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman put in a solid ride for fourth overall in EnduroGP. Equaling his best result of the year so far, CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon claimed fifth overall, spurred on by an incredibly passionate home crowd.
On the penultimate day of racing of the 2024 season, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Mireia Badia has been crowned 2024 FIM Women’s Enduro World Champion. Mireia’s runner-up result on Saturday proved sufficient to secure the Spaniard’s debut world title.
PREVIOUS: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia (26) CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish MacDonald (76)
Rieju Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett (416)
Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson (91)
Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe (1) Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin (151)
“Wow, this is a dream come true for sure!” said Badia. “I never imagined that I could achieve this. I’m so happy with how this season has gone, I’ve won days and had plenty of podiums. I couldn’t have asked for more!”
The Enduro Women category saw an intense battle between Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish and championship leader Badia, with the American ultimately coming out on top on day one in France. Despite lying in second place after the first two laps, RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett lost some precious time on the final
MAXXIS Enduro Test which saw her finish third overall.
With the EnduroGP overall win secured, Josep Garcia also sailed to victory in Enduro1, extending his lead in the standings to nine points. Steve Holcombe’s hopes of securing the Enduro1 world title were not over yet, though, as the Brit finished second on day one. It’s all to play for on Sunday. Zach Pichon followed Holcombe home in third.
In Enduro2 it was Andrea Verona who topped the category for the twelfth time in 2024, with the title already wrapped up at round six. Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini claimed second place, with CH Racing Sherco’s Wil Ruprecht in third. Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson was on track for a podium finish on day one, but a crash on the final test forced the Brit to retire.
Brad Freeman made it a day to remember, receiving his 10th world title in 10 years to be crowned 2024 FIM Enduro3 World Champion. The Brit raced to a 36-second margin of victory over CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish Macdonald. Antoine Magain (Sherco) completed the top three, securing an impressive podium result.
“I’m really happy to get my tenth world title!” exclaimed Freeman. “It’s been a tough
year, a tough day in EnduroGP but I’ve got the job done in Enduro3. It’s been ten years since I got my first GP win here in Brioude, so this is extra special.”
After a dominant year in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, Team KTM Pro Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin was crowned world champion for the first time on Saturday. Despite finishing second overall on the first full day of racing in France, the young Swede’s efforts were enough to secure the world title after an impressive year in the category.
“This feels so good,” started Ahlin. “I’m really overwhelmed! I was nervous heading into today but I managed to focus and my last lap was really good. It felt like the longest day of my life! It’s a dream way to end this season.”
The day one win was awarded to Sherco Academy France’s Thibault Giraudon after a series of consistent top-two test results, much to the delight of the French crowds. Giraudon managed to hold off Max Ahlin, with less than three seconds separating the two at the end of the day. Team Beta Oxmoto’s Leo Joyon rounded out the Enduro Junior podium in third place on home soil.
Racing began on Sunday morning in France with the
ACERBIS Cross Test, which saw hundreds of spectators gather to watch the action . With the Enduro1 title in his sights, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia made a strong start by winning the opening test. However, a fierce battle then ensued between the Spaniard and Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman as the Brit came out on top on the first MAXXIS Enduro Test.
Victorious in the opening POLISPORT Extreme Test, too, Garcia held an early lead after the first lap. Despite a slow start to the day, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe put in some solid times to work his way up to third overall behind Freeman.
The KTM star then went on to win both the ACERBIS Cross Test and the MAXXIS Enduro Test on lap two, proving
why he was crowned FIM EnduroGP World Champion the day before. However, Brad Freeman was hot on Garcia’s heels all day and, after two laps, edged into the lead by just under one second, a lead he would maintain until the finish to claim his first EnduroGP win of the season.
Holcombe claimed his first test win of the day on lap three, and his consistent times awarded him a runner-up result on the final day of racing in Brioude. Lap three would prove costly for Josep Garcia, with a crash on the final test forcing the championship winner to settle for third overall on day two at the ACERBIS GP of France.
BELOW: CH Racing Sherco’s Zachary Pichon (101)
TOP RIGHT: Team Beta Oxmoto’s Theo Espinasse (17)
LEFT: Fantic Racing Team’s Axel Semb (54)
In the EnduroGP championship standings, Steve Holcombe and GASGAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona finished the final day of racing tied on points behind Garcia. Finishing two positions higher than Verona on day two in Brioude, Holcombe was awarded second place in the championship, with the Italian rounding out the podium in third.
Verona had a solid-but-steady ride to claim fourth place in EnduroGP, with CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon racing to fifth in front of his home crowd.
Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish had a spectacular weekend at the final round of the FIM Women’s Enduro World Championship, taking to the top step of the podium on both days in France. The American’s strong performance also secured her position as runner-up in the overall standings – not bad for her debut year in the championship.
“This was definitely one of the most challenging races I’ve ever done” said Gutish. “I think it might be my favourite one of them all! France is such a beautiful place to ride, and I couldn’t be happier to have won both days here.”
Vilde Holt (KTM) made it a day to remember, securing her first podium result of the year to finish second. RIEJU Factory Racing’s Rosie Rowett completed the top three, her result leaving her third overall in the 2024 championship. RIEJU teammate Mireia Badia, who claimed the Enduro Women title on Saturday, was forced to settle for sixth on the final day of racing.
Fueled by his runner-up result on Saturday, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Steve Holcombe edged out Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia for the Enduro1 win on day two. However, it wasn’t enough to deny the newly-crowned EnduroGP champion from claiming the
Enduro1 title as well, as the Spaniard’s second-placed finish awarded him the overall win by a mere six points. CH Racing Sherco’s Zach Pichon followed the duo home in third place, also securing third in the championship.
GAGSAS Factory Racing’s Andrea Verona comfortably topped the Enduro2 category to claim his thirteenth win of the season, and twelfth in a row. Behind the Italian was CH Racing Sherco’s Wil Ruprecht, who certainly had a standout performance at the ACERBIS GP of France. TM Boano Factory’s Leo Le Quere completed the top three on day two. In the championship standings, Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Samuele Bernardini secured second overall, with Beta Factory Racing’s Nathan Watson in third.
Crowned Enduro3 champion on Saturday, Beta Factory Racing’s Brad Freeman dominated the category on the final day of racing in Brioude to take his 12th victory of the year. The Brit finished with a one-minute-and-23-second advantage over TM Boano Factory’s Matteo Cavallo, who secures third overall in the championship. CH Racing Sherco’s Hamish Macdonald’s third-placed result on day two allowed the Kiwi to finish as Enduro3 runner-up overall.
After a phenomenal day one in the GALFER FIM Junior Enduro World Championship, which saw Team KTM Pro
Racing Sport’s Max Ahlin take the overall title, the Swede topped the timesheets on the final day of racing in France. Fantic Racing Team’s Kevin Cristino followed him home in second, while Honda Racing RedMoto Enduro Team’s Manolo Morettini rounded out the podium in third.
With Ahlin also crowned FIM Junior2 World Cup winner
on Saturday, it was just the Junior1 title left to decide on day two at the ACERBIS GP of France. Just four points separated the top three heading into the final day of the season, and an impressive performance from Cristino moved the young Italian from third to first to secure the overall victory.
SEASON STANDINGS
ENDUROGP
1. Josep Garcia (KTM)
2. Steve Holcombe (HON)
3. Andrea Verona (GG)
4. Brad Freeman (BET)
5. Nathan Watson (BET)
6. Zachary Pichon (SHR)
7. Hamish MacDonald (SHR)
8. Samuele Bernardini (HON)
9. Matteo Cavallo (TM)
10. Wil Ruprecht (SHR)
ENDURO 2
1. Andrea Verona (GG)
2. Samuele Bernardini (HON)
3. Nathan Watson (BET)
4. Wil Ruprecht (SHR)
5. Matteo Pavoni (HSQ)
6. Jed Etchells (FAN)
7. Leo Le Quere (TM)
8. Albin Elowson (HSQ)
9. Krystof Kouble (HSQ)
10. Benjamin Herrera (GG)
WOMEN ENDURO
1. Mireia Badia (RJU)
2. Rachel Gutish (SHR)
3. Rosie Rowett (RJU)
4. Elodie Chaplot (BET)
5. Justine Martel (BET)
6. Vilde Marie Holt (KTM)
7. Nieve Holmes (SHR)
8. Francesca Nocera (HON)
9. Emelie Borg Nilsson (SHR)
10. Maria San Miguel (RJU)
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FLYNN FLIES TO FIRST WIN
FLYNN LIGHTNING FAST AT LIGHTNING STRIKES HARD ENDURO
IRC Beta’s James Flynn took the checkers at the US Hard Enduro (USHE)’s Lightning Strikes Hard Enduro this past weekend at Lightning Raceway in Tippecanoe, Ohio.
After success with the inaugural Lightning Strikes Hard Enduro last fall as part of the USHE’s Fall Series, promoter and hard enduro racer, Rieju USA’s own Quinn Wentzel wanted to come back and one-up himself. He did just that. This year’s event had a few changes which had a huge impact on racer experience. Racing was an eight-mile course, with amateurs racing on Saturday and the Pro classes racing the same course with some challenging sections added in on Sunday, allowing for fewer lappers and fewer bottlenecks each day. With a lack of rain in the area leading up to race weekend, the track was dry and fast, with rocks having ample traction.
Crowd-favorite sections, such as “The Wall” and “Shitter Hill” were kept in, while riders were treated to an opportunity
STEPH VETTERLY WORDS & PHOTOS
to ride through the doors of the raceway’s barn were offered to those riding Sunday’s Pro/A race.
Saturday’s amateur racing saw Julio Jiménez run away with the lead. The Team Fogueo rider was first to reach the initial checkpoint, and was able to keep pace, slowly extending his lead to an impressive 15 minutes by the end of the four-hour time limit. Justin Hawes was on his rear tire until the end of the first lap, where Wyatt Holdgrafer overtook him. Holdgrafer held pace until the end of lap three, where the leaderboard shuffled and saw a new podium emerge. Geiner Cordero, who had been battling throughout the top ten for the majority of
the race, was able to make a final push on lap five, making the pass on Holdgrafer for second place, with Holdgrafer rounding out the overall top three.
After amateur racing was finished, a Pro Prologue was held on a shortened course to determine start order for Sunday’s Pro race. Six laps were on the agenda, with some nice cash prizes for incentive, and riders could be seen flying through the creeks and the EnduroCross track. James Flynn had a solid start, getting in front of the pack and keeping pace just ahead of Logan Bolopue. Flynn was able to set the fastest lap time at only 3:30. Rieju USA’s Hayden Mosa rounded out the Prologue podium, with 3 Seas
Recreation’s Mark Fortner and Clinton County Motorsports’ Nick Fahringer closing out the top five.
The stage was set for Sunday’s Pro race. Eight miles of track were laid out in the Ohio woods with eight additional Pro splits for added difficulty. Flynn was fastest off the start, taking the holeshot with Bolopue hot on his heels. Bolopue would push Flynn all race, getting within seven seconds of the Beta rider in lap three, but Flynn had found the flow and extended his lead throughout the rest of the six laps, finishing a full 10 minutes in front.
“I got the lead at the beginning and just tried to ride my race the whole time,” said Flynn.
PREVIOUS:
IRC Beta’s James Flynn (55)
BOTTOM LEFT :
Logan Bolopue (19)
BOTTOM RIGHT :
Team Fogueo’s Julio Jiménez (2013, B class)
“After a couple laps, I started to figure the course out a little bit more. I kept trying to tell myself that I wasn’t tired and to keep going no matter what. A couple lap riders were in my way, but it gave me an opportunity to scope out new lines, so I was pretty happy about that.”
“The course was dry and dusty, but super fun; perfect mixture of fast stuff and hard stuff,” said Bolopue. “We ended up having some lap traffic, and had to take some lines we didn’t take on the first lap. I tried something and didn’t make it, so I lost a little bit of time [on Flynn]. Near the last half of the race, I just started to run out of gas [laughs].”
Third place was a battle between Nick Fahringer and Hayden Mosa. Mosa found himself behind a lap rider as he set up for a hillclimb; Fahringer took advantage of the situation and was able to push past both riders, muscle his way up the hill and run away with third place. Mosa was able to get back on pace, but unfortunately had made some decisions on his tire setup that didn’t quite work in his favor. Shortly after getting passed by Fahringer, Mosa realized the mousse in his rear tire had completely disintegrated. He was able to
TOP LEFT : Sunday’s Pro class start
TOP RIGHT : William Smith (1804, B class)
RIGHT: Champion Brick’s Tobin Miller (117)
keep a hold of fourth place to the checkers.
“I’m not much of a morning person, but once we got past noon, I was ready to roll,” joked Fahringer. “I had a mid-pack start, then worked my way into second. We got to the bottom of a hillclimb section, and I got too deep into a bad line and lost three spots. A good technical section later, I made two passes, then in one of the new Pro hills, I passed Hayden in a bottleneck. I could tell he was not happy, but I made a clean pass and just rolled with it.”
Rounding out the top five was Champion Brick’s Tobin Miller, who’s finish was a career best in the USHE series.
SATURDAY
1. Julio Jiménez (KTM)
2. Geiner Cordero (BET)
3. Wyatt Holdgrafer (KTM)
4. Michael Gardner (KTM)
5. Justin Hawes (KTM)
6. Gage Hill (KTM)
7. Jose Julian Hernandez Rios (GG)
8. Cory King (SHR)
9. Taylour Grossmann (KTM)
10. Jake Campbell (KTM)
SUNDAY
1. James Flynn (BET)
2. Logan Bolopue (SHR)
3. Nick Fahringer (SHR)
4. Hayden Mosa (RJU)
5. Tobin Miller (KTM)
6. Maverik Thaxton (KTM)
7. Coran Calvert (SHR)
8. Mark Fortner (BET)
9. Leiber Ponce (KTM)
10. Ayden Marinchek (KTM)
www.ushardenduro.com
Team USA Brings Home Silver
WORDS PHOTOS
STEPH VETTERLY FUTURE7MEDIA & COURTESY OF KAITLYN NIEDERER
On September 22, Team USA stood on the second-place step to bring home the silver in the 2024 Trial des Nation’s International Trophy class, a result that hasn’t been matched since 2018.
The Trial des Nations (TdN) is the annual test of comaraderie, asking competitors to set aside their differences and work rivalry to come together and work as a team to bring home top honors for their country.
Team USA had some big changes this year, from management to team members, to adding an additional pair of riders for the TdN Challenge team.
Todd Roper, long time manager of the Team USA TdN team, decided it was time to pass the reins. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet, former GasGas Pro rider and seven-time TdN team member, stepped up to the plate, taking on all the challenges of coordinating every detail of travel and competition as well as coaching his teams to success.
GasGas’s Josh Roper, FactoryONE Scorpa’s Alex Myers, and FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Myers had been announced for the men’s International Trophy team at the NATC round in Donner, CA, earlier in the season. However, due to an unfortunate crash in that event, Will sustained a broken arm; because his
injuries would not be healed in time for competition, an alternate was proposed - Beta USA’s Alex Niederer, who had recently earned his American citizenship, earning him the right to compete on Team USA.
When asked what was going through his head when he was offered the position as the third rider, Niederer said he couldn’t stop smiling.
GasGas’s Maddie Hoover and Trials Superstore’s Kylee Sweeten were obvious choices for the Women’s World Championship team, with eight-time TdN competitor FactoryONE Sherco’s
Louise Forsley was offered an invitation to complete the team’s lineup. Team USA also created their first-ever TdN Challenge team, choosing Trials Superstore’s Murphy Aaron and Hailey Glueck.
This year’s competition took place in Pobladura de las Regueras, Spain. Rain had soaked the course the night prior, and sections were slick. The 15 sections had been eased up, both for the sake of the weather and to help allow all teams to have a chance at completing the sections. The loop started with four stadium-style sections, followed by a series of creek sections and some hill climbs, finishing with more stadium sections back down in the town.
Rules were simple - all three riders would attempt the section, with the best two scores counting towards the team’s overall. Gone were the days of no-stop, as the 2024 edition of the TdN was stop-allowed, easing some of the extra pressure that this competition usually brings.
With all teams competing at the same time, the biggest challenge ended up being time - teams were given strict time allowances, and penalized with additional points if all team members hadn’t finished within a certain time period. Very unlike normal trials competitions, competitors were found having to resort to pushing their way to the front of the line to avoid time issues.
INTERNATIONAL TROPHY
With the section difficulties being eased, scores were tight. The team cleaned every stadium section every time, which meant that the creek was responsible for determining the podium.
Riders agreed that the creek was more slick than anything they had ever ridden. Sections 5 and 6 were in the larger section of the stream in deep water. Sections 7-9 were in a branch off the main stream, so the rocks were more exposed and riders could more easily evaluate their intended line.
“You had to pick your lines really well and just be confident in your riding,” explained Alex Myers. “The bike was going to move and slip everywhere through the creek. Our first lap, we weren’t totally successful; we avoided fives, which was key. The second loop, we turned in some serious gains. I’m proud of our work, for sure. They only play the national anthem for the winning team, and I want our national anthem played at a trials event.”
“I don’t think the event could’ve gone much better,” said Niederer. “Between
Josh, Alex, and myself, we complemented each other on different areas of the loop, and all three of us contributed to the team score; there was no one rider who was dragging behind. For example, I made a mistake on the last loop in section 13 and went over the bars. We were rushed for time and I made a simple mistake; Alex and Josh were both able to clean that section. On the contrary, in section six, I got a two, Josh got a one, Alex got a three. So it was really nice to work together as a team, and I think we did that really well. Overall, I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I’m proud of what we did as a team to accomplish what we did.”
At the end of the day, the scores came down to the creek sections and time penalties. Team USA took 16 points with two penalty points, for an overall total of 18 points, just ahead of Team Germany with 19 points. Team Japan took the win with zero time penalty and 15 points.
WOMEN’S WORLD
In the Women’s World Championship, Louise Forsley was back to the trials scene, her first competiton since 2019.
“Because I haven’t been riding trials going into [the TdN], I kind of felt like an outsider,” explained Forsley. “I knew that all the years that I have ridden trials haven’t just gone away. I just needed to dig deep and bring it out with just some time on the bike. And also just mentally knowing that I could do it.”
Forsley was riding the brand new fuelinjected 2024, a bit of a change from the 2022 Sherco Fajardo Replica 250 she typically practices on.
“When I got over to Spain, I was just so nervous that I was going to end up fiving every single section because somehow I forgot to how to ride trials,” she said. “I was on the brand new ’24. I had two hours of practice on Saturday to warm up on the new bike. When I started riding Sunday it all came back and I reminded myself that I could still ride trials and be able to hold my own. Maddie’s and Kylee’s level has improved quite a bit since 2019, so I knew that I just needed to at least get some good rides to help my team out.”
The girls were able to finish the day with a total of 71 points, escaping any time penalties. Team Great Britain saw Emma Bristow, Alice Minta, and Kaytlyn Adshead take 14 points, Team Italy take 44 points for second place, and Team Spain take 45 to round out the podium.
TDN CHALLENGE
Team USA’s first-ever TdN Challenge team, comprised of Murphy Aaron and Hailey Glueck, dropped 154 points for a fifth-place finish. Team Italy took the win with 51 points, with Team Norway in second with 62 points, and Team Germany in third with 92 points.
Steward Baylor Jr takes first enduro win of the season!
ROUND 8 - CHERRYVILLE, MO
HEATHER
WILSON MACK FAINT WORDS PHOTOS
Flying W Ranch hosted 350plus enduro competitors for the Wiseco Flying W National – a new event on the Redline Oil AMA National Enduro Series, presented by MSR and Beta Motorcycles, and the first-ever enduro to be held at the location.
Round eight presented riders with a 55-mile course. Although dusty, the temperatures were ideal for race day. The first three tests were six miles in length. After that, racers were gifted a shorter section at 4.5 miles. It was followed up with two more six-mile sections.
Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth has dominated the season with six overall wins, but Steward Baylor Jr. was not going to let Toth add to the tally in Missouri. Baylor Jr. started the day taking third in the first two tests. The NE Pro1 rider went on to capture three test wins and end the day with a second-place finish in the final test aboard his Red Bear Racing Kawasaki. It marked his first win of the season.
“I knew after that first test that it was going to take a little bit of luck catching people at the right places,” Baylor Jr. said. “After every test -- most of us are good buddies off
the track -- we were talking about each section and where we were getting buried in the dust. Everybody had the same stories. It was just one of those days where it was kind of an equal playing field with how dusty it was. Definitely tough to see and tough to predict with the loose rolling rocks. Missouri and Oklahoma tracks have treated me well. It suits my riding style. You have to stay on your toes and transfer your weight at the right times or you’ll get in trouble quick. Overall, it was a good day. A couple mistakes. Especially, more than any in the last test. I thought I threw it away at the beginning of the last section with a pretty good crash. After that, I rode good and nailed my marks. I’ve been waiting a long time for the national enduros. It’s been almost a year [since I won]. It’s been a little frustrating watching Josh [Toth] ride away with all of these. He’s been on a mission. To be the one to stop him, I’m glad I was.”
Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth narrowly missed out on what would have been his seventh-straight win of the year. Just 3.396 seconds behind Baylor Jr., Toth didn’t
LEFT: Red Bear Racing’s Steward Baylor Jr
give up the win easily. He landed fourth through four of the tests, while taking third in two other tests throughout the day.
“[The race didn’t go] as well as I’d hoped, but it wasn’t a bad ride,” Toth said. “The terrain was so unforgiving out there. A lot of big, loose chunky rocks floating around. They can catch you off guard. And with the dust being so bad, it was really tricky just to get through clean and safe. I had a couple of little spills and close calls and just tried to be safe and make it through -- and not do anything stupid. Looking back, hindsight is 20/20 where I could have picked up three seconds.”
Max Motorsports Husqvarnamounted Evan Smith took the third spot on the podium, but it wasn’t without fighting through pain all day. He rolled his ankle prior to the race and had to battle through that discomfort.
“I stepped out of the van this morning before getting dressed and rolled my ankle,” Smith said. “Thought I broke my ankle and was about to go home before the race started. My ankle is very swollen in my boot right now. I couldn’t take my foot off the peg all day.”
Jonathan Johnson of South Carolina dominated the NE Pro2 podium, taking the win by more than 57 seconds aboard his Beta. He got off to a strong start, taking third through the initial test. From there, he continued to set a fast pace – clinching second in Test 2. He kept the momentum rolling for the final four tests, taking the win in all of them.
After a shoulder injury at the prior round which ended Grant Davis’ race day, he was motivated to redeem himself at this round. The KTMmounted rider started the day by grabbing NE Pro2 test wins in the first two sections. He slipped a bit to take fifth and fourth through the next two tests, but battled hard to score second and third in the final
two tests. His second-place finish on the day awarded him his seventh podium finish of the season. The points leader is ahead of Nathaniel Tasha by 16 points headed into round nine.
Beta’s Jhak Walker never finished worse than fifth through all six tests at the Flying W Ranch. It was a close battle with Will Sievenpiper throughout the day. But in the end, it was Walker who took the last step of the podium.
Rachel Gutish returned the top of the podium, ruling the day with three test wins and two runner-up results. It marks the Sherco-mounted rider’s second win of the year.
Red Bear Racing’s Rachael Archer opened the day with a test win, followed by secondplace finishes through the next two tests. In Test 4, she captured the win again. Her day ended with a second-place result in the final test. She still continues to lead the Women’s Elite point standings aboard her Kawasaki.
Shelby Turner, aboard her Enduro Engineering GasGas, continued her podium streak. With a couple of third-place test finishes and landing three
TOP TO BOTTOM: Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth
Grant Davis
Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish
Beta USA’s Jhak Walker
Red Bear Racing’s Rachael Archer
fourth-place test results, she walked away with third in Missouri.
250A rider Chase Landers finished an impressive 12th overall and has topped the 250A class at all eight enduros in 2024. The KTM rider seized every test win. He was able to finish 1 minute and 23 seconds ahead of the next rider in his class. His remarkable performance this season allowed him to wrap up the 250A championship and Overall A championship early. He will be stepping up to compete in the NE Pro2 class at the final rounds of the season.
In the AA class, Holden Allmon took the win on his Yamaha. He grabbed three test wins throughout the day, in addition to two third-place finishes and a second-place finish in the final test.
OVERALL
1. Steward Baylor Jr. (KAW)
2. Josh Toth (GG)
3. Evan Smith (HUS)
4. Jonathan Johnson (BET)
5. Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
6. Grant Davis (KTM)
7. Jhak Walker (BET)
8. Trevor Bollinger (HUS)
9. Will Sievenpiper (KAW)
10. Tom Truxell (HON)
PRO WOMEN
1. Rachel Gutish (SHR)
2. Rachael Archer (KAW)
3. Shelby Turner (GG)
4. Emma Hasbell (BET)
5. Prestin Raines (SHR)
6. Tayler Bonecutter (GG)
7. Kylie Harris (BET)
RAW SINGLE TRACK SHROUDED IN A VEIL OF SECRECY (DUST)
The Flying W National Enduro kept the theme of “Missouri Technical” that I’ve experienced over this year of racing in the Show-Me State. The added element we haven’t experienced much this year was dust; the Flying W Ranch dirt was silty from lack of moisture, hanging in the air like a veil of secrecy. This elevated the technical nature of the loose rocks and raw terrain.
I forgot to register when the National Enduro registration opened up on Livelaps, so I was back further on row 61 than I normally like to be (mid-40’s). There were also fewer racers registered than I would think for this event. TSCEC, TORCS, TCCRA and OCCRA all had races scheduled on the same weekend as the Flying W National. This sucks. This is a small, niche sport, and these national level events need to be supported by local racers as they come through the area.
WORDS & PHOTOS
Registration also looks low for the Zink Ranch National Enduro, which is another regional event these same series have control of where their racers race.
I haven’t been driving to Missouri this year because I enjoy being behind the wheel. I’ve become a road warrior because the new terrain and new single track have been challenging to learn and ride. The Blackjack Enduro Circuit has a lot of venues and single track that I think other enduro racers would enjoy.
Flying W Ranch didn’t disappoint in following the Missouri trend of technical, flowy single track that challenges a rider to push themselves, while also trying to stay off the ground. As with Hardwood Hills, there are a ton of small rocks that move underneath the bike. It’s a constant dance of attack, balance, brake, “OH SH!T”, I made it, attack again; repeat.
BRIAN PIERCE
It’s quite the challenge, and the local racers have a leg up on outsiders. That’s ok, ask questions and watch the locals, then adapt and grow.
The terrain across the race venue felt very similar per test section. The single track was raw, trimmed enough to get through, leaving downed logs and saplings to keep you on your toes. The elevation created fun descents and climbs, while never getting too steep. Test 6, the A Section at the end of the day, elevated all aspects of the off-chamber, flowy, tight, raw, ravine riding trail. Sidenote, the Flying W Enduro arrowing was the best of the year for a BJEC event so far.
Some may complain about the dust, but that’s environmental and based on the current weather that’s been through the area. This is enduro racing, we race the conditions given to us. My only personal complaint is the number of race miles. With
five test sections at 6 miles long, and one at 4.5, we only raced 34.5 miles. I believe the longer transfers were there to get us between two different properties, but having an 8-10 mile test section adds a different level of endurance to a day of enduro racing. I hope they can cut in more trail for their next National Enduro, or layout it out a little differently for a longer test section to finish off the day.
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2024 SCHEDULE
March 1-3: Downhill Southeast Mountain Bike Race
March 16-17: Trials Training Days
June 22-23: NATC Mototrials National Rd 3 & 4
June 24-27: Family Camp
June 28-30: AMA/NextGen Mototrials Youth & Women's Regional Championship
August 2-25: TKO: 14th Annual Red Bull Kenda Tennessee Knock Out Extreme Enduro
October 12-13: 32nd Annual 58K Fall Trial (STRA)
December 7: Toy Trial
* All dates are subject to change
ASHBURN TAKES THE MOUNTAINEER
ASHBURN EARNS OVERALL WIN; GIRROIR CLINCHES 2024 GNCC
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WORDS
PHOTOS
KAYLA BOLTON
KEN HILL & MACK FAINT
The dusty and dry conditions would write the book for the eleventh round of racing in the 2024 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship. The Rocky Mountain ATV/ MC Mountaineer GNCC went out with a bang on Sunday in Beckley, West Virginia, as your 2024 GNCC National Champion was crowned two rounds early.
With starts being key this weekend, Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn would grab the $250 Steel City Medical Center’s XC1 Holeshot Award and head into the woods first. It was a close call thought with Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski as they came in almost side-by-side to the first turn. Witkowski would take the lead from Ashburn once they were in the woods, but Ashburn was eager to get back to that number one spot and would make the pass on lap two around Witkowski. Ashburn would continue to lead the race, pushing himself more and more ahead of the pack, and coming through to earn his first win of the 2024 season with a 42 second lead over the rest of the field.
As the race continued on Witkowski would find himself battling back in second after being passed by Ashburn, but on the last lap of the race would start to have some issues and be unable to hold off some of his competitors. In just his second XC1 Open Pro race, AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper would make the pass into second after running third for majority of the day to land himself another podium finish. Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Trevor
Bollinger would also have his best finish of the season as he kept pushing after a good start to earn third overall on the day. Witkowski would come through to finish fifth overall, fourth in XC1.
Active Air/Max Motorsports/ FXR/Husqvarna’s Evan Smith would run fifth in XC1 for the duration of the three-hour race, coming through sixth overall on the day. Phoenix Racing Honda’s Ruy Barbosa worked his way back from eighth place to finish sixth in XC1, and ninth overall on the day. JS Racing/Beta’s Josh Strang would come through seventh in XC1 and round out the top 10 overall after managing to survive the dusty conditions.
Coming through the finish eighth in XC1, and 12th overall was FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Jonathan Girroir. After a consistent year finishing on the podium, and earning four victories thus far in the year, Girroir’s overall finish at The Mountaineer was enough for him to wrap up the 2024 Overall GNCC National Championship two rounds early.
“This is my childhood dream, and I took every path on the way to being here, took the hardest roads, and none of this has come easy,” said Girroir. “Anyone out there chasing their dreams, you can do it, keep on pushing and put your head down.”
In his second race back from injury, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Benjamin Kelley would come through ninth in XC1 and 14th overall on the day. It was an unfortunate day for Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor as he earned a tenth in XC1 but would receive no
Coastal Racing
Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski (282)
Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jonathan Johnson (981) AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper (198) Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Trevor Bollinger (739)
overall points as he suffered a mechanical and was only able to complete two laps.
As the afternoon race got underway, it was FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis earning himself the $250 Steel City Medical Center XC2 Holeshot Award and grabbing the early lead. Davis would put his head down and push forward, looking to move as far up in the overall standings as possible during the day. As the race was winding down, and the riders out on their last lap, Davis would come through to finish fourth overall on the day and earn the XC2 250 Pro class win. Davis currently sits in control of the championship
PREVIOUS:
GasGas’s Jordan Ashburn (3) is the first to see the checkers
RIGHT: XC2 start
standings for the XC2 250 Pro class.
Battling back to finish second in the XC2 250 Pro class was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes. After starting back in the fourth place position, Barnes would aim to make his way towards the front of the class as the race continued on, and he would be able to move into third and then work to make the pass for second with just two-laps remaining. Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jonathan Johnson rounded out the XC2 250 Pro class podium as he battled back to earn third on the day.
Grabbing the FMF XC3 class Lojak Cycle Sales Holeshot Award was Japan National Cross Country competitor and guest this weekend, Keita Watanabe. As the class headed onto the track, it wouldn’t take long for Devore/KTM/
SRS Suspension’s Dakoda Devore to move into the lead and Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jhak Walker to be right behind him on the first lap. Walker would make the pass around Devore, and he would continue to push himself for the remainder of the race. Walker crossed the line first earning his fourth win of the season. Devore would earn second on the day, and currently sits just 7 points behind Walker in the championship standings. Destructo Racing/Dixie Fuel/ Total Control Suspension’s Dustin Simpson had a consistent race as he sat in the third place position from start to finish.
TOP: Toby Cleveland (213)
BELOW: FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Brandy Richards (198)
Earning Top Amateur honors at The Rocky Mountain ATV/ MC Mountaineer GNCC was Team Green Kawasaki and your 2024 250 A National Champion, Nick DeFeo, as he came through 7th overall on the day after pushing himself for the three-hour duration. Gavin Simon would stand second on the Top Amateur podium as he came through 13th on the day and second in 250 A. Joseph Cunningham rounded out the Top Amateur podium as he crossed the finish line 16th overall and first in Open A.
In the morning race as the green flag flew for the WXC class it was Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Rachael Archer grabbing the $100 Kanati Tires WXC Holeshot Award and heading out onto the course with the early lead. Archer would continue to push herself through the dry and dusty conditions, maintaining her lead for the majority of the race. However, FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Brandy Richards also had a good start back in second and was also pushing herself through the conditions to fight for that lead position.
Richards would catch Archer as the white flag flew, indicating one more lap to go, and make the pass on her to take over the lead on the last lap. Richards would emerge from the trails first as she headed towards the finish line to earn her fourth WXC and her third overall win of the season. Archer would come through second overall and in the WXC class.
Cade Slaats in the 150 B Schoolboy (12-17) class would battle through the day to earn third overall in the morning race and stand atop the podium with Richards and Archer. Coming through third in WXC was Bonecutter Off-Road/ Sherco/FXR’s Prestin Raines. Raines would have her work cut out for her throughout the race as she battled with Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede for majority of the day.
SEASON STANDINGS
XC1
1. Johnny Girroir (KTM)
2. Steward Baylor Jr (KAW)
3. Jordan Ashburn (GG)
4. Craig Delong (HSQ)
5. Grant Baylor (KAW)
6. Michael Witkowski (HON)
7. Evan Smith (HSQ)
8. Josh Strang (BET)
9. Trevor Bollinger (HSQ)
10. Dante Oliveira (KTM)
XC2
1. Grant Davis (KTM)
2. Angus Riordan (KTM)
3. Cody Barnes (HON)
4. Liam Draper (YAM)
5. Brody Johnson (HON)
6. Thad Duvall (KAW)
7. Toby Cleveland (HSQ)
8. Jason Lipscomb (BET)
9. Josh Toth (HON)
10. Jesse Ansley (KAW)
WXC
1. Rachael Archer (KAW)
2. Korie Steede (HSQ)
3. Brandy Richards (KTM)
4. Shelby Turner (GG)
5. Prestin Raines (SHR)
6. Carly Lee (KTM)
7. Addison Elliott 9KTM)
8. Kayla O’Neill (KTM)
9. Kaitly Lindsey (HSQ)
10. Rachel Gutish (SHR)
