Shan Moore | November 12, 2024

Red Bull FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart took a big step toward capturing his second consecutive AMA EnduroCross title with a solid victory in the penultimate round of the Slavens Racing AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance at First Interstate Bank Center in Redmond, Oregon, went 2-1-1 in all three motos to surpass Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker’s 1-2-2 performance.

Photography by Jack Jaxson

Haaker set the fastest time in qualifying, topped the Hot Lap time leaderboard and at times looked like the faster driver for most of the night. But it was Hart’s precision and determination that carried the Canadian to victory, while Haaker suffered some unfortunate misfortunes in key moments.

Leading the standings by 19 points heading into the Redmond event, and with Triumph Factory rider Jonny Walker having returned to the UK to race in Europe, Hart only needed to score two podiums in the final two rounds to clinch the 2024 champion title. However, the reigning champion did not play it safe and went all out for the win.

Haaker set the fastest time during Hot Laps to earn the top pick on the gate in race one, although it was Hart who came out of the first corner in the lead, closely followed by Haaker. Tim Apolle from Factory Beta, Dominik Olszowy from Rieju and Max Gerston from Factory Beta finished in the top five.

In the second round, FactoryOne Sherco’s Cody Webb had placed fourth in his first race following wrist and knee surgery.

Hart and Haaker pulled away from the field on the first lap in a thrilling battle for the lead. Haaker made a pass on Hart to take first place, only to rebound and give it back to the Canadian. Haaker finally managed a pass with three laps remaining and took control of the race, beating Hart to the finish by two bike lengths. Webb finished third, with Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond and Olszowy fourth and fifth, respectively.

To establish gate choices for the second heat, the finishing positions of the 16 riders from the first race are reversed, meaning the top eight riders from the first race start on the second row. Hart was first among the top riders exiting the first turn and headed into the first lap in fourth, although the KTM rider linked up with FactoryOne Sherco’s Cooper Abbott later in the lap and fell to behind, leaving Abbott third. This left Hart stuck in eighth place, with Haaker in 11th.

Webb ran strong and passed Abbott on lap four to take third, while Hart and Haaker battled through the pack.

It didn’t take long for the cream to rise to the top and halfway through the race Webb took the lead five seconds ahead of Hart, while Haaker closed in on third place, setting up a titanic battle for the highest step in the ranking. the podium.

Webb held a significant lead over Hart and Haaker at the halfway point. However, by the time the white flag was flying, Hart and Haaker had moved to Webb’s rear wheel and were beginning to apply pressure. On the final lap, with the checkered flag in sight, Webb fell on a log, giving Hart the victory with Haaker in second, followed by Olszowy, Webb and GasGas’ Branden Petrie respectively.

Hart and Haaker tied for the overall lead in moto three, each driver with three points each. It was Hart who broke away first at the start, with Haaker tight on his tail, followed by Webb, Abbott and Olszowy.

Hart and Haaker broke away from the pack, while Webb led Olszowy and LeBlond a few bike lengths back.

Haaker repeatedly attempted to pass Hart for the lead, but Hart remained steady and held to the fastest line, leaving no opening for Haaker.

At the end of the third heat, the order was Hart, Haaker, Webb, Olszowy and LeBlond, giving Hart the overall victory, with Haaker second and Webb third.

“I was nervous today, but once the gate drops, it all goes away and I can do my thing,” Hart said. “In the first moto I was just cruising, and it was good to follow Haaker and stay out of trouble because we had a big gap. In the second heat I said I wanted to win and it went pretty well. And then in this last race, I had a big battle with Colton. He put on the pressure, but I didn’t break down like I did a few times this year, so this one feels pretty good.

With just one round remaining, Hart has a comfortable 24-point lead over Haaker in the series standings, with Jonny Walker in third, a further 22 points behind.

“What can you say, I did everything I could to put myself in position,” Haaker said. “Trystan allowed me to start, and he hugged the best line, and I tried to go around to make things happen, but to be honest, there wasn’t much you can do outside of this quick line. It was obvious that the main line was the best and he did a great job.

Webb’s third was a surprise, considering he was on the bike just weeks before the race.

“I wanted to win that second race so badly,” Webb said. “I had no idea these guys had caught up to me so quickly, and I made a stupid, stupid move. My running profession is down because it’s been a while since I’ve run.

In the Pro Women division, Enduro Engineering/GasGas/FXR Moto’s Shelby Turner dominated both qualifying and the final to take another step toward a sixth national title. Defending series champion Rachel Gutish of Team KBS Sherco finished second overall, while Kylee Sweeten, riding GasGas, finished third overall.

“It was actually a lot trickier than the pros make it out to be,” Turner said. “The holes in the rocks are deep, the water is carrying and it’s technical. The tires in front of the finish are tricky, and if you don’t jump on them, it’s a bit 50/50 on how it’s going to go. But overall it was a good ride. I was just trying to stay strong and consistent and have a lot of fun.

Sherco driver Hallie Marks finished fourth. CN

EnduroCross 2024 Round 5 Results

OVERALL (Top 10)

1. Trystan Hart (KTM) 2-1-1
2. Colton Haaker (Hus) 1-2-2
3. Cody Webb (She) 3-4-3
4. Dominik Olszowy (Rie) 5-3-4
5. Ryder LeBlond (Hus) 4-7-5
6. Cooper Abbott (She) 8-8-6
7. Branden Petrie (GG) 9-5-8
8. Max Gerston (Pari) 6-6-10
9. Tim Apolle (Pari) 7-10-7
10. Anthony Johnson (KTM) 10-12-9

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