Shan Moore | May 1, 2019
Get the full Cajun Classic National Enduro Results and Video Highlights.
Grant Baylor’s not even 100-percent health, but he still found the speed to win the Classic Cajun National Enduro in Forest Hill, Louisiana, April 28, by 56 seconds over his brother, defending series champ and Tely Energy Racing teammate Steward Baylor.
Baylor Brothers Go 1-2 At Cajun Classic National Enduro
Grant had shoulder surgery during the off-season and didn’t ride the series opener in South Carolina back in early February. At round two, the Alligator Enduro a few weeks ago, he admitted he didn’t have enough upper body strength and finished seventh.
“In Florida I wasn’t really 100%,” said Grant. “I would say I was more like 70 percent. This weekend I’d say I’m closer to 95 percent. Still not 100, but we’re getting there.”
Grant was fifth in the first test at the Cajun Enduro, leaving some to think he was still not up to par, but after finishing second in test two, Grant found enough inspiration to win all four of the remaining tests.
“The race started out a little slow for me,” said Grant. “I think I was just a little nervous and overthinking everything, so I ended up beating myself—just making too many mistakes. We picked it up in the third test, I think I won it, and I got into the overall after four tests. It’s awesome to be back up in the center of the box.”
Steward was in contention right up to the final test, but in the crucial finish test, he just couldn’t hang with little brother.
“I just had a slow start,” said Steward. “I made a few mistakes and got turned around a couple times. I think the last three tests I rode really well; I just couldn’t do anything with Grant going into the last test. I knew I had moved into a solid second place, so I just tried not to make any mistakes.”
Gnarly Routes’ KTM’s Russell Bobbitt got off to a fantastic start, winning the first two tests and taking the initial lead, but Steward and Grant picked up the pace, while Bobbitt held steady.
“It was awesome getting a couple test wins right from the beginning,” said Bobbitt. “That just makes the rest of the day almost feel easier just because you feel so confident. I was not making mistakes really [in the last four tests], but I wasn’t really flowing super great, either, but then everyone else just kind of elevated their game throughout the day, and I just maintained. It came down to the last test. I was down a little bit on Stew, and then Evan [Smith] and I had a real tight battle again, just like at the ‘Gator. I think he had a little crash, so I was able to capitalize.”
Evan Smith (Husqvarna/Max Motorsports/FXR Racing) went back and forth with Bobbitt during the final three tests, but a crash in the final test kept Smith from beating out Bobbitt for third.
“I really wanted to beat Russ and I was just pushing too hard,” said Smith.
Thorn Devlin (GasGas North America) showed up in Louisiana on an XC 300 two-stroke. The Pennsylvania rider tested the bike in Arkansas the previous week and was impressed with the power and delivery enough to race it. After getting off to a fast start with the fourth-fastest time in test one, Devlin managed a solid fifth overall.
“We did a bunch of testing this week on the 300, and we came into the day with just the intentions of riding the motorcycle and not worrying about the score,” said Devlin. “Every time you come in you check your tests and everything. We didn’t check any tests. I actually left my phone here and we just rode; didn’t talk about tests; didn’t talk about winning. It felt so good.”
Beta USA teammates Cody Barnes and Mike Witkowski battled over sixth, with Barnes taking the position by 11 seconds over Witkowski. Barnes’ finish was good enough for first in the NEPro2 class.
“I won the first test and made some mistakes in the second,” said Barnes. “Overall the day was good. I didn’t make too many mistakes. I think only two crashes. I was pretty good throughout with limiting mistakes and stuff.”
Former pro trials rider Ron Commo III (GasGas) balanced his way to ninth overall. Meanwhile, former national winner Cory Buttrick returned to the national enduro series after a long hiatus, filling in for the injured Jake Froman on the XC Gear/Enduro Engineering/Husqvarna. Buttrick finish in 10th place.
XC Gear/Enduro Engineering/Husqvarna was also missing the injured Logan Lowrey who will most likely sit out the rest of the season. The team decided to fill the empty seat with a local veteran. Matt Barrett, who was chosen to ride their XC 300, has a long lineage of family members who have served in the Marines. Matt served eight years in the Marines, part of it in Afghanistan. Matt honored all of his family members and friends who were Marines by putting their names on his side plate.
“I can’t thank XC Gear, Enduro Engineering and Husqvarna for the great opportunity,” said Barrett. “I was medically discharged in 2014 and I’m glad to be back home riding dirt bikes with family and friends.”
Barrett finished 11th in the 30+ B division.
Mackenzie Tricker (KTM) was down 36 seconds to defending series champ Tayla Jones (Rockstar Energy/Husqvarna/Moose Husqvarna) going into the final test, but Tricker put in an amazing ride that gave the Mepmx/Fly/Grizzly Peak/Traveler’s Rest Speedway/KTM rider the win in the Women’s Elite class.
“I knew it would be tough, but I went into the last test with the aim of winning, and it was my best test of the day,” said Tricker. “I think Tayla had a few issues, but it was a hard-fought win and I’m very pleased.”
Jones finished second 46 seconds behind Tricker, with Am Pro Yamaha’s Rachel Archer in third, another 17 seconds behind Jones.
Shan Moore
RESULTS OVERALL
- Grant Baylor (KTM)
- Steward Baylor (KTM)
- Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
- Evan Smith (HUS)
- Thorn Devlin (GG)
- Cody Barnes (Beta)
- Mike Witkowski (Beta)
- Liam Draper (Hus)
- Ron Commo III (GG)
- Cory Buttrick (Hus)
Click here for complete results.