Trystan Hart battled bar to bar with Ryder LeBlond for four hours, continuing his win streak at the Bad Medicine at Fallen Timbers Hard Enduro, in Little Hocking, Ohio, May 28-29. Hart and LeBlond challenged each other during the entire four-lap hard enduro, trading the first and second positions over 20 times and not letting each other out of sight for long. Hart pulled ahead during the final stretch of the race, winning by one minute and 15 seconds.
Story and Photos by Matt Musgrove
The Wildwood Lake Raceway received heavy rain the days leading up to the fourth round of the AMA IRC US Hard Enduro Series, Presented by Inside Enduro, which made the course extremely slick and difficult for the athletes of all levels. On top of the muddy conditions, the heat and humidity was a major factor in this very difficult race.
On the first lap, FMF KTM Factory Off-Road’s Hart and Delullo Racing Team’s LeBlond (Husqvarna) were nearly 20 minutes ahead of third place Colton Haaker (Rockstar Husqvarna). They extended that lead to nearly an hour by the end of the race, pacing each other through the mossy rock gardens and slippery hills.
“I knew from lap one it was going to be a long race for me,” said Hart. “Ryder was riding really good and my body has been in a less-than-ideal situation the last month. I was dragging my tongue from the very start. I did my best to stick with Ryder, conserving enough energy for one last push. 15 mins from the finish we swapped positions a lot, luckily on the final swap I was in front.”
The promoter, Brent Windland, made sure the course ramped up in difficulty for the amateurs during Saturday’s races, and opened up harder sections for Sunday’s 10-mile course, which had the top-70 riders from the day before. FactoryOne Sherco and Polaris athlete Keith Curtis made a strong showing, finishing fourth behind Haaker and completing three laps.
Logan Bolopue (Sherco) rode consistently and finished with a solid fifth place.
In the Women’s Pro Class, Shelby Turner (KTM) ended up winning after competing on Saturday.
The next round of the AMA USHE will take place at the Donner Hard Enduro, June 11, where Brian Garrahan will be hosting a hard enduro and AMA D36 hare scramble on the same weekend.
2022 U.S Hard Enduro Round 4 Results
OVERALL
- Trystan Hart (KTM)
- Ryder LeBlond (Hus)
- Colton Haaker (Hus)
- Keith Curtis (She)
- Logan Bolopue (She)
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