Shan Moore | October 10, 2023
Confidence is everything. After Jonny Walker came from behind to win last year’s AMA EnduroCross Series in the final moto, the Beta rider had plenty of confidence coming into this year’s series opener in Washington, and it showed. Walker flat-out dominated, posting the fastest hot lap, and then he won all three motos for the overall victory on a highly technical course.
Photography by Shan Moore
“I was quietly confident coming in,” he said. “I’ve worked on feeling good. Last year, I was coming off 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 happy with how tonight has gone.”
The IRC Tire EnduroCross Series, presented by Progressive, visited Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett for the opening round of its six-round series. At the end of a full night of exciting race, Walker indeed picked up where he left off last year, winning over runner-up FactoryOne Sherco’s Cody Webb (7-2-3) tally and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Ryder LeBlond (5-3-4).
Walker came out swinging, posting the fastest time in the hot laps ahead of last year’s title rival FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart and Webb. This set the starting order for the first moto. Webb’s Sherco teammate, Cooper Abbott, and factory GasGas rider Taddy Blazusiak were fourth and fifth, respectively.
“On the first lap, in the first race, I felt like I had the speed on Trystan, but I just couldn’t make the pass,” said Walker. “He was on the fastest line, and I wasn’t lapping too much faster than him. I felt like I could close in on him when he made a mistake, but then I couldn’t get it. So, I just tried to pass him a few times and just revved the bike to stress him a little bit, which is difficult on the two-stroke. I always struggle off the start because I can’t hear my bike over the four-strokes. So, when I’m behind him, and I’m revving, he probably doesn’t hear me. But I always do it. I shout and stuff like that.”
The ploy obviously worked since Hart went down in the final turn before the start of the final lap, gifting Walker with the lead.
“I felt smooth, and I felt like I could just ride my own line,” added Walker. “I felt like if I had to push, I had more speed to push. Those last two motos were perfect. I could just ride my own race, not worry about anyone. That was the main thing. And then he went down.
According to the top riders, the Everett, Washington, course was a highly technical one and a course that required not only finesse but consistency, which Walker had in spades.
“This course was more like the SuperEnduros we ride in Europe,” said Walker. “The way the tracks got rutted up and stuff like that is what we’re used to riding. They never groom the tracks back at home in between the motos. So, I just enjoyed tonight. The dirt was perfect. If it gets too hard-pack, that’s when the two-stroke isn’t the best. Tonight was just perfect dirt, and the track was technical. So, it was easy to make a mistake. That’s where I felt comfortable. I felt like I had a good pace. I could ride my own race.”
Hart led the first moto nearly the entire way, until handing the lead to Walker just before the white flag. Hart went on to finish second, followed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker.
“I was able to finish in P2 for both the hot lap and the opening moto, and then from there, honestly, I just struggled,” said Hart. “Disappointing night to finish up fifth, but we’ll regroup as a team and come out stronger in Arizona for the next round.”
In moto two, the order is reversed from the opening moto, so Walker had the last pick on the gate, just behind Webb and LeBlond. Abbott came away with the lead early in the race, while Walker, Hart and Webb were mired midpack. Walker was best at passing on the technical course, and he took the lead by the midway point, with Webb working his way to an eventual second place. The ever-consistent LeBlond finished third.
Hart still had a chance to prove himself heading into the final moto. Walker took the lead early, but Hart was only able to muster an eighth-place finish. Haaker finished second for his second podium of the night. Webb rounded out the moto three podium.
In the final results, Walker took the overall with a 1-1-1 moto sweep, with Webb second at 7-2-3 and LeBlond in third with 5-3-4. Haaker, who had been a challenger all night, was way down in eighth in moto two and fourth overall with a 3-8-2.
“It was the first night on a new bike with the jitters,” said Haaker. “I started off rough. I just had to rely on my training and everything I’ve done, which I did but I still struggled with the track and trying to put it together. I had two good motos. For the second moto I had a bad crash and finished eighth. It was a close night for the podium, and I was just barely off of it. Obviously, some things to work on. It seems like with the bike more than me, to be honest. We’ll get there.”
Mr. Consistency, Ryder LeBlond, did just enough to edge Haaker for the final podium position, his 5-3-4 beating out Haaker by one point for third overall.
“Honestly, I wasn’t the fastest out there,” said LeBlond. “There were a lot of guys faster than me, but I put myself in good positions throughout the night, which is what you have to do. Last year, that’s why Trystan was in the championship. That’s why Jonny was in the championship. They were up there when they needed to be. So, for me, I’m just happy to be up here and get the season started on a good note.”
FactoryOne Sherco’s Cody Webb wedged his way in between Walker and LeBlond for second overall.
“I wasn’t super happy with the night,” said Webb. “But I’ll still took second place. In the first moto, I think I had the jitters. I got a little wild out there and finished seventh. I went down twice, pretty much in the same straight. Not happy with that. Just maybe pushing a little bit too hard. From there, I just settled into the race. I knew I was better than that. I knew I had to get that mindset back. I finished second in the second moto. I wouldn’t call it a second-place ride, but I was just in the right spots and made it happen. In the final moto, I got third. I felt good in that final moto, but I knew where everyone else was, points-wise, for the overall, and I knew I had second, so I didn’t push too hard.
“I honestly felt really good. I was all over Colton the whole moto. I’m thinking big picture here. Last year I started 16th in the championship, and now we’re starting second. It’s a good night. I’m not pumped on the night, but at the end, I have to be happy about it.”
Hart was fifth, two points ahead of GasGas factory rider Taddy Blazusiak.
“I’m not pumped on tonight,” said Blazusiak. “We salvaged a pretty okay sixth, which is not ideal. But I would say we didn’t throw the championship. It’s still not over, but I wasn’t riding at my best. I felt like I was pumping up badly. I had a summer off because of the surgery. I got surgery on my shoulder. I feel like I need a little bit more race miles. So, hopefully, we’re going to be good by round two, and if not that, by round three. I think we’re going to be flying by then. I know what I’ve done, and I know where I’m at. I feel really strong and really good, but then if I go a little bit too hard, I’m pumping up so bad. So, it will come. We just have to wait for it to click.”
Over and Out’s Rachel Gutish topped the Pro Women’s division with two moto wins, ahead of Melissa Harten, who went 4-2. Third went to Kylee Sweeten with a 3-3.
“I challenge any GNCC girl to come out here and run with me here,” said Gutish, “because they can’t. Please put that in print, so [Rachael] Archer comes here. I’d love nothing more than to see that.” CN
OVERALL
- Jonny Walker (Bet) 1-1-1
- Cody Webb (She) 7-2-3
- Ryder LeBlond (Hus) 5-3-4
- Colton Haaker 3-8-2
- Trystan Hart (KTM) 2-5-8
- Taddy Blazusiak (GG) 4-7-6
- Cooper Abbott (She) 10-6-5
- Max Gerston (GG) 8-4-9
- Will Riordan (KTM) 6-9-7
- Anthony Johnson (KTM) 9-10-10