Triumph Racing’s Jonny Walker overcomes qualifying disaster and brutal track conditions to win 2025 EnduroCross title on tiebreaker with FMF KTM’s Trystan Hart “riding like a Junior” for runner-up spot and Ryder Leblond third overall.

The 2025 AMA EnduroCross title fight went all the way to the wire, ending in one of the most dramatic conclusions the series has seen. Triumph Racing’s Jonny Walker emerged as champion after a night of tension in Everett, tying on points with defending champion Trystan Hart and winning the crown on most race victories.

The EnduroCross finale at Angel of the Winds Arena was brutal in more ways than one. Soft, deep ruts and moisture-heavy dirt made the track ride more like a Hard Enduro, leaving riders fighting for traction and rhythm from the opening lap. In those conditions, the smallest advantage mattered – which made Walker’s qualifying disaster all the more significant.

Qualifying chaos: Walker starts the night on the back foot

Chasing a perfect season in hot lap qualifying, Walker’s 450 stalled mid-run and refused to fire quickly. The issue left him ninth and last among the Pro riders, handing Hart a huge advantage with second pick on the gate. Heading into the final round three points ahead, Hart only needed to finish ahead of Walker through the night to seal a third straight title.

Walker, however, had already shown in Reno that he was at his best with his back to the wall. He needed to do it again – and more – if he wanted the championship.

Moto one: Haaker steams the gate, Walker charges from the back

The opening moto ignited instantly with Colton Haaker jumping the gate and tearing through for an illegal holeshot. Officials let the race continue, but the infraction would cost him later.

Hart settled into the top positions early while Walker – buried by his gate pick – stormed forward from ninth. The conditions were treacherous and passing was difficult, but Walker’s pace in the deep ruts and technical sections was on another level. When Haaker faltered in the obstacles, Walker seized the lead and sprinted clear to win moto one, making a statement that the title fight was far from over.

Hart finished second, Webb third, and Haaker later received a one-lap penalty that dropped him to eighth.

Moto two: Walker perfect again, Hart under pressure

With the inversion start mixing up the order, Niko Piazza took the holeshot and briefly controlled the early chaos. Walker and Hart, starting from the back, began slicing through the field.

Walker rode with clinical precision on the technical lines, while Webb’s trials skills shone as he pushed towards the front. By mid-distance Walker was in complete control once again, going on to take his second straight moto win. Webb claimed second and Hart third, a result that completely shifted the championship picture.

Two moto wins meant Walker now held the tiebreaker advantage. For Hart, the pressure was suddenly immense.

Moto three: Hart’s last stand and Walker’s racecraft

Hart launched into the final moto with the holeshot and a clear mission to win. The race quickly turned into a three-way fight between Hart, Webb and LeBlond, until Webb went down heavily after being caught in a deep rut. Walker, running close behind, inherited the lead.

This set up the showdown everyone expected. Hart attacked, took the lead, and pushed to try and break Walker. But Walker didn’t need to win – he only needed to stay close. His response was a tactically perfect ride, shadowing Hart to the flag and crossing the line second for the title on tie-break.

Reactions: a champion regained, a champion dethroned

Walker’s relief was obvious. After struggling with starts early in the season, the Triumph rider found his form when it mattered most, winning five of the final six motos across Reno and Everett.

“Honestly, it’s just... it's amazing, you know,” Walker said. “We came into here, and I was confident after the last round. We made some bike changes. The track was the way it was, so... stupendous night, and I can't wait to go home.”

Hart, meanwhile, was honest in defeat. After describing his riding earlier in the night as “like a junior”, he found speed in the final moto but not enough to overturn Walker’s advantage. His run of top-two finishes stretching back to 2022 remains one of the most impressive records in EnduroCross.

The supporting cast: Webb fourth, LeBlond’s breakthrough

Behind the headline battle, Cody Webb wrapped up fourth in the championship after a strong night in Everett, despite his race-three crash.

Ryder LeBlond sealed a career-best third in the standings, a major step forward for the Husqvarna rider who described 2025 as a valuable building season. His consistency across all rounds proved decisive in a tight fight with Webb and Haaker.

A night shaped by the track

The Everett course was described by multiple riders as one of the toughest in recent years, Ryder LeBlond said it was the toughest he had ever raced. 

Deep, gluey ruts forced riders to commit early to lines and punished mistakes brutally. Two-strokes had a slight advantage with their lighter feel in the soft conditions, while three-motos of this intensity pushed forearm pump and fitness to the limit.

Triumph’s historic title

The championship marks Triumph Racing’s first major off-road title and a significant milestone in their global off-road programme. It also completes a personal redemption arc for Walker, returning to the top.

FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS – EX PRO

1 Jonny Walker Great Britain, NA 141 Wins title via tiebreaker (10 moto wins)

2 Trystan Hart Invermere, BC 141 (7 moto wins)

3  Ryder LeBlond New Florence, PA 108 Career-best finish

4 Cody Webb Indian Hills, CO 106 Three-time champion

5 Colton Haaker Coeur d Alene, ID 105 Five-time champion

6 Max Gerston New River, AZ 89

7 Tim Apolle Finne, NA 84

8 Branden Petrie Tomahawk, AB 78

9 Braxton Hintze Nephi, UT 74

10 Cooper Abbott Surprise, AZ 68

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EX PRO WOMEN FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Rachel Gutish Terre Haute, IN Rieju

2 Shelby Turner Barons, AB GasGas

3 Chantelle Bykerk Salmon Arm, BC KTM

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EX EXPERT FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Ty Cullins Phoenix, AZ TM

2 Marc Fernandez Barcelona, NA Rieju

3 Nick Thompson Goshen, UT KTM

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EX NOVICE FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Tim Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

2 Ethan Surry Parksville, BC KTM

3 Conlan Archer Sisters, OR Sherco

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EX INTERMEDIATE FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Kael Widdicombe Billings, MT Fantic

2 Max Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

3 Landon Lampinen Stanwood, WA Husqvarna

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EX VETERAN FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Bobby Prochnau Salmon Arm, BC KTM

2 Xavier Leon Sole Barcelona, NA KTM

3 Gavin McCarthy El Cajon, CA KTM

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EX JUNIOR FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Max Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

2 Cole Clarkson Paradise, CA GasGas

3 Kael Widdicombe Billings, MT Fantic

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EX CLUB FINAL RESULTS – ROUND 6

1 Landon Lampinen Stanwood, WA Husqvarna

2 Cooper Stevens Lake Stevens, WA GasGas

3 Tim Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

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2025 AMA ENDUROCROSS SERIES RESULTS

EX PRO WOMEN FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Rachel Gutish Terre Haute, IN Rieju

2 Shelby Turner Barons, AB GasGas

3 Chantelle Bykerk Salmon Arm, BC KTM

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EX EXPERT FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Marc Fernandez Barcelona, NA Rieju

2 Ty Cullins Phoenix, AZ TM

3 Nico Piazza Dalton Gardens, ID HSQ

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EX NOVICE FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Ethan Surry Parksville, BC KTM

2 Conlan Archer Sisters, OR Sherco

3 Tegan Warnick Shelley, ID KTM

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EX INTERMEDIATE FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Max Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

2 Cooper Stevens Lake Stevens, WA GasGas

3 Cole Clarkson Paradise, CA GasGas

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EX VETERAN FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Gavin McCarthy El Cajon, CA KTM

2 Ray Amos Athol, ID KTM

3 Bobby Prochnau Salmon Arm, BC KTM

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EX JUNIOR FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Max Eppelmann Stadecken-Elsheim, NA Beta

2 Cole Clarkson Paradise, CA GasGas

3 Kael Widdicombe Billings, MT Fantic

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EX CLUB FINAL RESULTS – SERIES

1 Cooper Stevens Lake Stevens, WA GasGas

2 Ostyn Fox Lower Nicola, BC Yamaha

3 Shandon Millett Ephraim, UT Kawasaki

 

More information: www.endurocross.com   

 

Photo Credit: Jack Jaxson