EnduroCross: Hart Closes in on title with Rnd 5 win
Trystan Hart took a decisive step towards the 2024 AMA EnduroCross title with victory at round five in Redmond, Oregon ahead of Colton Haaker and Cody Webb, back with a bang and third overall.
With the series reaching its climax, the Slavens Racing AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance traveled to the First Interstate Bank Center in Redmond, Oregon, for the penultimate round of six this past weekend.
It proved a decisive one for Redbull FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart who took his third overall victory of the season ahead of fastest qualifier and chief championship title rival, Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker.
Leading the point standings by 19 points coming into the Redmond event, and with Triumph Factory rider Jonny Walker absent having returned to the Europe, Hart needed only to claim a pair of podium finishes in the final two rounds to clinch the 2024 championship title.
Hart not holding back
Haaker turned the fastest time during Hot Laps to claim the first pick on the gate for moto one, however it was Hart with the holeshot exiting the first turn, showing his intent form the off this penultimate round was not to settle for podiums but go for the win.
By lap two, FactoryONE Sherco’s returning rider Cody Webb had made his way into fourth in his first race back from surgery on his wrist and knee.
Hart and Haaker pulled away from the field on the first lap in an exciting battle for the lead. Haaker make a pass on Hart to take the top position, only to bobble and hand it right back to the Canadian.
With three laps to go, Haaker finally made a pass stick 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 Rieju Factory Racing’s Dominik Olszowy in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Moto 2 – Webb throws it away
The 16 riders headed into Moto 2 in reverse order of finish positions from race one, meaning the top eight started on the second row and ensuring a dramatic first few laps.
Hart was the first among the top riders at the exit of turn one in the second moto, rounding the turn in fourth.
But the KTM rider came together with FactoryONE Sherco’s Cooper Abbott later in the lap and dropped towards the rear, leaving Abbott in third. In the meantime, Hart was mired back in eighth place with Haaker in 11th.
Webb was running strong and passed Abbott on lap four to move into third place, while Hart and Haaker fought their way through the pack.
At the halfway mark, Webb held a five-second lead over Hart, with Haaker in third, setting up a titanic battle for the top step in the final laps.
Hart and Haaker moved to the back wheel of Webb and were applying pressure when, on the final lap, with the checkered flag within sight, Webb went down over a log, giving Hart the win and Haaker second. Olszowy also slotted in ahead of Webb with GasGas’ Branden Petrei, completing the top five in Moto 2.
Moto 3 showdown – Hart and Haaker tied on points
Hart and Haaker came into Moto 3 tied for the overall lead and with it all to play for Hart got 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 lengths back.
Haaker tried several times to pass Hart for the lead, but Hart remained steady and stuck to the fastest line, leaving no openings for Haaker.
At the finish of Moto three, the order remarkably stayed the same in the top five with Hart, Haaker, Webb, Olszowy, and LeBlond. As for the overall results, Hart took the victory, with Haaker second and Webb in third.
OREGON EX PRO CLASS OVERALL RESULTS
1. Trystan Hart (KTM) 2-1-1
2. Colton Haaker (Hsq) 1-2-2
3. Cody Webb (Shr) 3-4-3
4. Dominik Olszowy (Rei)
5. Ryder LeBlond (Hsq) 4-7-5
6. Cooper Abbott (Shr) 8-8-6
7. Branden Petrie (GG) 9-5-8
8. Max Gerston (Bet) 6-6-10
9. Tim Apolle (Bet) 7-10-7
10. Anthony Johnson (KTM) 10-12-9
“I was really nervous today but once the gate drops it kind of all goes away and I can do my thing,” said Hart. “In the first moto I was just cruising, and it was nice following Haaker and staying out of trouble because we had a big gap. In the second moto I said I wanted to win; I haven’t won one all year and that went
pretty well. And then that last moto was has a big battle with Colton, he had the pressure on and I didn’t crack like I have a couple of times this year so that one feels pretty good.”
With just one round remaining, Hart has a huge 24-point lead over Haaker in the series standings with Jonny Walker sitting in third, another 22 points back.
Dominant Pro Women’s win for Turner
In the Pro Women’s division, Enduro Engineering/GasGas/FXR Moto’s Shelby Turner dominated both motos, going 1-1 to take another step towards a sixth national title. Defending Series champ, Team KBS Sherco’s Rachel Gutish went 2-2 for second overall, while GasGas-mounted Kylee Sweeten went 3-3 for third overall.
“It was actually a lot trickier than the pros are making it look,” said the Canadian. “The holes in the rocks are deep and the water's carrying and it's technical. The tires across from the finish are tricky and if you're not jumping up though them it's kind of 50/50 on how it's gonna be. But all in all it was a good ride. I was just trying to keep solid and consistent and have a lot of fun out there.”
The Slavens Racing AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance resumes with its sixth and final round on November 16th at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington.
More information: www.endurocross.com
Words Credit: Shan Moore
Photo Credit: Jack Jaxson
