2025 Bullet Proof Designs US Hard Enduro Series, Presented by IRC Tire, round eight saw FMF KTM’s Trystan Hart top of the podium for the second race of the Memorial Day weekend’s Keystone Challenge, the Locked-N-Loaded Hard Scramble, in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania.

Located just 30 minutes north of Tough Like RORR, the Locked-N-Loaded Hard Scramble is a prime Pennsylvania terrain. The race consists of three laps, the first being 16 miles in length, while the second and third laps are shorter at only eight miles, but contain more difficult sections. 

Unlike the RORR venue two days. previous, Sugarloaf’s terrain drains much slower, and the rain that fell earlier in the week stuck around on the course, adding an extra challenge to the gnarly rock gardens and loose hill climbs in the final laps.

Hart meant business

Off the start, it was Trystan Hart and FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Riordan vying for the holeshot.  Riordan took a wider line but Hart was able to take the lead going into the trees.

After the first eight miles, it was Rocky Mountain Yamaha’s Cody Webb out front leading into the endurocross section. With an upcoming trip to compete at Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Webb had two different bikes ready to go to help minimize prep time.

Webb admitted that the engine he chose to race Tough Like RORR would’ve been a better call, as he found himself spinning out more than he wanted, especially on the first lap when the rocks were dry.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond was able to make a pass for the lead going into the latter half of the first lap, but lost time and his advantage in a hillclimb when Hart was able to fly up cleanly.

No traction on relentless rocks

The second and third laps used the latter portion of the opening lap, and the course deteriorated quickly. Lines were saturated with mud and traction was nowhere to be found. Add in riders on their first lap who tried their best to move themselves and their bike out of the way for the leaders, and the only way to push forward was to search for new and innovative lines.

Between the loose hills which had little to no traction, and the rocky climbs where almost every rock was loose, the race became a grueling fight to the finish, six inches at a time.

Hart was able to start pulling away from Riordan and Webb, impressively extending his lead to almost 30 minutes by the time he saw the checkered flag. Webb was over five minutes behind LeBlond going into the second lap, but used his trials skills to overcome a gnarly rock garden and overtook for third. 

He repeated this on the final lap, made a pass on Riordan in the same place and finished over eight minutes ahead for a second-place while Riordan held his position to round out the podium.

Say what? Riders talk us through their races…

In the amateur class, it was Niko Piazza from Dalton Gardens, Idaho, with the win on the day, leading from the third checkpoint. Maverik Thaxton would take second, with Jobel Coronado taking the final step in third. 

Canadian one-two

In the Women’s Pro class, Canadian Katie Hall-Leah once again established herself as a strong competitor.

Rieju USA’s Rachel Gutish was able to pull almost a 20-minute lead over Hall-Leah despite having broken her finger at the National Enduro round the day before, but dropped back after the rock gardens in the Stairway sections.

Katie was able to push one checkpoint further by the end of the five-hour time limit, pushing past the challenging section known as Tombstone and riding through the enduro transfer.

Check the action with Max Gerston on the follow cam:

Results (top 25 – no times available):

Round 9 of the series will be hosted at the Donner Ski Resort on June 21-22, serving as the final round of the AMA West Hard Enduro Series and the penultimate round of the USHE Premier Championship.

Full results: http://www.moto-tally.com/USHE/Results.aspx

More information: www.ushardenduro.com

Words Credit: Steph Vetterly | On The Pegs Magazine

Photo Credit: Steph Vetterly + Calafia Photos