2025 US Hard Enduro: Ryder LeBlond takes series lead with River Monster USHE win
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond takes second win of the 2025 US Hard Enduro season, the River Monster Hard Enduro, and the series points lead ahead of FMF KTM’s Trystan Hart.
Set in the rolling hills of Glen Lyn, Virginia, at Kairos Wilderness Resort, the sixth round of the 2025 Bullet Proof Designs US Hard Enduro Series, Presented by IRC Tire, proved this is a season we’re going to remember.
Three different winners now in the six rounds including multi-time champions Trystan Hart and Cody Webb, with Will Riordan pushing all the time on the Sherco and the man of the moment Ryder LeBlond now delivering a second victory for Husqvarna.
Despite some pre-weekend rain, the property dried quickly, and conditions were perfect for the races which featured sections such as the infamous White Whale, a rocky uphill creek bed that is well-known in the 4x4 community, and Clam Rock, a steep pair of tight switchbacks in loose terrain, were just a couple of the challenging sections on the docket for the weekend.
Cody Webb up Chocolate Goddess...
Amateurs thrown into Puke Creek
Amateurs tackled two tough 16-mile laps in the first five-hour race, starting with a rocky creek bed and pushing through steep climbs, creek beds, and technical sections. The final stretch featured logs, tyres, and water troughs before the finish.
Geiner Cordero took the overall win, grabbing the lead at checkpoint two and finishing 18 minutes ahead of Gage Hill, with Tyler Labelle in third. Youth riders Tucker Edmondson, Graham Kobak, and Bentlee Bredekamp all finished strong inside the top 10.
Sunday’s 5-hour race turns into 2-hour sprint hard enduro
Sunday saw the Pro and A class riders take a slightly different plan on the five-hour course. Starting off on lap one, riders would follow the same course the amateurs ran the day prior, with a few additions, including running the EnduroCross track at the start of the race.
After that, riders followed a brand-new course which consisted of the most challenging creeks and hill climbs of the weekend.
Had the venue seen any rain on the day, the finish times would easily have been doubled. However, the temperatures and sunny skies helped to dry the course, resulting in hill climbs with plenty of traction, and creek beds with low water levels, turning the hard enduro into a fast-paced sprint.
Log proves Riordan’s downfall
Right off the start, FactoryONE Sherco’s Will Riordan took the lead after the second corner and held it for the whole first lap, with Ryder LeBlond and Trystan Hart hot on his heels; the pair was left to battle for position between one another until the start of the second lap when Riordan’s failed attempt to take a shortcut over a log gave them an opening to overtake.
Close finish
The course was tight with few places to make a pass, so it was crucial to capitalise on a competitor’s mistakes. LeBlond was able to get out in front, with Riordan and Hart trading positions until a navigation error towards the final stretch left Hart with an opportunity to pull a few bike lengths ahead and secure second place. Riordan would cross the finish line 14 seconds after Hart to round out the podium.
GNCC’s Ashburn fourth OA
With a weekend free and a race close to home, Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s GNCC rider, Jordan Ashburn threw his hat in the ring. Having experience in riding hard enduro, Ashburn was no slouch and kept within a minute behind the podium the entire first lap. That stretched during lap two but Ashburn would finish only 18 minutes behind the podium for fourth overall.
Behind him was Rocky Mountain Yamaha’s Cody Webb closing out the top five, two minutes later after a crash near the start of the race left him last and with a lot of work to do.
Say what? Riders explains their races:
2025 River Monster Hard Enduro results:
LeBlond’s win puts him in the points lead, but with riders afforded a drop round, LeBlond needs to secure a few more race wins to secure the overall title.
The next USHE round will be the Keystone Challenge in Pennsylvania – two days of racing Tough Like RORR in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, on May 24 and May 25 followed by the Locked & Loaded Hard Scramble in Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania, on May 26.
For full results: www.moto-tally.com/USHE/Results.aspx
Website: www.ushardenduro.com
Words credit: Steph Vetterly – On The Pegs Magazine
Photo Credit: Califia Concepts + Steph Vetterly
