2024 US Sprint Enduro Series round three finds KTM riders topping the results sheets and Johnny Girroir continuing his impressive off-road season with victory ahead of Liam Draper and Angus Riordan.

Semora, North Carolina hosted the third round of the US Sprint series, with white three bar fencing and buds emerging on the trees, it was a classic Spring scene.  

On top of the timing sheets was that man again, Johnny Girroir who remains undefeated in the 2024 US Sprint Enduro Series after the FMF KTM Factory Racer won both days of this weekend’s Warrior US Sprint Enduro.

It wasn’t easy though, with some near big crashes and tricky conditions and AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper nipping at his heels (and FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers’ Angus Riordan waiting in the wings), Girroir had to eke out Saturday’s win by just 16 seconds.

“Yesterday was a little rough,” said Girroir. “A couple of crashes and stuff set me back. I think everyone was crashing. It was slick and very unpredictable. Last night, I went to bed a little frustrated and told myself I really need to hit my marks tomorrow. I felt like I did that. It was a good weekend.”

Girroir nearly threw it away on a G-out on Sunday’s opening enduro test, but amazingly was able to save it and still win the test. “I was sweating that one,” said Girroir. “I thought I was a gonner.”

 

In all, Girroir won 11 of the 14 test and topped Draper, who had two test wins, by 16 seconds on Saturday. Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong was third on Saturday, another six second back, while Riordan was fourth, having won the final cross test on Saturday on the 250.

 

Girroir swept Sunday’s racing and beat Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth by 27 seconds, with Pro 2 riders Gus Riordan, Jason Tino and Draper rounding out the top five overall for a different result.

Draper was particularly fast on the cross test, winning two of four on Saturday. “Saturday was really good,” said Draper. “I was the closest I think I’ve ever been to Johnny for most of the day.”

Draper, who is still getting used to the 450, had a big get-off on Saturday. “In cross test four, I hit the dirt hard,” said Draper. “That kind of threw me back. Other than that, I’m super happy with my riding. I’m just learning this 450. Today I struggled a lot with the dry slick and that much horsepower. You got to ride it a lot different than a little bike.”

“Trying to keep Tino off my ass”

FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers Team’s Gus Riordan pushed Draper and Girroir before settling for third overall. He also won the Pro 2 class.

“I started off a bit rough,” said Riordan. “On Saturday’s test one, in the first turn, I laid her down. Sort of set the tone for the day. I was able to just sneak in front of Tino there in the last test. Today, I just kept chipping away and trying to keep Tino off my ass.”

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Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong rode a clean race all weekend and never once hit the ground, however, he struggled to get comfortable in the North Carolina terrain and was off the overall podium. “These things are tough for me,” said DeLong. “I have good days and bad days. I’ll start slow on Saturday and then on Sunday I’m in a hole. I struggle at these things, I guess it’s just something I have to figure out.”

Hot off a big GNCC win, Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth struggled to a sixth on Saturday, but made up for it with a brilliant runner-up behind Girroir on day two to leave him with fifth overall.

Mousse Elite/Husqvarna rider Jason Tino celebrated his birthday with a solid sixth overall and second place in the Pro 2 class.

Phoenix Honda Racing’s Cody Barnes was seventh ahead of GasGas-supported Jack Edmondson, from the United Kingdom in eighth. “I’m definitely improving each time, which is nice,” said Edmondson. “Just kept trying to get closer to these two. It’s my goal, really, and staying quite consistent this weekend. It’s been a good one.”

Morgantown Motorsports Racing’s Layne Michael showed up on a Yamaha, which he is still adjusting to, and came away with ninth overall. Babbitts Off-road Kawasaki’s JoJo Cunningham rounded out the top-10 and finished first in the ProAm division.  

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Richards dominant in Pro Women

FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s rider Brandy Richards dominated the Pro Women’s division, winning all but one test, a cross test, which was won by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede.

“The cross test was tricky with it being super-slick, and the enduro test was even trickier with all the roots,” said Richards. “I think this is the first time I’ve actually felt comfortable in the enduro test, so that’s a big improvement.”

Counting her cross test win combined with several other solid finishes, Steede came home in second. Third went to Ava Silvestri, while fourth place was Carly Lee.

Trevor Jones returned to win the Pro Electric class on his Stark Varg.

Warrior Sprint Enduro overall results, day 1 (top 30):

warrior_us_sprint_enduro_rnd3_results_day_1

Warrior Sprint Enduro overall results, day 2 (top 30):

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Full results and more information: www.ussprintenduro.com

New for 2024 is the FMF Fastest Test Awards given to the racer of the fastest Cross Test and fastest Enduro Test on the weekend in the Youth/Amateur and Pro divisions.

YOUTH DIVISION

Super Mini SR Racer, Cross Test – Caleb Wood 

Super Mini SR Racer, Enduro Test – Caleb Wood 

AMATEUR DIVISION

250 A RACER, Enduro Test – Levi Wilkins

Open A Racer,  Sprint Test – Levi Wilkens

PRO DIVISION

Johnny Girroir, Cross Test 

Johnny Girroir, Enduro Test 

 

Words and Photo Credit: Shan Moore