US Sprint Enduro: Girroir fights off the Aussies at Pearl’s Pond Farm
FMF KTM’s Johnny Girroir came out on top of a two-day battle with RPM Racing KTM’s Angus Riordan and Babbitts Online Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Lyndon Snodgrass to claim the overall win at the Pearl’s Pond Farm Sprint Enduro, round five of the US Sprint Enduro Series.
When the final timing beam was crossed, Johnny Girroir had taken six of the 12 tests over the weekend and eventually topped Angus Riordan by 28 seconds to take the overall.
But the Connecticut rider never had it as easy as that sounds in taking both individual days at round five of the series, with Australian duo Riordan and Snodgrass, plus former US Sprint champ Layne Michael hounding the series leader all the way.
Riordan went into the final test on day one with a 12-second lead over Girroir, but an unfortunate crash cost the Aussie 13 seconds and handed the win to the FMF KTM rider by just 1.4 seconds.
“Yesterday was a nail-biter,” said Girroir. “Gus was ripping. He had me by 12 seconds going into the last test. Unfortunately, he had a crash, and I kept it on two wheels and had my best enduro test of the day and took the overall by just a little bit.”
“I came into today [day 2] knowing that I had to go fast and it was the other Aussie that was going fast, Lyndon [Snodgrass]. We had a good battle all the way down to the final test. Layne Michael was on it, too. He crushed that last enduro test that he got me by a second. We all finished super close.
Going into the last enduro test, we were all seven seconds from each other, so it was really anyone’s race. One mistake and it could have been over. Just happy with a mistake-free weekend.”
So close for Riordan
Angus Riordan, who won three tests in total (all on Saturday) was second overall and first in the Pro 2 division, despite having a rough day on Sunday. Riordan was second behind Girroir on Saturday, but finished fourth on Sunday.
“Yeah, I started off good, sort of feeling fairly comfortable and I think I had a twelve-second lead on the overall coming into the last test, but I just had a stupid little mistake, which cost me the overall,” said Riordan. “I hit a root. It was running diagonal across, parallel to the rut. I tried getting out of the rut earlier, and the rest is history. Today I was off the overall pace a little bit, but it was good. A bit sketchier but it was fun.”
First US Sprint in two years for Snodgrass
Babbitt’s Online Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Lyndon Snodgrass, who was riding his first sprint enduro in two years, was third on both days (behind Girroir plus Riordan and FXR/GasGas’ Layne Michael) for third overall for the weekend, three seconds behind Riordan.
“I started off a little slow after yesterday morning, but picked up the pace, although I wasn’t quite with Johnny or Gus,” said Snodgrass. “Today started off good. Got the first cross test win and then was sort of just a little bit off Johnny again today. But all in all, it was a good weekend of racing.”
Layne Michael came on strong in the end at Pearl’s Pond Farm, winning the final test of the event and putting himself into fourth overall for the weekend.
“I just kind of shifted my bike up a gear and just kind of smoothed out,” said Michael. “I think I was trying to be too aggressive in the beginning tests today. Yesterday I had a pretty good day overall. I just crashed in the last enduro test and kind of lost touch, but today was better. I obviously struggled a little bit in the first enduro test, but once I kind of figured out to shift the bike up a gear and let the bike do the work for me, it was a lot better.”
P2 in Pro2 for Barbosa
Phoenix Honda Racing’s Ruy Barbosa, of Chile, was second in the Pro 2 class with a fifth overall.
“Yesterday I started really good in the beginning, although I had a small crash in the cross test,” said Barbosa. “Today was a different day, more dry. I felt pretty good, but I need to improve with my speed in enduro test. I think I lost the race in enduro test.”
Barbosa’s Phoenix Honda Racing teammate Cody Barnes rounded out the Pro 2 podium with a sixth overall finish after getting off to a rough start.
“Saturday was rough for me,” admitted Barnes. “I just didn’t ride like myself and really struggled to find comfort and speed. Those guys put it to me Saturday. Today, I just kind of changed my mind set and changed some stuff on the setup for the bike. I kind of stiffened my stuff up and that made a big difference.”
Top ProAm rider was Precision Offroad Racing’s Dominik Morse in seventh overall. Fellow Husqvarna rider Jason Tino and Kawasaki-mounted Chase Colville were eighth and ninth, which rounded out the podium in the ProAm class. Meanwhile, Tely Energy Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM’s Ben Nelko rounded out the top 10 overall for the weekend.
Zacho’s back, but not for long
Yamaha’s Zach Osborne made his return to racing after injuring his elbow early in the year but was straight back to the medics on day one. The AmPro Yamaha rider injured his ankle and DNFd the race to get it checked out. “I think I’m okay,” said Osborne. “I just wanted to make sure for next weekend.” (GNCC round five).
Top Amateur was Zack Toth, who won the Open A division in 14th. “It was a good weekend,” said Toth. “It was probably the most fun track of the series this year. I was able to stay off the ground, for the most part and take home the win. It was a good weekend.”
Tricker nails huge Women’s Pro win
In the Women’s Pro division, Enduro Engineering GasGas’ Mackenzie Tricker put a whoopin’ on the field, taking the overall win by three minutes after winning 11 of 12 tests.
“Honest to God, I’m kind of speechless,” said Tricker. “I know if I ride like I know how to, I don’t see why I shouldn’t ride like this all the time but it’s easier said than done. I just really tried to focus on being smooth and opening up my turns and riding a taller gear. Just coming from moto, I used to just ride second gear on the limiter all the time. My bike works a lot better in a taller gear.
“Honestly, just I had a little chip on my shoulder after getting hurt at the second round, so it kind of put me out of the championship for this series. So, I kind of wanted to come back for some redemption. So, I’m super happy. It’s Easter. It was a great weekend.”
On the flipside, AmPro Yamaha’s Rachel Archer had a weekend she’d rather forget...“It was a pretty rough weekend,” said Archer. “Day one was very slippery and you had to be patient. I had zero patience yesterday and crashed twice in the first test and again in the enduro. I was just struggling being smooth and Kenzie was smoking me.
“Then I finally won the last enduro test after I switched to an AT81 rear tire. Today I rode a lot better. I had sorted out my lines and stuff. Kenzie was just on rails all weekend and I couldn’t seem to figure out this track. So, on to the next one.”
Over and Out Racing’s Rachel Gutish rounded out the Women’s Pro podium.
US SPRINT Rnd 5 overall results, day1:
Day 2:
Round the classes round-up
In the Youth Divisions, Austin Tsakanikas was once again the overall winner for the weekend and first place in the Super Mini Senior (14-15) class. Tsakanikas beat out Caleb Johnson by six minutes and 21 seconds. Rylan McCullough finished third for the weekend.
Mason Tsakanikas went 3-1 to beat out Michael Meyer for the overall win in the Super Mini Junior class. Ryder Reick was third overall for the weekend.
Brenan Mazzola won the overall in the 85 Senior division by over six minutes. Tyler Yost was second overall, while Noah Hertzler was third overall.
Maddox Hudnall took a big win in the 85 Junior division ahead of Nathaniel Oswald and Nolan Hudson.
Rylan Roberts claimed his second overall win in a row in the 65 Senior class, beating out Dylan Yeckley and Maddix Wiggins.
Sisters Lola and Josie Grozbean fought it out in the Girls (10-16) division, with Lola getting the best of Josie for the win. Nicole Rupert was third.
In a repeat of the previous round, Colt Chaney topped Aubrey Tsakanikas and Mason Ramsey to win the 65 Junior class.
Maci Ryan got the win the Trail Bike class, beating out Ryder and Myla Stephens.
Maura Tsakanikas was tops in the 50 Senior (7-8) division, beating Oliver Stewart and James Dietrich for the overall win.
In the 50cc Junior division (4-6) Ryder Baricska beat Carson Zink and John Dietrich for the overall win. Zink was second, while Dietrich was third.
The US Sprint Enduro Series resumes action on April 29-30 at Promised Land MX in Old Town, Maryland, for round six.
More information: www.ussprintenduro.com
Words and Photo Credit: Shan Moore
