The Tennessee Knockout Enduro is currently America’s largest Hard Enduro. It has steadily been growing in popularity through its seven year existence. It brings Hard Enduro enthusiasts from across the country, and the globe, to the hot & humid hills of the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, TN.
Ever since Cody Webb took his first win at the TKO Enduro in 2013, he has had a wide variety of competitors try and knock him off the top step of the podium. Many TKO fans were excited for Jonny Walker in 2015, Wade Young in 2016 and Graham Jarvis and Mario Roman in 2017. All challengers have shown great speed and stamina, but none have bested Webb.
Saturday – Amateur Race and Qualifications for Sunday
For Fun, For Glory and For The Beer Afterwards.
The two day event starts off with the Amateurs who want to try to qualify for Sunday’s activities. These masochistic enthusiasts may have an idea what they are getting themselves into. The ones who are new to the event typically come in with little understanding how challenging the event can be.
Yes, that is a BMW R1200GS Adventure. Tom Asher pushed hard, but failed to qualify for Saturday’s afternoon event.
Every year the course swaps directions. The Uphill Swamp was a downhill blessing to the riders this year. As slippery as everyone said the course was, this would of been another spectator hold-out had riders been going uphill.
Amateur Race #2
Who was going to come out on top and make it to Sunday? The Top 30 will get their chance.
Amateur Awards – Bronze, Silver and Gold
Jarrett Mohn, AMA’s Newest Extreme Offroad Amateur National Champion
Morgan Tanke and Victoria Harcy ran the first Amateur race and qualified for the Women’s Final. This was Tanke’s first TKO appearance, but Harcy has been a long time Hard Enduro competitor.
Sunday – The Battle Begins
Invited and Qualified riders, it’s time to get down to business. The Hot Laps are first, setting the pecking order for the TKO #1.
TKO #1
The racers started 30 seconds apart, in the order they finished in the Hot Laps.
Newly Introduced LCQ Straight Rhythm Event
New this year was a chance for the riders on the 25 rider limit to go head-to-head to compete for a 26th spot in TKO #2. The way the crowd reacted, we know we’ll see this evolve into more of a thing in years to come.
TKO #2
After the LCQ Winner was decided, the racers lined up 5 at a time. Placement was decided by how they finished in TKO #1. 3 of the racers from each grouping would advance into the Final.
If you haven’t noticed, this log was hiptastic!
TKO Final
30 Minutes + Two Laps. Cody Webb jumped out front, but Jarvis and Roman kept him honest for a better part of the event.