Photos/Recap by: mjsmotophotos
Round 1 of the Sherco AMA East Extreme Championship
American Enduro kicked off the East coast Championship rounds with last weekend’s Kenda Tough Like RORR. The race stood up to its name, bringing over 250 riders to the small town of Tamaqua. The course spanned over a 15 mile section of black coal dirt and rocky terrain. As if this was not challenge enough, the 90ºF heat coupled with 85% humidity added a physical challenge which would eventually knock out some of even the strongest competitors.
The race took place over two days, progressively getting more and more difficult each round. Saturday’s qualifier placed the riders on a much shorter, and slightly less extreme course than the Sunday rounds did.The pro class turned up riders from all over the nation; from factory Rockstar Husqvarna rider Colton Haaker, to Sherco Factory riders Cody Webb, Nick Fahringer and Quinn Wentzel.
A great line-up set out to claim the Toughest-of-them-all title, but only one would hoist the enormous trophy over their head in a show of RORR victory. After several challenging battles, and two full days of extreme enduro, factory Sherco rider Cody Webb would claim victorious.
“That first lap Haaker and I were pushing pretty hard and I just kept doing dumb stuff behind him.” Cody Webb told me. “..just because the rocks were loose and I was following too close.. so then I backed off a bit and calmed down, but sweat was pouring in to my goggles, so all I wanted when I came in to pit was a fresh set, and was pretty comfortable that whole second lap.”
Cody eventually got up in front of Colton, but Haaker would stay close behind the entire three plus hours. It wasn’t until nearly the end of the race that everything changed.
Coming in to the final check point, Colton was feeling ill and asked to be directed back to the pits for a short stop.. only he would end up lost down a road leading in the wrong direction, with no water, and rapidly declining health. “The walls were closing in at that point. It was all I could do just to keep riding and not die on the side of the road.” He later told me.
Fortunately, Haaker eventually found a course worker and was led back to the pits. After some medical attention, it would turn out he suffered from major heat exhaustion. His drop in position allowed local Ryder LeBron to move in to second place, with Ron Commo taking his first pro-podium position aboard his factory Beta.
At 18 years young, Ryder is planning to do all of the AMA East Extreme rounds, and a few of the west rounds as well. A very impressive ride for such a young guy! Can’t wait to see what else he can do. When I caught up to Ron after the race, he was very happy with his performance. “My arms are spent,” he told me. “I actually bent my throttle so I had to do the whole back and forth cruise control thing.. but other than that the bike was solid and I rode well!” Ron is also doing all the East Enduro rounds, a handful of the west, and he is busy at home with a baby on the way.
Nine hard-core females would brave the black coal streaked hills of TLR. Factory riders included Sherco rider Louise Forsley, and returning competitor Beta’s Rachel Gutish. Rachel was back for redemption with a chip on her shoulder.. and you could tell! Last year her bike gave-out less than a mile from the finish line.
Desperate for the win she attempted to complete the course on foot, only to be told later it would not count. This year she made a point of staying in front of the rest of the women riders, on both days. Louise would keep her on her toes, never far behind.. but ultimately Rachel simply could not be caught. She finished the race strong and eared that W she’s been after since last year. Redemption win’s are SO much more sweet anyway. Rounding out the women’s podium would be Louise with a solid second place, and a heavy throttle hand GNCC ripper, Anna Davis coming in third.
The next race for the Sherco AMA East Extreme Championship will be held July 18-19 in Ohio, Fallen Timbers
The next round for the Sherco AMA West Extreme Championship Info for both rounds here: https://www.americanhardenduro.com/
TLR-Results-2020TLR-Results-2-2020-
