The IRC Tire EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive visited Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, for the opening round of its six-round series. At the end of a full night of exciting race, the UK’s Jonny Walker picked up where he left off last year ‑ with a win.
Race Report and Images by EnduroCross
In fact, the Beta USA-backed rider dominated the event, going 1-1-1 in his three motos, easily topping runner-up FactoryOne Sherco’s Cody Webb’s 7-2-3 tally and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Ryder LeBlond’s 5-3-4. Walker added to his domination of the event by posting the fastest time in hot-laps, ahead of last year’s title rival FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart, and Webb, setting the starting order for the first moto. Webb’s teammate, Cooper Abbott and factory GasGas rider Taddy Blazusiak, were fourth and fifth.
According to the top riders, the Everett, Washington course was a highly technical one, and a course that required not only finesse, but consistency, which Walker had in spades. Hart took the early lead in moto one, followed closely by Walker and Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Colton Haaker, the series 2021 champ. Walker put the pressure on Hart throughout the race, although he never led until the final turn of the next-to-last lap, when Hart lost his front end and went down, gifting Walker first place.
Walker held on for the win, while Hart followed in second, and Haaker finished third. In moto two, the order is reversed from the opening moto, so Walker had last pick on the gate, just ahead of Webb and LeBlond. Abbott came away with the lead early in the race, while Walker, Hart and Webb were mired in mid-pack. Walker was best at passing on the technical course and he lead by the mid-way point, with Webb working his way to an eventual second place, while the ever-consistent LeBlond finished third.
Hart still had a chance heading into the final moto, Walker took the lead early and Hart was only able to muster an eighth-place finish. In the final results, Walker took the overall with a 1-1-1 moto score, with Webb second at 7-2-3 and LeBlond in third with 5-3-4.
“I was quietly confident coming in, you know I’ve worked on feeling good and, honestly, last year, I was coming off of two operations and I finished the first round in eighth so,” said Walker. “So to start this year with a win is huge for me. I knew I was riding good, so I’m really happy with how tonight has gone.”
2023 AMA Super EnduroCross- Round 1: Overall Results (Top 10)
1. Jonny Walker (Bet) 1-1-1
2. Cody Webb (SHR) 7-2-3
3. Ryder LeBlond (Hsq) 5-3-4
4. Colton Haaker (Hsq) 3-8-2
5. Trystan Hart (KTM) 2-5-8
6. Taddy Blazusiak (GG) 4-7-6
7. Cooper Abbott (Shr) 10-6-5
8. Max Gerston (GG) 8-4-9
9. Will Riordan (KTM) 6-9-7
10. Anthony Johnson (KTM) 9-10-10
