2018 Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series Round 1 — Photo Gallery 2

Another look at the opening round of the start of this year’s sprint series

The opening round of a race series is always one of the most exciting events of the year, with new teams, bikes, and gear. The start of the 2018 AMA Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series at Moccasin Creek Off Road Park in Georgia was no different, with defending champ Steward Baylor and his brother Grant showing up with new colors and a new team, Tely Energy Racing. Several others also showed up with new rides. It's likewise thrilling to see who did their homework during the off-season. Ryan Sipes was definitely on his game, the Rockstar/Leatt/Maxxis Husqvarna rider edging out Baylor for the top spot at the end of the weekend. Here's another look back at last weekend's action.

It’s six seconds until go time for the morning amateur program. Dozens of young riders filled out entries in anticipation of learning the ropes and maybe even someday landing a factory ride.Shan Moore
Evan Smith showed up sporting new colors. For 2018, the Georgia rider is on a Husqvarna for the West Coast-based SRT Offroad team. Smith finished fifth in the Pro class.Shan Moore
New Zealand’s Liam Draper is competing full time in the US this year, and the KR4 Husqvarna-backed rider took the top spot in the new Pro2 division.Shan Moore
US Women’s Six Day’s rider Rachel Gutish turned in a good ride on her new Beta. The Indiana native was fifth in the Women’s Pro division.Shan Moore
Five-time national enduro champion Russell Bobbitt is running his own team in 2018 called Gnarly Routes with help from KTM. Bobbitt and his business partner will be hosting adventure rides around the country. Anyone who is interested can check out the calendar at gnarlyroutes.com.Shan Moore
Grizzly Peaks Yamaha team out of North Carolina is another new addition to the 2018 AMA Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series. Jacob Rowland put his YZ250FX into second place in the new Pro2 class. The team’s bikes are works of art and backed in part by Randy Hawkins’ AmPro Yamaha.Shan Moore
In just his second ride with the team, Mike Witkowski put his Beta USA-backed two-stroke 250 RR into eighth place in the Pro class.Shan Moore
Tanner Way finished fifth in the Open A class. Here, he exits the swamp section of the Enduro test. Rain threatened all weekend. Had it poured, this section would have been under water.Shan Moore
Australian Josh Strang (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory) got a strong jump out of the gate en route to a solid podium finish.Shan Moore
Fly/Maxxis/Seat Concepts KTM’s Becca Sheets rounded out the Women’s Pro podium with a third-place finish.Shan Moore
Coastal Racing’s Layne Michael finished seventh in the Pro class. Layne posted a third in one of the Cross tests and backed that up with several other top-five placings.Shan Moore
North Carolina’s Dylan Zimpel got a drive out of the swamp on his way to fifth in the Lites A class.Shan Moore