South Carolina Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Race Report 2016

N-Fab Am Pro Yamaha’s Daniel Milner didn't let the bitter cold bother him as he claimed the top spot at round one of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series in Gaston, South Carolina, finishing 12 seconds ahead of second place.

The temperature dipped down in the low 30s on Saturday and near 20 degrees on Sunday as over 350 riders attacked two sandy tests (a Cross test and an Enduro test), which were ridden three times each day during the course of the two-day event.

Milner, who led Team Australia to an upset victory at last year’s International Six Days Enduro in Slovakia, came into the South Carolina event as one of the heavy favorites to win, along with fellow Aussie Josh Strang, who finished the event in third. Both riders excel in the “World Enduro” format and did not disappoint by collectively claiming eight of the 12 test wins on the weekend (five for Milner and three for Strang).

DuVall didn’t win a test on Sunday, but his performance was consistent enough for the runner-up slot.

“It was close racing between me and Daniel and Josh today,” said DuVall. “We’ve been testing the air forks this year and I don't know what happened but halfway through the first test my front fender was touching my front tire, so that was a problem getting through the first test. After the test we put different forks on the bike and it took me the next test to get used them. I didn’t want to go out and charge as hard as I could because it wasn’t something I had been riding on. But once I figured them out we made a few clicks and they were right there.”

Strang won three tests on the weekend: one on Saturday and two on Sunday, as the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider rounded out the podium in third despite losing some time in the final test.

“There was some bunting down and I over-shot a couple of corners and that cost me,” said Strang. “Other than the last test, I felt like I rode pretty good but I’m still trying to just get time on the bike. The cold weather has made it difficult to get in a lot of quality time on the bike. So I think I just need to get time on the bike.”

Beta USA’s Jesse Groemm finished as high as second place in two tests and put his two-stoke into fourth overall. Meanwhile, Bobbitt sat in third after Day One, but struggled on Sunday on the rougher course and ultimately settled for fifth.

OVERALL RESULTS