In spite of missing the previous two rounds due to injury, Thad Duvall returned to action with a huge win at the Grassman National Enduro in Zanesville, Ohio. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider won four of the six tests and finished the 65-mile race with a one-minute 36-second advantage over runner-up Steward Baylor. FMF KTM Josh Toth finished third, just five seconds behind Baylor, while KR4 Racing’s Cory Buttrick brought his Husqvarna in for fourth overall. Ben Kelley rounded out the top five after destroying his front rotor in the final test. Here’s a look at the race thanks to photographer Shan Moore.
Thad Duvall finished second in tests one and two and then cranked up the heat to win the final four tests of the day in a dominating performance that gave the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider his first win of the season. Shan Moore Josh Toth battled with KTM teammate Ben Kelley for most of the day over second place, however an uncharacteristically “off” performance in the final test cost the Connecticut rider second place, losing out on the position by five seconds to Steward Baylor. Shan Moore Steward Baylor took control of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series point standings with his runner-up finish. The Tely Energy KTM rider came into the race tied with Josh Toth over first place at 123 points each. Shan Moore Grant Baylor won the first test of the day, putting him in great position to win. However, the Tely Energy KTM rider missed a turn on the transfer to the second test and was three minutes late starting the test, which dropped the South Carolina rider out of contention for the win. Shan Moore Ben Kelley held second place for much of the race, but tagged a tree in the final test and blew up his front brake rotor. The Trail Jesters Racing KTM rider still managed a sixth overall finish. Shan Moore Eight-time National Enduro Champ Mike Lafferty rode the 1997 KTM 250 EXC that he used to win his first enduro title. Lafferty told Dirt Rider that riding the bike brought back a lot of memories. Shan Moore KR4 Husqvarna’s Cory Buttrick turned in one of his best finishes of the season with a fourth overall finish. Shan Moore Evan Smith rarely finishes outside the top-10, but the SRT Racing Husqvarna rider struggled in the slick conditions and finished 12th. Shan Moore
Tayla Jones continued her win streak, taking the win in the Women’s Elite division by 13 minutes over Mackenzie Tricker. Shan Moore Josh Toth continues to push Steward Baylor for the top spot in the Kenda AMA National Enduro series title chase. Shan Moore Grassman National Enduro Overall Results
Position
Rider
Brand
1
Thad Duvall
Husqvarna
2
Steward Baylor
KTM
3
Josh Toth
KTM
4
Cory Buttrick
Husqvarna
5
Grant Baylor
KTM
6
Ben Kelley
KTM
7
Craig DeLong
Husqvarna
8
Mike Witkowski
Beta
9
Russell Bobbitt
KTM
10
Andrew Delong
GasGas
2018 Kenda AMA National Enduro Point Standings
Position
Rider
Brand
Points
1
Steward Baylor
KTM
148
2
Josh Toth
KTM
144
3
Grant Baylor
KTM
107
Ben Kelley
KTM
107
5
Cory Buttrick
Husqvarna
95
6
Evan Smith
Husqvarna
80
9
Thad Duvall
Husqvarna
76
7
Andrew Delong
GasGas
71
10
Mike Witkowski
Beta
57
10
Russell Bobbitt
KTM
53