Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker chased reigning AMA EnduroCross Champion Cody Webb for most of the main event before making the pass to land his fourth series win of the season during round five of the 2016 series at National Western Events Center in Denver, Colorado, last night.
Haaker, the reigning FIM SuperEnduro World Champion, got off to a hot start by winning his heat race and then later setting the fastest time in the Hot Lap session to earn first pick of front-row starting positions for the main event. However, Webb, who had battered himself by crashing earlier in the evening, was still motivated to slow Haaker’s title charge.
Haaker claimed the $500 Nexen Tire Holeshot Award and took the early lead, while the FMF/KTM Factory Racing-backed Webb ran third behind Haaker’s Rockstar Husky teammate, Mike Brown. When Haaker faltered in the Matrix section, Webb capitalized and took the race lead.
Webb appeared to have the race well in hand as Haaker continued to struggle in the Matrix section during several laps. But then Webb had a miscue of his own when he stalled while negotiating a tractor tire and fell backward, allowing Haaker to close the gap, only to struggle in the Matrix again. Up front, the pair set a furious pace, allowing them to lap up through third-placed Max Gerston. On lap 14, Webb drifted wide into a corner after bobbling in the firewood pit, and that gave Haaker the shot he was waiting for. Haaker slipped past Webb and held the lead for the final two laps to take the win.
“This one was hard,” Haaker said. “I kept messing up the Matrix, and Cody [Webb] was nailing it. Soon, I got over making mistakes in the beginning and started racing smoother and kept on it through lappers. Then, Webb had a mistake after the firewood and I got in there. I just needed to get in front on the last lap and I’m glad I made it happen.”
Webb finished a close second.
“It was a great race here in Denver,” Webb said. “Honestly, it was a rough day for me after going down really hard in the heat race, and [I] had to ice both my wrists, my shoulder and tailbone and take some Advil to get out here. I got an okay start in the main and knew I was nailing the Matrix, so when [Mike] Brown and [Colton] Haaker had trouble in there, I made it to the front. It was really crucial to jump out of the firewood tonight, and I just couldn’t quite commit while I was in the lead. I knew right away Haaker jumped it and had a line on me for the lead. I was riding at the top of my game, and know I could have had it tonight. After the two-week break I know I’ll be ready to be back.”
Gerston finished third to make his first podium visit of the season.
“I am super stoked,” Gerston said. “I got off to a rough start, but I was able to find some cool lines through the firewood pit and get by some guys. At that point I was in fifth and had to battle through fourth, and then had to battle my teammate, Kyle Redmond, to get into third. We had some fun block passes, and I’m just stoked to be up here at the end of the night even though I was lapped by the top two guys. I honestly don’t know how I could go any faster than I was and I was still lapped.”
Ty Tremaine finished fourth, and Kyle Redmond completed the top five.
The AMA EnduroCross Champion now takes a two-week break before resuming with round six at the XFINITY Arena in Everett, Washington, October 22. According to his team, multi-time former AMA EnduroCross Champion Taddy Blazusiak will make his return to the series there. Blazusiak did not compete at Denver due to a lingering thumb injury.
2016 AMA EnduroCross Championship
National Western Events Center
Denver, Colorado
Results: October 1, 2016 (Round 5 of 8)
Pro Main
1. Colton Haaker-Hus
2. Cody Webb-KTM
3. Max Gerston-Bet
4. Ty Tremaine-KTM
5. Kyle Redmond-Bet
6. Mike Brown-Hus
7. Noah Kepple-KTM
8. Nick Thompson-KTM
9. Trystan Hart-Hus
10. Geoff Aaron-Gas
11. Wyatt Hart-Hus
12. Cory Graffunder-KTM
13. Ty Cullins-Bet
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