indoor enduro - High Roller!
By TMX Archives on 9th Dec 05
Words and photos by Jonty EdmundsHe's already pretty much won everything in the world of enduros in '05 and David Knight puts on a dominant display of indoor enduro racing at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to become the AMA Endurocross Words and photos by Jonty EdmundsHe's already pretty much won everything in the world of enduros in '05 and David Knight puts on a dominant display of indoor enduro racing at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas to become the AMA Endurocross national champion."I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my season," admits Manx ace David Knight following a solid race win in front of a sell-out crowd in Las Vegas. "There were so many great riders competing this year that I knew winning wouldn't be easy. But I knew I could win. I just got my head down and pushed hard. Winning an AMA title to go with my FIM title is awesome."Brought to the ground in the first turn of his heat race, Knighter fails to pass straight to the Main Event and finds himself back on track for his semi final race which he wins easily."My heat was a disaster," admits DK. "I got taken out in the first turn and hurt my clutch arm. I couldn't hold on in the race and really struggled. I tried my best to qualify but I just couldn't catch the leaders. Thankfully, my semi final race went well - I got a good start and won it quite easily."In the Main Event Knighter comes up against some of the States' and Europe's best enduro and off-road riders - and makes most of them look like they're out for a Sunday afternoon trail ride.Starting cautiously he rounds the first turn almost last then almost gets brought down as he tries to go around the outside of turn two. But Knighter soon starts passing riders and moving himself up the leaderboard, gathering momentum lap on lap. As those around him try too hard to pass each other, the technical and unforgiving track catches more than a few riders out - including '04 event winner Ryan Hughes.Needing just over two laps to hit the front, David knows the win is his for the taking having passed close to all the field and having seen Ryno stuck in one of the rock sections. Able to keep an eye on those behind him as the race reaches the halfway point, Knighter eases off slightly during the second half of the race and claims the win."I'm so pleased to have won," admits DK. "I wanted to prove that I could win after finishing second in '04 and it feels great to have done that. I saw a few riders make mistakes and I just kept pushing hard until I got to the front. Then I just made sure I didn't make any mistakes and, well, everything went perfectly."resultsEndurocross1David Knight(KTM)2John Dowd(Suzuki)3Ricky Dietrich(Kawasaki)4Ty Davis(Yamaha)5Ivan Cervantes(KTM)6Ryan Dudac(Kawasaki)7Kurt Caselli(KTM)8Mike Lafferty(KTM)9Ryan Hughes(Suzuki)10Xavier Galindo(KTM)