Report: Tennessee Knockout Hard Enduro
By TMX Archives on 24th Aug 16
KTMs Cody Webb delivered a dominate performance at the Tennessee Knockout Hard Enduro to claim victory. Beginning to make the event his own, Webb secured his fourth consecutive win in the Tennessee Hard Enduro.
Behind Webb, Wade Young (Sherco) made the trip to America worthwhile by taking the runner-up result while Beta's Kyle Redmond joined them both on the podium for third.
"It's an awesome feeling to win the Tennessee Knockout for my fourth time,” Said Webb. "This race is hard enough to win once so to do it four times is pretty special.”
Growing into America's premier Hard Enduro race, the sixth edition of the TKO very tough for 2016.
Along with the boulder strewn riverbeds to deal with, the addition of some seriously changeable weather made for one action-packed day of racing.
Now a tried and tested format, the TKO sees riders qualify through to the afternoon's main event through a series of elimination races.
With only the strongest surviving to see the final race of the day.
A morning Hot Lap determines the starting order for the first 12-mile loop Knockout Race.
Winning both his Knockout heats with ease, Webb took the holeshot for the final race and was never headed.
Despite a brief attack from Young, he maintained his composure and rode near flawlessly to secure the overall win.
"It's been a hard day but one I've really enjoyed,” said Webb. "I knew I had the speed in the final so it was a matter of not making mistakes and losing my rhythm. It's been cool to come away with my fourth win here - this was one of the hardest yet.”
A rider many favoured to give Webb a run for his money, Young looked strong and comfortable during his debut ride in the TKO.
Easing his way into things with fifth in the Hot Lap, he then finished fourth in the first Knockout Race. Winning his group in the second Knockout Race placed him well for the final.
But two laps in and disaster struck the South African when a small crash resulted in a broken clutch perch.
With no option but to stop and pit for repairs his race looked almost done. Refusing to quit, he joined a couple of laps down and began his charge.
Setting some of the fastest laps in the latter half of the race, Young displayed the speed many expected of him to challenge Webb as he worked his way back up through the field to salvage a very impressive runner-up result.
"I'm disappointed to have made that mistake in the final,” said Young. "I really wanted to put on a race for the fans out there watching all day. But I didn't want to quit, I knew there was time to salvage a result and that's exactly what I did.
I've really enjoyed myself here. It's my first time in America so it's been a cool experience and I'd love to come back. This event is right up there with the best of them.”
Joining Webb and Young on the podium for third Redmond completed the top three. Enjoying a steady day, Redmond played the long game in the TKO and it paid off for him.
Knowing the elimination races would be physically demanding, he conserved as much energy as possible for when it mattered in the final race.
Delivering arguably the standout performance of the weekend, Ben Kelley (KTM) proved he's a rider to watch for in the near future by riding his way to fourth overall. Doing it the hard way, Kelley rode the amateur races on Saturday to qualify through to Sunday's TKO main event.
Finishing just over two minutes behind Kelley, Cory Graffunder (KTM) completed the top five with teammate Steward Baylor rounding out the top six. Completing four laps each of the final,
Beta's Max Gerston and KTM mounted Noah Kepple were the final two finishers.
Results
Final Knockout: 1 Cody Webb (KTM) 8 laps, 34:37.017, 2 Wade Young (Sherco) 7, 37:42.668, 3 Kyle Redond (Beta) 6, 36:51.271, 4 Ben Kelley (KTM) 5, 36:03.850, 5 Cory Graffunder (KTM) 5, 38:23.501, 6 Steward Baylor (KTM) 4, 35:36.612, 7 Max Gerston (Beta) 4, 37:36.244, 8 Noah Kepple (KTM) 4, 37:40.806.
