IN
THE
WIND
P32
Young Takes Bad Medicine
E
xtreme riders headed to Wild-
wood Lake Raceway in Little
Hocking, Ohio for round three of
the AMA American Hard Enduro
Series, Bad Medicine at Fallen
Timbers. The third round of the
five-round championship served
up a challenge to riders not
only through the terrain, but the
weather, as well. Even the rocks
were sweating in the Midwest
summer heat and humidity, and
the slick conditions rewarded the
steadiest throttle hand. That hand
turned out to be that of Sherco
rider Wade Young. The South
African paid a visit to the States
for the 2020 Sherco motorcycle
launch prior to taking a dose of
the Bad Medicine.
Young topped the field ahead
of KTM rider Liam Draper and
Husqvarna rider Quinn Wentzel.
KTM's Ben Kelley was also a
threat to the overall podium, mix-
ing it up with Draper and Wentzel
in a challenge for second, but in
the end, Kelley was edged off
the podium and had to settle for
fourth. Nick Fahringer finished
fifth aboard his Sherco, followed
by Josh Rooken-Smith.
Young has contested all three
rounds of the 2019 AMA Ameri-
can Hard Enduro Series thus far,
and after finishing runner-up in
the opening round, the RevLim-
iter Extreme, after his chain got
stuck in his sprocket, Young has
emerged dominant. The South
African topped Tough Like Rorr
(round two) two weeks ago and,
once again, flexed his might at
the round three.
As for second-place finisher
Liam Draper, it was his first-ever
American Hard Enduro. The
New Zealander who is currently
contesting the XC2 Pro class in
the GNCC series was satisfied
with his effort in the end. "Ended
up second behind Wade Young,"
said Draper. "Pretty happy with
how I rode and I enjoyed it! It was
tough and the rain mid-race sure
did make it interesting."
Trials and EnduroCross spe-
cialist Quinn Wentzel was in his
element, but ultimately had to set-
tle for third behind Draper, which
he was happy to do. "Stoked to
come away with a third on this
brutally hot/humid weekend with
some bad dudes present!" said
Draper. "Bad Medicine Hard
Enduro didn't disappoint, with a
very technical and slick track I
was right at home. The trials skills
definitely paid off this weekend
and I'm ready for more!"
More is coming up fast, with
round four of the American Hard
Enduro Series taking place in two
weeks' time. The Battle of the
Goats Extreme Enduro will take
riders to North Carolina's Brushy
Mountain for another test of skill
and endurance… where the heat
and humidity are likely to be as
extreme as the terrain. CN
1. Wade Young (Shr)
2. Liam Draper (KTM)
3. Quinn Wentzel (Hus)
4. Ben Kelley (KTM)
5. Nick Fahringer (Shr)
6. Josh Rooken-Smith (KTM)
Sherco's Wade Young
captured the win at
the Bad Medicine
Hard Enduro in Ohio.
