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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128369
AMA FMF National Enduro Series teve Hatch demonstrated his mastery of the desert, dropping only 20 points on his Team Green Kawasaki to take the overall victory in the second round of the 200S National Enduro Series. Hatch improved on his third-place finish from last year and his fourth at the series opener the previous week. "It was tough, just like the Arizona enduros from back when I won it in 1994 for the first time," the FMFIThrottlehead.com/Moose Racing/Kenda Tires-backed rider said. "You know, they just beat you, which I like. It's technical, it's tough, it's rugged. Everybody's had their fill when the day's over." Not everyone was as satisfied as Hatch, though, as a few riders misinterpreted course markings and rode the wrong section early in the race, costing them precious points. To their dismay, this included doubling-up on the infamous Shelf Trail, some of the most challenging single track on the planet. The debate about the course markings took an interesting turn when one of the workers pointed out that the cows in the desert had taken a liking to the arrows closest to ground level. Only two points behind was second-place finisher and privateer Matt Stavish, who edged out Mike Lafferty on the tiebreakers. "It was an excellent event; I had a lot of fun," Stavish said. '~ytime I get second behind Hatch... I really respect him as a rider and as a person. He's a super, super good guy. Then to be able to edge Mike [Lafferty] out like that, too. I know S there were some issues, but to be able to beat him doesn't happen very often, so you really have to take advantage of it - take what you can get." Stavish's finish gives him the series lead after placing second in both events, two points ahead of Billy Russell and Hatch, who are tied for second. Stavish said his Honda CRF2S0R was nearly perfect, and he added his thanks to Larson's Cycles of Cambridge, Minnesota. Lafferty rounded out the top-three, though he didn't share all the feelings of the first two finishers. ''As far as the race and everything, it's a good place to ride," Lafferty said, though he ended the sentence with the dreaded "but." ''A lot of things went wrong," he added. "Every year, it seems like the same thing. It seems like an uphill battle that's never going to end. That's why [AMA referee] Roger [Ansel] is here. He'll come to this race because he knows they've had problems. But sure enough, problems again!" Lafferty's summary was terse: ''A National enduro without nip cards! It just blows me away." Being realistic about the turn of events and his podium position, Lafferty went on, saying, "The season doesn't end until October. I want the championship back. That's my number-one goal. It's a long series." Postrace chatter seemed to give Don Hood and the Arizona Trail Riders an overall thumbsup vote for this event, and he had some help. Mother Nature also did her part. Weeks of heavy rains across the southwest turned the dry and dusty desert into an oasis carpeted in green. Race day had optimal conditions: 70- (Below left) After two second-ploce finishes, Matt Stavish now sits atop the series points standings. (Below right) Mike LaHerty again had bad luck, but he still pulled oH third place.