as the tacos and is something
that keeps many riders, finishers
or not, coming back.
Among the racers lining up
this year was the MC's Grand
Marshal and AMA Hall of Fame
member Larry Roeseler, who is
most well-known for his 13 Baja
1000 championships, making
him the winningest Baja racer
since its inception in 1967. In
true champion fashion, Roeseler
went on to win his class before
making his way back to the
finish line in time to wave the
checkers for a wheelie-riding
Max Gerston aboard his Max
Off-Road Beta. With back-to-
So, what makes this seeming
-
ly basic enduro in a remote little
Mexican
village so desirable?
Across all classes, the answer is
the same: the Los Ancianos MC
puts together one of the best
enduro courses on the continent
and runs the event extremely
well, and the atmosphere is
undeniably unbeatable. Racers
who cross the finish line get a
wet towel, an iconic finisher pin,
and a can of Tecate beer. Then
they head off to join their friends
and family while enjoying
authentic Mexican tacos, with
post-race benchracing at an all-
time high. The vibe is as good
Come the first weekend of
December each year, riders from
all over the USA and Mexico
make their way south of the
border and across the country,
searching for that podium finish.
You would be hugely mistaken
if you assumed this race would
only be amateurs. This year's
large Pro class was stacked
with multi-time champion Baja
racers, Dakar Rally racers, hard
enduro athletes, hare and hound
champions, and even a few
AMA Hall of Fame inductees. All
in all, 306 racers would start the
enduro, with just over half (157)
completing all three tests.
DECEMBER 7, 2024
RANCHO SANTA VERONICA / TECATE, B.C., MEXICO
OFF-ROAD I LOS ANCIANOS TECATE ENDURO
P58
Gary Sutherlin came
out of retirement
and showed he
hasn't lost much
speed by finishing
second overall.
