rivals still fighting the same
hills. He worked back through
the order and completed the
lap in 3:27:25, winning the Pro
division.
"This was definitely the
toughest River Monster I've ever
done," Wentzel said. "Today
wasn't about going fast at all. It
was about your technical ability
and who had the best technical
skills."
Wentzel credited his trials
background for the balance,
clutch control, throttle precision
and body positioning required
to survive. With traction almost
nonexistent, every movement
mattered. His motorcycle
repeatedly overheated and
Powerline Hill, Wentzel discov
-
ered that his rear brake had dis-
appeared. With steep descents
waiting ahead, continuing was
not an option. He returned to
the pits, attempted to bleed the
system and eventually found a
complete pre-bled brake assem
-
bly in his parts tote.
The replacement pin did not
fit, forcing Wentzel to drill the
mounting hole and improvise a
cotter-pin solution before return-
ing to the course.
The delay should have ended
his bid for the Pro win. Instead,
the bottlenecks kept the leaders
within reach. Wentzel refueled,
topped off his coolant, returned
to the route and found several
"I'm right back at home in the
rain and mud," Barger said. "Ev
-
ery day we ride, even if it's not
raining, the valleys always have
water in them."
Barger rode alone for most
of the event, picking his way
through a climb he initially
doubted he could complete. He
kept moving, cleared the decisive
sections and reached the finish
in 2:54:47 to win the A divi
-
sion. Ayden Marinchek finished
second in A, with Leiber Ponce
completing the class podium.
Wentzel's path to a third River
Monster win became a mechan
-
ical rescue mission.
After spending roughly 30
minutes fighting his way up
ROUND 3 / JULY 18-19, 2026
KAIROS WILDERNESS RESORT / GLEN LYN, VIRGINIA
OFF-ROAD I AMA EAST HARD ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
P88
Makana Barger mastered the rain and mud to win the A division.
