Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/720681
IN THE WIND P44 DUVALL DELIVERS AT GRASSMAN NATIONAL ENDURO T had DuVall hasn't ridden a National Enduro since the Rattlesnake Enduro in 2012, but the KR4 Husqvarna rider proved that it's no different than riding a bicycle in that it's something you just don't forget how to do. The West Virginia rider used the first test of the day to get up the speed and then reeled off three wins in the next five tests to claim an impressive come-from- behind victory at the Grassman National Enduro in Zanesville, Ohio, August 28, round seven of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series. DuVall went into the fifth test of the day trailing current points leader and four-time National Enduro Champ Russell Bobbitt by three seconds, but after win- ning the final two tests, which were the two longest tests of the day, DuVall finished the event with a 40-second margin over Bobbitt to claim his first-ever National Enduro win. "I just came here because it's close to my house and I thought it would be good practice for Six Days," said DuVall. "I really didn't think I would do that well; I told myself I had no expecta- tions, but I just gave it all I had. It was crazy, a lot of the tests were a lot tighter than I'm used to but I would come out of the test and I'd be first or second. I think I gained some time in some of the faster sections and also in the two long sections. I've been working really hard on my conditioning and maybe I just wore those guys down because I was behind before the final two tests and that's where I gained all my ground." Second went to Bob- bitt, who was disap- pointed at not getting the win, but still added to his point lead in the championship chase since both of the Baylor broth- ers suffered problems: Grant injured his foot and Steward missed a turn in the final test and was penalized accordingly. "Today started off good, I won the first test and I felt like I was riding well," said Bobbitt, "but I just didn't have anything for Thad in those final tests. I stalled it in the fifth test and I tipped over in the sixth, but I don't think that was the difference. Thad was riding really well. I'm here to win, so I'm disappointed that I didn't, but we still came away with a positive outcome by ex- tending the points lead." Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Josh Strang rounded out the podium in third with a strong and consistent ride, which included a win in the fourth test. "I didn't expect the race to be so hilly and to have so many off-cambers," said Strang. "You had to be really smooth with the throttle. At the third test, I don't know what happened but I almost missed the start and that sort of threw me off. I just didn't ride how I should have ridden." Fourth was Specialized Per- formance KTM's Jesse Gro- emm, who started the day with a second in test one. "I started off well but I missed a line in the fourth test and lost some time and then the heat was getting to me in the fifth test and I lost some more time," said Groemm. "I felt I was solid but I just have to work harder in the next one." SRT KTM's Cory Buttrick had a good day going until the final test when he launched his bike off a ledge and was lucky Thad DuVall nabbed his first National Enduro win in Zanesville, Ohio.