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/807150
SIPES SEALS SECOND FULL GAS SPRINT ENDURO WIN R yan Sipes claimed his sec- ond victory of the season at round three of the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, presented by PRI Powersports Insurance, putting his Coastal Racing Husqvarna on top of the box ahead of SRT KTM Racing's Cory Buttrick and Beta USA's Jordan Ashburn at the Bristol, Virginia event, April 1-2. A slippery track greeted the riders on Saturday morning as heavy rains and strong winds the day before left the Bristol area drenched. However, the conditions quickly improved as the sun began to dry the track. The racing was fast and close all weekend on what many consid- ered the best dirt the series has seen all year. Unlike the previous two rounds, located at motocross facilities, the Virginia race was held at a more traditional venue, with a true "grass track" cross test and an enduro test com- plete with tight single-track, a few fire roads, a technical blast through a shallow creek and even a rocky section. In all, Sipes claimed eight of the 12 test wins over the week- end—five on Saturday (three cross tests and two enduro tests) and all three enduro tests on Sunday. SRT Racing's Stew- ard Baylor, Jordan Ashburn and AmPro Yamaha's Josh Toth split the remaining four test wins, which played right into Sipes' hands, allowing the Kentucky rider to extend his lead in the final results. "I was really on my game on Saturday," said Sipes. "I was riding well in both the cross test and in the enduro test, so I was able to build a bit of a cushion. The enduro test was getting pretty chewed up on Sunday and it was one of those tests that I felt like if I over-rode it I was taking a pretty good risk, so I just did what I needed to do to get the win. It wasn't conscious, but I think subconsciously I held back a little in the enduro test just to be sure I didn't make a big mistake and lose a lot of time—I was thinking big picture." With the win, Sipes extended his lead in the series standings to 10 points over SRT Racing's Steward Baylor, who finished fourth for the event after what he called an "off weekend." Buttrick turned in his best race of the season with a runner-up finish. The Ohio rider failed to win a test outright, but was consistent all weekend, log- IN THE WIND P34 Ryan Sipes ran off with the overall win at the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro in Bristol, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARRIN CHAPMAN