
Kailub Russell Victorious At Wyoming National Enduro
Kailub Russell claimed his second victory in as many races at the Inyan
Kara National Enduro – round six of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
in Upton, Wyoming, topping FMF/KTM teammate Russell Bobbitt by
one-minute-and-forty-nine seconds in a tough and demanding race.
A hard, overnight rain left the Upton area saturated and the course was
extremely slippery when over 430 riders took to the trails for test one
where Russell kicked things off with a big win, posting a time that was a
minute and 35 seconds faster than Colorado’s Ian Blythe (KTM). Bobbitt was
fastest in test two; however, edging Russell by 27 seconds. Russell came
back with a strong ride in the third test, posting another win. Bobbitt won
the final test, but it was Russell’s consistency that earned him the
overall win, as the North Carolina rider finished the day with three
second-place times to go with his two wins, while Bobbitt had two test wins,
a third and two fourths.
“Two in a row feels pretty good after three straight runner-up
finishes,” said Russell. “I just need to keep building on this momentum
because I know the rounds coming up are pretty tight, and that’s kind of
my weakness.”
Bobbitt finished the day in second, edging Blythe by 22 seconds. Bobbitt
crashed in the final test and popped his shoulder out of socket; however, he
was able to pop it back in and finish the race.
Beta USA’s Cory Buttrick claimed his best finish of the year riding the
new 430 RS, beating Grant Baylor by just five seconds after holding off a
late charge by the Am Pro Yamaha rider.
Defending series champ Andrew DeLong, who was riding with an injured
wrist, did what he could to salvage points, and finished the day in sixth
after turning in a cautious but steady ride in the mud on his Rockstar
Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC 350.
Meanwhile, 2012 series champ Steward Baylor recovered from a disastrous
opening test to finish seventh ahead of Beta USA’s Jesse Groemm.
Craig DeLong, Andrew’s younger brother, finished a steady ninth, while
Am Pro Yamaha’s Brad Bakken rounded out the top 10 on his Motosport.com/Am
Pro Yamaha.
Finishing 11th overall, and first in the Rekluse AA-Expert division, was
Drew Higgins, who won the class over fellow KTM riders Evan Smith and Kyle
McDonal.
The
Kenda AMA National Enduro Series returns to action on July 26th for round
seven of the 10-round series at the Rattlesnake National Enduro in Cross
Fork, Pennsylvania. For more information on the Kenda AMA National Enduro
Series check out www.nationalenduro.com.
Results
1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
3. Ian Blythe (KTM)
4. Cory Buttrick (Bet)
5. Grant Baylor (Yam)
6. Andrew DeLong (Hus)
7. Steward Baylor (KTM)
8. Jesse Groemm (Bet)
9. Craig DeLong (Hus)
10. Brad Bakken (Yam)
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