16.08.2020
AMA Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro - August 16, 20202
SEQUATCHIE, Tenn. – FMF/Maxxis/RPM KTM Racing Team’s Trystan Hart continues to build great momentum this season as he emerged victorious from the 10th Annual AMA Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro (TKO) with a dominant performance in Sequatchie, Tennessee.
Hart, racing aboard a factory-prepped KTM 300 XC-W TPI, proved to be the rider to beat from start to finish as he bested the field in every aspect of the multi-round “knockout” format. With hot and humid temperatures following a bit of rainfall into the weekend, the Trials Training Center showcased ideal course conditions for the premier class by Sunday morning. Hart kicked off the day on a positive note as he topped the short course hot lap to place himself on pole position heading into the three-round racing format.
In Knockout Race 1, riders took off every 30 seconds in a race against the clock as they battled a 15-mile long course complete with multiple skill sections and challenges. Hart got out to a comfortable lead, where he finished just under three-minutes ahead of multi-time TKO Champion Cody Webb. In Knockout Race 2, riders were sorted into groups of five where they went head-to-head for a top-three transfer into the Final Knockout. Hart once again positioned himself favorably early on, making easy work of the 18-mile long course as he cruised his way through the checkers with the fastest time of all the groups.
In the Final Knockout, riders returned to the short course from earlier in the day as they battled in a 30-minute plus one-lap race to crown a new king of the TKO. Hart got off to a great start as he captured the holeshot and early lead. With unparalleled lap times for a majority of the race, Hart stretched his lead to almost one-minute over Webb heading into the final lap of racing. With victory within reach, the young Canadian slowed his pace on the final pass to capture the Final Knockout win by 35 seconds.
Trystan Hart: “I was just telling myself to be consistent because I knew that Cody [Webb] wasn’t going to mess anything up, so I was just hoping I could get up the hill every lap. I had a little mistake with two laps to go and I’m so glad I didn’t crash. It’s really exciting to take the win and I can’t thank everyone enough for helping me get up here.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager, Antti Kallonen: “This is a big win obviously for Trystan and also for the KTM brand. It’s an AMA Grand Championship Event so I am very pleased to keep the National title in KTM’s possession. We have had three years with three different winners so I think it speaks volumes of our brand and our riders that put forth the effort. I am very happy for the whole team and support crew that worked hard to support Trystan to the win.”
In the Women’s Final, KTM-Support rider Shelby Turner raced her way to a second-place finish in the highly-competitive division.
Final Knockout Results
1. Trystan Hart, KTM, 40:35.947
2. Cody Webb, Sherco, +35.419
3. Benjamin Herrera Ried, Beta, +5:00.443
OTHER KTM
7. Ryder LeBlond
8. Will Riordan
14. Cooper Abbott
Women’s Final Results
1. Rachel Gutish, Beta, 19:41.161
2. Shelby Turner, KTM, +48.792
3. Louise Forsley, Sherco, 2:33.724