Release from 12.11.2023
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA TEAMMATE RYDER LEBLOND TAKES TOP-FIVE FINISH IN EX PRO CLASS
Haaker started his weekend by posting the second-fastest time in the Pro Hot Lap session, dialing in his FX 350 to the circuit's tight, technical nature from the outset. A strong launch in the opening race saw him race to a convincing victory, setting the stage for a solid night of racing ahead.
A holeshot in Moto 2 saw the number 10 sprint to an early lead, maintaining control of the race at the front for the majority of the moto, before finishing P3 after a mishap with a lapped rider on the final lap, netting him a strong overall position to enter the third and final encounter.
After securing the holeshot in Moto 3, Haaker again sprinted early, opening a three-second gap over second place, which earned him the race win and the overall round win in convincing fashion.
With his Redmond result, five-time AMA EnduroCross Champion Haaker now sits in third place in the series point-standings, and within striking distance of the championship as the season heads to Reno for the final round.
“Stoked to get the win here in Redmond!” recalled Haaker. “I should have won all three, but just a mistake with the lapper in Moto 2 meant that I missed out right at the end with that one, which was disappointing, although to get a win feels amazing. We’ve had a decent year, just little things... it's been a full year since I’ve been mentally in the zone to compete for wins. Last year really set me back, I had to face whether or not I could still do it at the highest level, so to win here means a lot, and I feel like I really am back in it.”
Teammate Ryder LeBlond pieced together a consistent outing in Oregon, beginning with the fifth-fastest lap-time in the Pro Hot Lap session. A mid-field start saw LeBlond power his way into fourth place during the opening moto and claim P4, which he would back up in Moto 2 with another top-five score in fifth place.
A sixth-place finish in Moto 3 gave LeBlond fifth place overall for the round, as he maintains fifth place in the season standings with one round remaining.
“Out here in Redmond for Round 5,” commented LeBlond. “We ended up P5, which was a mediocre night for me – I didn’t feel good in practice, however, by race time I was able to turn it around. My speed was good in the end, just average starts, which has been the story of my season in a way. We’ll work on them and return strong for the final round in Reno.”
Round 6 of the 2023 AMA EnduroCross Championship heads to Reno, Nevada, on November 18, which marks the final, title-deciding round of the season next weekend.
EX Pro Results – Round 5
1. Colton Haaker – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 1-3-1
2. Trystan Hart, KTM, 2,1,3
3. Jonny Walker, Beta, 3-2-2
…
5. Ryder LeBlond – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 4-5-6
EX Pro Championship Standings
1. Jonny Walker, 124 points
2. Trystan Hart, 117
3. Colton Haaker – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 112
…
5. Ryder LeBlond - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 83