| Defending Champion Battles Through Injury to Claim Round 4 Victory; Walker Shows Blistering Speed But Starts Cost Him Overall; Webb Returns to Podium Redmond, Oregon – November 8, 2025 – Trystan Hart proved why he’s a champion, overcoming a significant arm injury suffered in practice to claim his third consecutive victory at Round 4 of the 2025 Slavens AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance. The Red Bull FMF/KTM Factory Racing rider’s 1-1-2 performance at the First Interstate Bank Center extended his championship lead to six points over Triumph Factory Racing’s Jonny Walker, who demonstrated he has the speed to win but continues to struggle with starts that have cost him valuable championship points. Hart’s gutsy performance came after serious doubt about whether he could even compete. “I really didn’t think the top two was in jeopardy tonight,” Hart admitted post-race. “My arm was really, really not well after practice. Was not working, but I knew the adrenaline was gonna take over, and I was either gonna work, or it wasn’t, and I kind of accepted that.” The championship math favored Hart’s conservative approach in Moto 3, where Walker’s aggressive pass – making contact as he forced his way by – gave the Triumph rider his first moto win of the night. But Hart’s 1-1-2 scorecard trumped Walker’s 2-2-1, securing the overall and the valuable championship points. Factory Yamaha’s Cody Webb continued his confidence rebuild with a third-place podium finish (6-3-3), demonstrating the speed and aggression that made him a four-time champion while managing the championship pressure with veteran poise. Hot Lap Qualifying: Walker’s Speed Advantage The night’s drama began with hot lap qualifying, where the top 10 riders in championship points run individual timed laps to determine gate selection order for Moto 1. Walker demonstrated his raw speed advantage by posting the fastest time of 44.466 seconds, earning him first gate pick for the opening moto. Colton Haaker qualified second with a 45.297, while the injured Hart managed third at 45.676 despite his compromised arm. Cooper Abbott (46.521) and Cody Webb (46.581) rounded out the top five qualifying positions. The hot lap results would add bitter irony to Walker’s evening – despite having the fastest qualifying time and first choice of gate position, the Triumph rider would struggle with starts throughout the night, ultimately costing him the overall victory.  EX PRO: Hart’s Championship Management Under Adversity Moto 1: Hart Defends Against Charging Walker Despite Walker’s blistering qualifying lap that earned him first gate pick, it was Ryder LeBlond who grabbed the holeshot to start Moto 1. Hart’s championship instincts kicked in immediately as he seized the lead before the green flag flew, overcoming his third-place qualifying position and injured arm to assume control of the race. Cooper Abbott slotted into third with Walker fourth as the pack thundered into the First Interstate Bank Center’s technical obstacles. Hart looked strong and hungry to extend his series lead, but Abbott had other ideas, initially fending off Walker’s advances. The battle for second intensified after a few laps as Walker found his rhythm, making a decisive inside pass on Abbott through the rock garden to claim second place and set his sights on the injured Hart. Walker’s charge was relentless. After passing Abbott, the Triumph rider set the fastest lap of Moto 1 – a full second quicker than Hart – as he aimed to close the gap on the championship leader. Halfway through the race, Walker found himself on Hart’s rear wheel, having successfully closed what had been a comfortable lead. Despite the intense pressure and his compromised physical condition, Hart’s championship experience showed through. Managing lap traffic expertly with one lap remaining, he maintained just enough distance to hold off Walker’s charge and claim the Moto 1 victory. Moto 2: Hart Capitalizes on Clean Air The inverted start for Moto 2 put Ty Cullins on the holeshot, but Nick Thompson quickly moved past to assume the lead as the field completed the opening lap. Hart, starting deeper in the pack, wasted no time cutting through the field and pulled into second position behind Thompson, with championship rivals Walker and Webb in pursuit.  When Thompson made mistakes under pressure, Hart pounced, taking over the lead and establishing clean air ahead of the pack. With clear track ahead, Hart put on a clinic, riding mistake-free and maintaining championship-winning consistency despite his injury concerns. The white flag came out with Hart holding approximately a one-second gap over Walker. Hart crossed the finish line to claim the checkered flag for Moto 2, with Walker second and Webb running a strong third. Moto 3: Walker’s Aggressive Statement Walker finally got the start he needed in Moto 3, grabbing the holeshot and looking to make it count. After qualifying fastest yet struggling in the first two motos, the Triumph rider demonstrated what happens when he combines his raw speed with proper race execution. But disaster struck immediately as Walker made a critical error in the rock pit, the mistake sending him back to mid-pack and handing Hart the advantage he needed. Webb capitalized on Walker’s misfortune, sticking with Hart in second position. But Walker’s championship aspirations weren’t finished. The Triumph rider regained his composure with remarkable speed, quickly moving back into striking distance and making a decisive pass on Webb to reclaim second place and set sail after Hart.  As the race reached its second half, Walker closed the gap dramatically, working through lap traffic with precision and intensity. The championship battle came to a head when Walker put his front wheel into the side of Hart’s bike, showing contact as he forced his way past to take the lead. The white flag flew with Walker trying to extend his lead, but Hart’s championship instincts took over. “Johnny, he had a bit more in the last one,” Hart acknowledged. “Would have been nice to get all three wins, but not risk anything else. So I just played it safe.” Hart knew the mathematics: a second-place finish secured the overall victory and extended his championship lead. Walker claimed the Moto 3 win, but Hart’s 1-1-2 performance trumped Walker’s 2-2-1, giving the KTM rider his third consecutive overall victory. Championship Battle Intensifies Hart now leads the championship by six points (97-91) following his Round 4 victory. His remarkable consistency continues, with the defending champion having finished inside the top two in 14 consecutive races. Despite racing injured in Redmond, Hart’s ability to manage both his physical limitations and championship pressure demonstrated the championship DNA that has made him a two-time defending champion. Walker’s post-race frustration was evident, made all the more understandable given his dominant hot lap qualifying performance. Despite posting the fastest lap time – 44.466, over eight-tenths quicker than Hart – and earning first choice of gate position, Walker couldn’t convert that speed advantage into holeshots. “Terrible starts. That’s all I can say tonight,” Walker stated bluntly. “I was riding good, and yeah, definitely had the speed, but my starts just really let me down.” The Triumph rider has now finished second in three of the four rounds, showing he has the pace to win but struggling with the race execution that makes championship-winning performances possible in the three-moto format. Webb’s Confidence Rebuild Continues Cody Webb’s third-place finish marked another important step in his season-long confidence rebuild. The four-time champion’s 6-3-3 performance showed steady improvement throughout the night, with Webb finding the aggression that made him one of EnduroCross’s most successful riders.  “Yeah, it was definitely a step in the right direction,” Webb explained. “I’m still a little bit off the pace. I mean, Tristan and Johnny are riding phenomenal this year, and, you know, they did their homework leading into the season, and I’m just playing catch up and playing catch up from last season as well.” Webb was candid about his struggles. “I feel like people are thinking it’s the bike, and I’m just, I’m like, it’s me, guys. Like, I need to get my confidence up and get that charging going, and that first moto, I didn’t have it in me, and I rode really good. I was happy with it, but I just wasn’t aggressive in the beginning, and I can’t get around those guys, you know?” The breakthrough came in Moto 2. “I put myself in good position and charged hard, and, you know, Haaker wasn’t able to get me back in, and I actually pulled on him in that second moto quite a bit,” Webb noted with satisfaction. “Those guys are riding really good, and, you know, a podium is, it doesn’t feel like a win, but it feels great to get back up here and prove myself. And I was worried people were starting to doubt me, and, like, I wasn’t doubting myself. I knew it was gonna come back.” Webb concluded with gratitude for the Redmond crowd: “You guys were awesome, cheering everyone on. This was a great venue this year. I was stoked you guys all came out, so we appreciate it, and we’ll be back next year.” Colton Haaker continued his steady comeback with a consistent 4-4-4 performance, showing the five-time champion is methodically working his way back to championship form. The privateer’s rock-solid consistency has him sitting third in the championship standings with 73 points.  EX EXPERT: Dahners Dominates Expert Main Jaden Dahners from Enumclaw, Washington, claimed the EX Expert Main victory with a commanding performance on his KTM. The rising star demonstrated the technical skills and race craft necessary to control the Expert division from start to finish, positioning himself as a rider to watch as he continues his progression toward Pro-level competition. Branden Petrie from Tomahawk, Alberta, secured second place with a consistent ride on his Beta, while Marc Fernandez from Barcelona, Spain, completed the podium in third aboard his Rieju. The international flavor of the Expert podium highlighted EnduroCross’s growing global appeal, with riders from Canada and Europe competing alongside American talent. The Expert class continues to serve as the proving ground for riders aspiring to reach the Pro ranks, with the depth of talent on display in Redmond demonstrating the strong pipeline of future stars in the sport. EX NOVICE: Surry Continues Dominant Season Ethan Surry from Parksville, BC, maintained his stranglehold on the EX Novice division with another commanding victory. The KTM rider’s consistency throughout the season has established him as the class to beat in the entry-level division, with Surry demonstrating the smooth technical riding and race management that will serve him well as he progresses through EnduroCross’s developmental ranks. Johnny Hagan from Corning, California, delivered an impressive second-place finish on his Sherco, showing strong speed that earned him victory in Division 2 before claiming runner-up honors in the Main. Conlan Archer from Sisters, Oregon, completed the podium in third place, also aboard a Sherco, continuing the French manufacturer’s strong presence in the support classes. The Novice class provided entertaining racing throughout the night, with riders demonstrating the fundamentals that will serve them as they progress through the sport. Local favorite Tegan Warnick from nearby Shelley, Idaho, finished fourth, giving the Pacific Northwest fans a strong performance to cheer for. EX INTERMEDIATE: Eppelmann’s Masterclass Performance Max Eppelmann from Stadecken-Elsheim, Germany, put on a masterclass in the EX Intermediate division, controlling the race from start to finish aboard his Beta. The young German’s technical proficiency and smooth riding style proved unbeatable in the challenging Redmond obstacles, showcasing the international talent that has made EnduroCross increasingly competitive. Cooper Stevens from Lake Stevens, Washington, secured second place on his GasGas after winning Division 2, continuing his strong season across multiple classes. Stevens’ consistency and versatility have made him one of the standout performers in the developmental divisions. Cole Clarkson from Paradise, California, rounded out the podium in third place, showing consistent speed throughout the night. The Intermediate class showcased the depth of talent in the series, with Shandon Millett finishing fourth and local favorite Trey Robles from Spirit Lake, Idaho, claiming fifth place to give the regional fans something to celebrate. The tight racing throughout the division demonstrated the competitive nature of EnduroCross’s developmental categories. EX VETERAN: McCarthy Breaks Prochnau’s Winning Streak In a significant upset, Gavin McCarthy from El Cajon, California, claimed the EX Veteran Main victory, ending Bobby Prochnau’s winning streak that had carried through the Idaho Falls double header. McCarthy’s KTM proved unstoppable in the final, demonstrating that the Veteran division remains wide open for competition and that consistent speed throughout the season will be necessary to claim the class championship. Prochnau from Salmon Arm, BC, had to settle for second place after winning Division 1, still showing the speed that has made him the class favorite but unable to hold off McCarthy’s charge in the Main event. TJ Scrupps from Stanwood, Washington, completed the podium with a solid third-place finish, rounding out a competitive Veteran Main that featured some of the most experienced riders in EnduroCross. The Veteran class continues to provide some of the most experienced and technical riding in the series, with former Pro competitors demonstrating that age and experience can overcome youthful exuberance. The competitive nature of the division ensures exciting racing throughout the season. EX JUNIOR: Eppelmann Doubles Down Max Eppelmann completed a remarkable double victory, claiming both the EX Intermediate and EX Junior championships on the night. The young German’s dominance across age groups demonstrated his exceptional talent and technical prowess, positioning him as one of the sport’s brightest rising stars. Eppelmann’s ability to compete and win in multiple classes showcased the depth of his skill set and stamina. Cole Clarkson from Paradise, California, finished second in the Junior class after also claiming third in Intermediate, showing remarkable versatility and endurance across multiple races. Kael Widdicombe from Billings, Montana, rounded out the podium in third aboard his Fantic, bouncing back from a DNS in his division race to claim a solid Main event finish. The Junior class showcased the future of EnduroCross, with young riders like Ethan Surry (fifth), Cayden Hatcher (seventh), and Landon Johnson (eighth) all demonstrating the skills that will serve them as they progress through the ranks. The depth of talent in the Junior division bodes well for the long-term health of the sport. EX CLUB: Stevens Continues Winning Ways Cooper Stevens capped off his successful night by claiming victory in the EX Club class, adding to his second-place finish in Intermediate. The Lake Stevens, Washington, rider’s dominance in the Club division has been a consistent storyline throughout the season, with Stevens proving nearly unbeatable in the developmental category while also running competitively in Intermediate. Mathew Baumann from Coquitlam, BC, finished second aboard his GasGas, showing the consistency that has made him a podium regular in Club racing. Shandon Millett from Ephraim, Utah, completed the podium in third place, bouncing back from his Intermediate race to claim solid points in Club. The Club class provides an excellent entry point for developing riders, with many competitors using the category to build confidence and skills before moving up through EnduroCross’s competitive ranks. The close racing throughout the division demonstrated the depth of talent entering the sport, ensuring a bright future for the series. Looking Ahead With two rounds remaining in the 2025 Slavens AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance, the championship battle between Hart and Walker has reached a critical juncture. Hart’s six-point advantage (97-91) provides a cushion but hardly represents an insurmountable lead, especially given Walker’s demonstrated speed advantage. Beyond the title fight, a fierce battle for the final podium positions is unfolding. Haaker holds third with 73 points, while LeBlond (71), Webb (69), and Abbott (68) are separated by just three points in the fight for fourth through sixth. This tight racing in the middle of the championship standings ensures competitive racing throughout the field as the series heads toward its conclusion. Hart’s ability to manage both injury and championship pressure in Redmond showcased the mental toughness that separates champions from contenders. His decision to ride conservatively in Moto 3, accepting second place to secure the overall victory, demonstrated championship maturity beyond his years. Walker’s “terrible starts” admission highlighted the Achilles’ heel that has prevented him from capitalizing on his raw speed. The Triumph rider clearly has the pace to win, but starts in the three-moto format matter, and Walker must solve this issue if he hopes to chase down Hart in the championship standings. Webb’s continued improvement suggests the four-time champion is finding his form at precisely the right time. With his confidence building and his speed returning, Webb could play spoiler in the championship battle while potentially adding to his own podium tally in the final two rounds. The First Interstate Bank Center in Redmond proved to be an excellent venue for Round 4, with technical obstacles that tested every rider’s skill set and provided exciting racing across all divisions. As the series heads toward its conclusion, the stage is set for an epic championship showdown. |
HART EXTENDS WINNING STREAK TO THREE IN REDMOND THRILLER
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