Triumph Star Claims First Round Victory with Flawless 1-1-1 Performance; Hart’s Struggles Close Championship Gap to Three Points; LeBlond Returns to Podium with Aggressive Riding
**Reno, Nevada – November 15, 2025** – Jonny Walker finally put it all together. After three rounds of showing championship-winning speed but struggling with starts that cost him valuable points, the Triumph Factory Racing rider delivered the complete package at Round 5 of the 2025 Slavens AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance. Walker’s dominant 1-1-1 sweep – the first by any rider this season – at the Reno Events Center shrunk defending champion Trystan Hart’s points lead to just three with one round remaining, setting up a winner-take-all showdown for the championship.
Walker’s breakthrough performance came at the perfect time, addressing the start issues that plagued him in Redmond while maintaining the blistering pace that has made him a constant threat all season. “Yeah, honestly, I felt good tonight,” Walker explained post-race, a broad smile accompanying his words. “I felt good last week, but I just think my mindset wasn’t good, and tonight, I had a smile on my face pretty much every lap riding around there. I loved the track. It had so much flow. So, yeah, to win every race, I’m super stoked and I’m gonna carry that into the final round.”
For Hart, the night represented his most challenging performance of the season. The Red Bull FMF/KTM Factory Racing rider’s 2-2-3 scorecard marked his first time finishing outside the top two since the series began, ending a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive top-two finishes. “That’s apart for me. Tristan’s got a lot more than that, but I think that’s 15 top twos in a row, so that’s still pretty cool,” Hart reflected, finding the silver lining despite his struggles.
Hart was candid about his performance. “I mean, it’s not that fun when you just win every race, honestly, so let’s… let’s be honest there. So just, Johnny rode really good tonight, really, didn’t have anything for him. He was really on it, and I was really just flat, just really flat, like a desert out there. I had nothing to give, and even if he made a mistake, and I kind of closed in, I still just could not get that extra, anything going, so, kind of a bummer, but, oh, well, still, still all good, and me and Johnny next weekend, sparks flying everywhere, should be fun for everyone.”
Ryder LeBlond’s return to the podium with a third-place finish (6-3-2) provided the night’s feel-good story. After a disappointing seventh-place result in Redmond that left the Husqvarna rider “pretty mad,” LeBlond bounced back with aggressive riding and renewed determination, demonstrating the consistency that has been his goal throughout the season.
**Hot Lap Qualifying: Walker’s Speed Statement**
Walker set the tone for his dominant night by posting the fastest hot lap qualifying time of 59.118 seconds, the only rider to break the one-minute barrier. The Triumph rider’s blistering pace gave him first gate pick for Moto 1 and signaled his intent to finally convert his raw speed into overall victory.
Hart qualified second with a time of 1:00.509, 1.391 seconds behind Walker’s benchmark, while Colton Haaker claimed third at 1:00.950. Cody Webb qualified fourth (1:02.635) and Nick Thompson rounded out the top five (1:03.294).
The qualifying results foreshadowed the night’s racing, with Walker’s speed advantage clear from the opening session. Unlike Redmond, where Walker qualified fastest but struggled with starts, the Triumph rider would capitalize on his speed in Reno, converting his qualifying performance into race victories.
**EX PRO: Walker’s Complete Performance**
**Moto 1: Walker’s Outside Pass Sets the Tone**
Hart grabbed the early holeshot as the gate dropped for Moto 1, but it became immediately evident that Walker had something to prove. With an insane pace that caught everyone off guard, Walker slingshot around the outside in a breathtaking move, making an emphatic statement as he seized the lead.
Hart answered the challenge immediately, matching Walker’s pace and attempting an aggressive inside move through the technical sections. But the pass attempt came just a little too tight after the first couple of laps, causing Hart to bobble and forcing him to take his feet off the pegs to readjust. The mistake cost him several crucial seconds and dropped him to third place, allowing Colton Haaker to assume second position.
But no one could match Walker’s relentless pace. The Triumph rider quickly opened up approximately a 10-second gap on both Hart and Haaker by the midpoint of the race, riding with the confidence and flow that had eluded him in previous rounds. Walker’s ability to find clean lines and maintain momentum through the Reno obstacles demonstrated why he’s considered one of the sport’s most talented riders.
Towards the end of Moto 1, Hart managed to make the pass on Haaker to reclaim second position, but the gap between himself and Walker seemed insurmountable. Despite Hart’s late charge, Walker’s advantage proved too substantial to overcome, and the Triumph rider crossed the finish line to claim his first moto victory since Boise, setting the stage for a potential sweep.
**Moto 2: Thompson’s Gutsy Lead, Walker’s Inevitable Chase**
The inverted row start for Moto 2 gave the mid-pack riders an opportunity to shine, and Nick Thompson capitalized brilliantly. The Goshen, Utah, rider took the lead early and held it longer than usual, demonstrating impressive race craft and determination as the Pro-level riders charged through the field behind him.
Ryder LeBlond raced with renewed aggression alongside Thompson, making a late-series push to claim valuable championship points. LeBlond’s attacking style and willingness to battle showed a rider determined to prove his Round 4 disappointment was an aberration rather than a trend.
The top-ranked Pros finally made their way through the pack to catch Thompson, who had remarkably maintained his lead for almost half the race. When Walker and Hart arrived at Thompson’s rear wheel, the pace noticeably quickened as the championship contenders made their moves.
Walker and Hart executed near-simultaneous passes on Thompson, and it became immediately clear that the real battle was between the two championship rivals. Walker’s superior pace from Moto 1 carried over, and despite Hart’s best efforts to match the Triumph rider’s speed, Walker claimed his second consecutive moto victory, moving closer to the first sweep of the 2025 season.
**Moto 3: Walker’s Wire-to-Wire Dominance, Hart’s Visor Drama**
Walker grabbed the holeshot in Moto 3, and with only a second-place finish needed to clinch the overall victory, the Triumph rider adopted an “all gas, no brakes” mentality. Walker’s aggressive approach immediately distanced him from the rest of the field, making it clear he wasn’t content with just securing the overall – he wanted the statement-making sweep.
Hart followed in second position with approximately a three-second gap after four laps. The championship leader pushed hard, attempting to close the distance and prevent Walker’s clean sweep, but the Triumph rider’s pace remained relentless.
Halfway through the race, Hart appeared to make a mistake. When he returned to view, he was notably missing his visor, and more critically, he had lost second position to Ryder LeBlond. The incident left questions about what exactly happened during Hart’s momentary disappearance from the racing line, but the result was clear – LeBlond had assumed the runner-up spot and Hart had dropped to third.
LeBlond capitalized on the opportunity, riding with the confidence and consistency that had characterized his interview after the race. “By time the last moto came around, honestly, I felt effortless,” LeBlond explained. “Obviously, Johnny kind of gapped us, but between the battle between second, fourth, I don’t even know how many guys were battling there at the end, but yeah, I felt pretty effortless, consistent laps, and, yeah, I definitely got more in the tank and more to show.”
Walker crossed the finish line to complete his historic sweep, pumping his fist in celebration as he claimed the first 1-1-1 performance of the 2025 season. The victory not only demonstrated Walker’s championship credentials but also shifted the momentum dramatically heading into the final round.
**Championship Battle Reaches Critical Juncture**
Hart’s points lead, which stood at six following his injured performance in Redmond, has now shrunk to just three points (119-116) following Walker’s Reno sweep. The championship battle that seemed to favor Hart’s consistency now hinges on a single round, with Walker carrying all the momentum.
Hart’s remarkable consistency streak – 15 consecutive top-two finishes – finally ended in Reno, though the defending champion maintained perspective about his accomplishment. His candid admission of being “flat” throughout the night showed the self-awareness of a champion, even in defeat.
Walker’s transformation from Redmond to Reno couldn’t have been more dramatic. The rider who lamented “terrible starts” just one week ago found his rhythm on the Reno track, finally combining his superior speed with the race execution necessary to win. His comment about having “a smile on my face pretty much every lap” highlighted the mental shift that accompanied his physical performance.
The momentum has clearly shifted to Walker heading into the final round. After three consecutive second-place finishes where he demonstrated championship-caliber speed but faltered on execution, Walker’s Reno performance proved he can put together the complete package when it matters most.
**LeBlond’s Redemption and the Battle for Third**
Ryder LeBlond’s return to the podium came with the aggressive, attacking riding he had been seeking all season. After finishing seventh in Redmond left him “pretty mad” and questioning his consistency, LeBlond rebounded with a statement-making third-place finish.
“After the last one, I was pretty mad. It was, uh, was not a great race for me. I think I got seventh, and I wasn’t too stoked on that, ‘cause other than that, I’ve been pretty consistent this year, and that’s my goal to be consistent,” LeBlond explained. “First moto, I had a lot of issues. All my own just crashed and, like, done little mistakes and rode tight and got sick, and I was like, man, I’m gonna have to work a little harder than the next two.”
LeBlond’s effort paid off, particularly in Moto 3 where he capitalized on Hart’s misfortune to claim second place and secure his third-place overall finish. “I’d be back on the box after a couple of races on up here, so, yeah…” LeBlond concluded with satisfaction.
In the championship standings, LeBlond’s strong performance moved him into a tie for third place with Colton Haaker at 91 points. Both riders trail Hart and Walker significantly but are engaged in their own battle for the final podium position, with Cody Webb (86 points) still within striking distance.
**EX PRO Final Results – Round 5:**
|Pos|# |Make |Rider |Hometown |Moto 1|Moto 2|Moto 3|
|—|—|———|————–|—————–|——|——|——|
|1 |22 |Triumph |Jonny Walker |Great Britain, NA|1st |1st |1st |
|2 |1 |KTM |Trystan Hart |Invermere, BC |2nd |2nd |3rd |
|3 |513|Husqvarna|Ryder LeBlond |New Florence, PA |6th |3rd |2nd |
|4 |10 |Kawasaki |Colton Haaker |Coeur d Alene, ID|3rd |5th |4th |
|5 |2 |Yamaha |Cody Webb |Indian Hills, CA |4th |4th |7th |
|6 |15 |Beta |Max Gerston |New River, AZ |5th |6th |5th |
|7 |99 |Beta |Branden Petrie|Tomahawk, AB |8th |8th |6th |
|8 |96 |Beta |Tim Apolle |Finne, NA |7th |12th |8th |
|9 |575|KTM |Nick Thompson |Goshen, UT |9th |7th |11th |
|10 |110|KTM |Jaden Dahners |Enumclaw, WA |10th |9th |9th |
**EX EXPERT: Petrie Claims Expert Main Victory**
Branden Petrie from Tomahawk, Alberta, claimed the EX Expert Main victory with a commanding performance on his Beta. Marc Fernandez from Barcelona, Spain, secured second place aboard his Rieju, while Jaden Dahners from Enumclaw, Washington, completed the podium in third.
**EX Expert Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Branden Petrie (#99) – Tomahawk, AB
1. Marc Fernandez (#56) – Barcelona, NA
1. Jaden Dahners (#110) – Enumclaw, WA
**EX NOVICE: Surry Extends Dominance**
Ethan Surry from Parksville, BC, continued his stranglehold on the EX Novice division with another commanding victory, claiming wins in both Division 1 and the Main event. Tegan Warnick from Shelley, Idaho, secured second place with Landon Johnson from Lantzville, BC, completing the podium in third.
**EX Novice Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Ethan Surry (#419) – Parksville, BC
1. Tegan Warnick (#131) – Shelley, ID
1. Landon Johnson (#111) – Lantzville, BC
**EX INTERMEDIATE: Eppelmann Continues Winning Form**
Max Eppelmann from Stadecken-Elsheim, Germany, claimed another EX Intermediate victory, demonstrating the technical prowess that has made him one of the standout performers in the developmental classes. Cole Clarkson from Paradise, California, secured second place with Cooper Stevens from Lake Stevens, Washington, completing the podium in third.
**EX Intermediate Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Max Eppelmann (#344) – Stadecken-Elsheim, NA
1. Cole Clarkson (#319) – Paradise, CA
1. Cooper Stevens (#12) – Lake Stevens, WA
**EX VETERAN: Amos Claims Veteran Victory**
Ray Amos from Athol, Idaho, claimed the EX Veteran Main victory, overcoming his third-place Division 1 finish with a strong performance. Bobby Prochnau from Salmon Arm, BC, secured second place after winning Division 1, with TJ Scrupps from Stanwood, Washington, completing the podium in third.
**EX Veteran Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Ray Amos (#78) – Athol, ID
1. Bobby Prochnau (#24) – Salmon Arm, BC
1. TJ Scrupps (#218) – Stanwood, WA
**EX JUNIOR: Clarkson Claims Junior Victory**
Cole Clarkson from Paradise, California, claimed the EX Junior Main victory with a commanding performance that showcased his ability to compete across multiple classes. Kael Widdicombe from Billings, Montana, secured second place after winning Division 1, with Max Eppelmann completing an impressive night by claiming third place in Junior after winning the Intermediate class.
**EX Junior Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Cole Clarkson (#319) – Paradise, CA
1. Kael Widdicombe (#47) – Billings, MT
1. Max Eppelmann (#344) – Stadecken-Elsheim, NA
**EX CLUB: Stevens Maintains Club Dominance**
Cooper Stevens from Lake Stevens, Washington, continued his dominance of the EX Club class with another commanding victory. Landon Lampinen from Stanwood, Washington, secured second place with Shandon Millett from Ephraim, Utah, completing the podium in third.
**EX Club Final Results – Round 5:**
1. Cooper Stevens (#12) – Lake Stevens, WA
1. Landon Lampinen (#18) – Stanwood, WA
1. Shandon Millett (#60) – Ephraim, UT
**Looking Ahead: Championship Showdown**
The 2025 Slavens AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance now comes down to a single, winner-take-all final round. Hart’s three-point advantage (119-116) represents the slimmest margin in the championship battle all season, and Walker’s momentum from his Reno sweep has completely transformed the title fight.
Hart’s 15-race streak of top-two finishes finally ended in Reno, but the defending champion’s overall body of work this season remains impressive. His candid admission of being “flat” demonstrated the self-awareness and honesty that have endeared him to fans, even as his championship lead evaporated. Hart knows he’ll need to rediscover his early-season form to hold off Walker’s late-season charge.
Walker’s transformation from frustrated speed demon to complete racer came at precisely the right moment. After weeks of lamenting poor starts that cost him valuable points, the Triumph rider finally put together three flawless performances when it mattered most. His comment about racing with “a smile on my face” revealed the mental breakthrough that accompanied his physical dominance – Walker has finally found the joy and flow state that unlocks his championship potential.
The mathematics favor Hart – he needs only to finish ahead of Walker in the final round to clinch his third consecutive championship. But momentum clearly favors Walker, who will carry the confidence of his first sweep into the season finale. The stage is set for an epic showdown that could define both riders’ legacies.
Beyond the championship battle, several other storylines will play out in the final round. The tie for third place between Haaker and LeBlond (both with 91 points) adds intrigue to the podium positions, while Webb (86 points) remains within striking distance if either of the tied riders falters.
The Reno Events Center proved to be an excellent venue for Round 5, with a flowing track that rewarded smooth, aggressive riding while punishing mistakes. Walker’s comment about loving the track’s flow highlighted how venue design can play a crucial role in EnduroCross competition, with different obstacles and layouts favoring different riding styles.
As the series heads to its conclusion, questions abound: Can Hart rediscover the consistency that built his championship lead? Will Walker maintain the momentum and mental approach that delivered his Reno sweep? Can LeBlond secure his first career podium in the championship standings? The final round promises to answer these questions and crown a champion in what has become one of the most competitive seasons in EnduroCross history.
**Series Standings After Round 5:**
**EX PRO Championship Points:**
|Pos |# |Rider |Hometown |Total Points|
|—-|—|—————|——————|————|
|1st |1 |Trystan Hart |Invermere, BC |119 |
|2nd |22 |Jonny Walker |Great Britain, NA |116 |
|3rd |10 |Colton Haaker |Coeur d Alene, ID |91 |
|3rd |513|Ryder LeBlond |New Florence, PA |91 |
|5th |2 |Cody Webb |Indian Hills, CA |86 |
|6th |15 |Max Gerston |New River, AZ |76 |
|7th |12 |Cooper Abbott |Surprise, AZ |68 |
|7th |96 |Tim Apolle |Finne, NA |68 |
|9th |53 |Braxton Hintze |Nephi, UT |63 |
|10th|99 |Branden Petrie |Tomahawk, AB |56 |
|11th|575|Nick Thompson |Goshen, UT |54 |
|12th|56 |Marc Fernandez |Barcelona, NA |37 |
|13th|55 |James Flynn |Post Falls, ID |36 |
|14th|10x|Niko Piazza |Dalton Gardens, ID|28 |
|15th|521|Anthony Johnson|Rathdrum, ID |26 |
|16th|110|Jaden Dahners |Enumclaw, WA |23 |
|17th|6 |Ty Cullins |Phoenix, AZ |21 |
|18th|101|Blake Neville |Quesnel, BC |6 |
|19th|127|Coleman Johnson|Rathdrum, ID |5 |
|19th|492|Dustin McCarthy|El Cajon, CA |5 |
For more information about the 2025 Slavens AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive Insurance, visit [endurocross.com](http://endurocross.com) or follow @endurocross on social media.