ROUND 2 ADULT RACE REPORT

“Girroir Does It Again”
2024 US Sprint Enduro Series presented by Moose Racing
Round 2
February 3-4, 2024
Buffalo, South Carolina
Story by Shan Moore

Defending series champ FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir remained
undefeated in the 2024 US Sprint Enduro Series after topping round two at Silver Hawk
Plantation in Buffalo, South Carolina. Although AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper, who is
still coming to grips with his 450, didn’t make it easy on Girroir. Draper won the first test
of the weekend to kick off Saturday’s event and then went on to win two more on
Sunday (though he was just seconds behind in others), losing the battle to Girroir over
the course of the two days by a minute and 15 seconds.

“Yesterday I struggled in the cross, like I always do,” said Girroir. “But I was able to make up
some time in the enduro test. I was just feeling really good, flowing really nice. Brought the
intensity again on day two and was able to have a really good weekend. Liam was riding really
good, and Craig (DeLong) started riding really good towards the end there. It was just a good,
fun weekend. The cross test was awesome and the woods test was gnarly.”
Draper took advantage of his woods riding skills since he rode the enduro series last
year to pick up a pair of enduro wins on Sunday. “I was battling with Johnny for the first half
of both days and got a little lead a few times each day, so that was cool,” said Draper. “It’s
definitely been a good start on the 450, and I’m enjoying it. I got some testing to do this week,
but other than that, I felt good all day. I struggled a little bit towards the end there. The track
just got super rough. I just kind of brought it home in second, but it was a good weekend.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong rounded out the podium after getting off to a slow
start on Saturday.

“I was struggling with some things,” said DeLong.” I was just going slow. I had a crash yesterday
and ended up sitting on my header pipe. I got two burns on my butt. So, I lost some time
yesterday. I probably would have had third yesterday, but I had a crash and lost some time.
Today I struggled a bit in the morning. I was messing with my bike and got it working a lot better
there halfway through the day. For the cross-test test, I picked up a little bit of time, but for the
enduro test, I was able to pick up some more time. I was feeling more like myself. So, that was
good. It’s good for my mental side. Just put me in a happier spot.”
Phoenix Honda Racing’s Cody Barnes and Husqvarna rider Jason Tino battled back
and forth all weekend, with Barnes getting fourth and fourth Pro 1 rider, while Tino Took
fifth overall and won the Pro 2 class.

Landers KTM Racing’s Gus Riordan was second in the Pro 2 division and sixth overall.
I was pretty slow. I was still able to get second, but Tanner was on one. He rode well. Just
cruise along. The cross tests I didn’t mind, but the woods test, I felt like I was at a national
enduro. I’ve never done one, but it was too tough for my liking. But it was good.”
Enduro Engineering rider Josh Toth (GG) had a rough day and finished seventh.
Babbitts Off-road Kawasaki’s JoJo Cunningham was eighth overall and first Pro-Am
rider.

Yeah, it wasn’t too bad. I struggled the first couple tests. Bubs got ahead of me. Was actually
not happy he was in front of me, but I was at the same time. So I jumped behind him. I’d rather
chase than start out front. So, chased him a couple times. Got out maybe two seconds in front
of him by the end of the day. Then Coop. The track was pretty rough today, and I don’t know.
Coop must have ate something good this morning. He was all over us. The track was getting
way worse, way rougher. I knew I had a good lead, and then I knew Bubs was surviving his
bike. I just figured try to ride smooth and clean through the last test and just keep it out front all
weekend. Coop got in front of me, I think the last test or two tests something. I just figured I’d try
to chase him in the enduro. Got him, so two Saturday wins, Sunday win. Not too bad.
Rounding out ninth and tenth was Jack Edmondson and Jack Simon (Hsq).

TOP PRO WOMEN OF SPRINT ENDURO
(FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Brandi Richards dominated the Pro Women’s division.,
sweeping 10 of 12 tests in the process.

“I was stoked on the cross test, having some bumps out there,” said Richards.” It was super
flowing. The enduro test, I was a little hesitant going into it just because that’s probably the
tightest stuff I’ve ridden all year. But I’m extremely happy with how I felt in it and how I
progressed all weekend. These girls are fast. They’re ripping. Every test I go out there, I have to
be on my toes and I push it. It was a good weekend. Super happy with it. “
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede

Korie Steede / Brandy Richards / Rachel Gutish

‘The enduro test was super fun I like the tight stuff. Always happy to come away with a test win
here and there. But all in all, solid weekend.
FactoryONE Sherco’s Rachel Gutish gave Steede a good race, beating her in two of the
twelve tests.

⚡ ELECTRIC CORNER ⚡