| April 5, 2023
The inaugural Snake Bite Hard Enduro ran its course in Post, Texas, April 1-2. It was round 4 of the AMA West Hard Enduro Series, Presented by Beta, and it was Will Riordan, on the FMF RPM KTM, taking the total win.
Story by Matt Musgrove | Photos by Andrew Nguyen/WinPic Photography
This was the very first difficult enduro race promoted by the Lubbock Trail Riders, and it made use of unblemished areas of this 14,000-acre cattle ranch that has actually hosted the NHHA and NEPG in previous years. The format included a long 25+ mile loop on much faster, technical single track, which led into a much shorter four-mile difficult enduro area called Nine Hills, that passed through up and down high and rocky hills near the camping areas. After the riders finished one complete lap, they then needed to finish 4 more laps around Nine Hills in the four-hour time frame. This more recent format enabled the beginners to expand on the single track that the Lubbock Trail Riders typically utilize, while the pros fought it out on the much shorter difficult enduro loop with numerous laps.
Starting in waves by class, it was Danny Lewis (Beta U.S.A.) who took the holeshot and led through the very first number of miles. Riordan was close behind and ultimately pulled ahead of Lewis, gapping the field by a couple of minutes when they went into Nine Hills.
Cody Webb (Factory1 Sherco) had a rough start. His chain thwarted within a couple of minutes on the very first rocky hill. He pressed his bike back to the pit, made some fast repair work, and returned out almost last. But he still handled to pass his method through most of the field on the long loop.
Rockstar Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker was pressing with the lead pack in 3rd, with colleague Ryder LeBlond, and Danny Lewis not far behind. Haaker took a rock to the eye early in the race and was riding with that eye closed almost the whole race.
Riordan’s three-minute lead after lap one over LeBlond and Haaker decreased to about 30 seconds on lap 2, producing a tight fight for the leading areas through the really rocky and loose hills. At the middle, Mexico’s David Garza remained in 5th, and Webb was 6th.
Riordan maintained his lead through Nine Hills, while Webb kept choosing his method through, ultimately moving into 2nd location.
LeBlond suffered radiator damage, which ended his race a lap prior to the surface.
A back-and-forth fight for the leading 5 amongst Lewis, James Flynn and Brandon Petrie was interesting to look for the last 2 laps. Petrie pulled ahead of the pack and held back a charging Lewis for almost a whole lap.
Riordan completed his last lap in 3 hours and 24 minutes, winning the race and the USHE Pro class for the very first time. Webb completed 6 minutes behind Riordan.
Haaker still completed in 3rd for his finest flight of the 2023 season. Petrie took 4th, just 10 seconds ahead of Lewis.
2023 Snake Bite Hard Enduro Results
OVERALL
- Will Riordan (KTM)
- Cody Webb (She)
- Colton Haaker (Hus)
- Branden Petrie (She)
- Daniel Lewis (Bet)
- James Flynn (GG)
- Ryder LeBlond (Hus)
- David Garza (KTM)
- Gauge Logan-Key (GG)
- Josh Staley (GG)
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