David Knight Wins First Round of EnduroCross

Denver, CO - RedBull KTM’s David Knight showed race fans why his popularity continues to grow as he took a convincing win over the rest of the field at round one of the Maxxis EnduroCross Series September 29 at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO. National Hare and Hound Champion David Pearson finished fifth.

Knight’s day started off well with a heat race win early on.  Pearson and Mike Lafferty would have worse luck as Pearson suffered two crashes and Lafferty crashed once during their heat races forcing them both into the semis. KTM rider, Kyle Redmonds finished second in heat #2 earning a spot on the gate for the main event.

As the track became rougher, Pearson suited up for Semi #1.  He knew that he had to get first as only one rider transferred from each semi to the main. Pearson started in fifth around the first turn and slowly worked his way up as competitors began to crash out in front. Ty Davis had taken the lead but was losing time to the hard-charging Pearson who was now in the second position. The pass was made over Mount Maxxis as Pearson moved past Davis and into first place securing himself a spot in the final lineup. 

Geoff Aaron grabbed the holeshot and took the early lead aboard his KTM in Semi #2. Aaron and Ricky Dietrich remained close until Aaron crashed over Mount Maxxis. Dietrich won the moto sending Aaron to the LCQ. Lafferty nailed the holeshot in semi #3 over last year’s EnduroCross winner, John Dowd. The two remained close until Dowd crashed handing an easy win over to Lafferty.

Soon, the rider’s began to lineup for the main event. Knight chose the very inside gate while Lafferty and Pearson were 1 and 2 on the outside of the box. Kyle Redmond lined up on the inside of the box which proved to be a good pick as he rounded the first turn inside the top three behind Damon Huffman and Dietrich.  Knight, who wasn’t too far back, quickly jumped into second.   Pearson and Lafferty suffered poor starts and started fighting through traffic near the back of the pack. Knight moved into the lead at the end of the first lap over the finish line jump. Pearson had moved up to fourth by the second lap while Knight continued to lengthen his lead up front. Lafferty was still moving forward while Redmond endured a couple crashes sending him to the back of the pack. At the end, Knight took the checkers, Pearson was 5th, Lafferty had worked his way into 7th and Redmond finished 10th.

MAXXIS ENDUROCROSS ROUND 1 RESULTS:
1. David Knight (KTM)
2. Keith Wineland (Montesa)
3. Damon Huffman (Suz)
4. Nick Brozovich (Yam)
5. David Pearson (KTM)
6. Phil Smage (Sherco)
7. Ricky Dietrich (Kaw)
8. Mike Lafferty (KTM)
9. Nick Mantzoros (Sherco)
10. Kyle Redmond (KTM)

NEXT RACE:   – October 6 – Maxxis EnduroCross – Lazy E Arena – Guthrie, Oklahoma