Michaux Enduro: 13th overall!

Photo Credit: Melik Family

Race Report: ECEA Enduro Series Round 16: SPER Michaux Enduro

Rider: Zack Huberty

Bike: MotoFIT KTM 200 XC

Result: A-200 1^st, 13^th Overall

Report:

            After a frustrating ride at the Beehive Enduro with a third place finish, I was determined to come back strong at the last rock race.  After class on Friday, I made the drive home and got to work mowing lawns.  After mowing, I got the rest of my gear ready for Michaux.  Saturday night, my dad and I drove to Michaux and spent the night.  I was unsure of whether or not to run a Vee Rubber Trials tire at Michaux as it had rained for a couple days, although it appeared dry where we camped.  Sunday morning, I made the swap to the Trials Tire as I thought it would be a good choice for the technical terrain (Also, it was the advice given by Pete Wright).  We used a National Enduro format for this enduro with 6 total sections ranging from 3.3 miles to 8.5 miles.  Most of the sections were around 8 miles which spread out the scores.

            My goal for the first section of the day was to ride smooth and under my ability as I have been having a tough time in first sections at enduros.  I have been getting bad arm-pump, riding over my head, and crashing a lot.  I decided to take it easy the first few miles and then turn up my speed.  I was able to navigate the technical section with no falls and dropped a good score.  A lot of riders had trouble here with big crashes or broken equipment.  The second section of the day was probably my worst as we got lost and added an unnecessary ½ mile by making a wrong turn.  Because of this, my score wasn’t where it should have been but I finished the section strong.

            The rest of the day, I was able to ride flawless and I rode a little out of my comfort zone in order to stick with the faster riders on my row.  One of the craziest sections featured a 35 mph speed which consisted of logging roads, ATV trails, and mountain side paths.  I was able to tie some of the AA riders in here (although I ran out of gears in a lot of areas).  The 5^th section featured 3.3 miles of technical moon rock and jagged rocky single-track.  I did my best to pick good lines and not get stuck.  I was able to drop a 2 here which was what the other AA riders dropped.  The last section of the day was the most fun for me as I battled Pete Wright who later took home 6^th overall and the High Point A award.  I was able to make 2 passes on him and kept with him over the 7.5 mile section.  If I can continue to follow him in upcoming races from the beginning, I should be able to do better.  The current AA pace is uncomfortable for me at times but it is allowing me to learn how to go their speed.

            At the end of the day, my hard work paid off with my seventh win of the season and a 13^th overall finish.  I am hoping to continue to ride strong at the last two enduros.  I have a month and a half off right now from racing so I will mountain bike weekly, eat healthy, and prepare for the last two rounds of the ECEA Enduro Series.  I would like to thank my dad for helping me out the past few races by driving me to the races, helping me get prepared and pitting for me.  Without his help, I wouldn’t be as focused on the racing part at the enduros.    

I would also like to thank the support of my family and friends, as well as my sponsors which are Johnny Limp at Torc1Racing, Drew Smith at WER Suspension, Tech Tube, Mike at MotoFIT, PowerSeal USA, Unabiker, FMF, Jerod Stoner at JS Designs for the jersey lettering, EKS Brand Goggles, P3, All Balls Racing, Sixsixone, Mika Metals, N-Style, Vertex Pistons, Fly Racing, DT-1 Filters, Motorex, Hinson Clutch Components, Acerbis, and Clockwork KTM.

A-200 Class Results

1) Zack Huberty (MotoFIT KTM) 29-533

2) Steve Aretz (KTM) 38-642

3) Ron Decaro (KTM) 42-750

4) Brad Gelwicks (KTM) 48-948

5) Rob Mohn (KAWI) 58-981

For more information:
Check WER Suspension out on Facebook “Works Enduro Rider (WER)”
Check MotoFIT Motorsports out on Facebook “MotoFIT”

Check Zack Huberty out on Facebook “Zack Huberty”
Check Zack Huberty’s Blog http://zackhuberty323racing.blogspot.com/

Thanks to the Melik Family for the photo.