On The Pegs August 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 8 | Page 79

On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 8 - August 2018
P 79
Grant Baylor turned in a near-perfect performance at the
Cherokee National Enduro this weekend, winning all seven
tests en route to a decisive victory.
Grant’s star has been on the rise the last two months and
that momentum led to a totally dominating performance this
weekend. After 93 miles of tight woods racing, the Tely Rac-
ing KTM rider took the overall victory by one-minute-twenty-
three seconds ahead of second place.
“I still had a few mistakes, but overall the performance
was a good one and I’m pleased with it,” said Grant. “I just
seemed to click perfectly with the bike today. Wherever I
pointed my tires the bike went, and everything just hooked
up.”
Sweeping an entire event (winning all of the tests) is a rare
feat, though a few riders have done it, including Grant’s
brother, Steward Baylor. However, the chances of doing so
when there is a seventh test are incredible.
“This has always been one of my goals was to win all of the
tests and we went the extra mile this weekend since there
were seven tests in stead of the usual six,” said Grant. “I’ve
been picking up speed little by little this year and I’m excited
about where it has taken me.”
Josh Toth was another rider having an exceptional day.
The FMF KTM Factory rider equaled his career-best finish of
the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series with a second place,
beating out Steward Baylor by 16 seconds.
“I didn’t win any tests today but I felt solid all day,” said
Toth. “Grant was really riding strong, but it was close be-
tween the top three riders, which makes it enjoyable. I’m
starting to read the trail a bit better and I’m more comfort-
able going fast on trail that I haven’t seen before. I think all of
those factors led to my performance today.”
Toth gained a few points on Steward in the series standings,
although Steward still holds a nine-point advantage over the
Connecticut rider with five rounds to go.
Steward rounded out the podium in third, despite dealing
with an injured knee and a case of the flu this week.