Coming off of a Le Mans-style start , LeBlond was able to head off 2020 champion FactoryONE Sherco ’ s Nick Fahringer at almost every checkpoint throughout the race , ultimately reaching the final checkpoint exactly four seconds ahead of Fahringer .
“ Perfect conditions left me scratching my head over just how slick the rocks were ,” Fahringer posted on Instagram . “ When I accepted the predictably unpredictable traction and the dark to a set , I picked up the pace and started jumping some wild lines with all the scary stuff hidden in the shadows . Runner up to Ryder LeBlond , who ’ s been on a roll this season , but I didn ’ t let him dominate as severely this weekend .”
Rieju USA ’ s Quinn Wentzel rounded out the podium , coming in just two checkpoints behind .
Ethan Burkhart took the win in the Silver Class , 16-34 , a full 14 seconds ahead of Greg Nolf . Lucas Veloso would round out the podium , coming in a few seconds behind Greg . In the Silver Class 35 +, Lee Hickock would take the win , with Jeffrey Hagewood coming in second , and Michael Manuel in third .
Current series standings going into Round 4 , the River Monster GPS , show Ryder in first place with 120 points and a perfect 1-1-1 record in the series . In second place , with 97
VOL . 6 ISSUE 7 - JULY 2021 // PAGE 159