Tely Energy KTM ’ s Liam Draper was third in the Pro division and fourth overall . Draper was in the hunt all weekend for second overall , mixing it up with DuVall and Girroir .
“ Layne put it to us again , but me and Thad were like one second apart in some tests ,” said Draper . “ I crashed in the first enduro test today and then crashed again , which cost me a lot of time . So it was a rough today but I was still close and I was happy with the last test for the day .”
As usual , Ben Nelko was super-fast in the cross test , but this weekend the Seven Sixty Racing Husqvarna rider found his groove in the enduro test , which propelled him to fifth overall and second in the Pro2 division .
“ I finally figured out the enduro test ,” said Nelko . “ I ’ ve been working with Stew Baylor at the Shoals MX a lot , focusing on the woods more than riding moto like I ’ ve been in the past . It was good . I know that I ' m always going to be solid on the cross test , so we just worked the woods mainly and it worked out . It was a good weekend .”
Rounding out the Pro2 podium with sixth overall was Max Sports / FXR / Husqvarna ’ s Evan Smith , who was racing his first sprint enduro in two years .
“ It was good returning to the sprint format ,” said Smith . “ They ’ re a lot higher intensity than I was ready
VOL . 6 ISSUE 7 - JULY 2021 // PAGE 91