Reigning Kenda AMA National Enduro Champion Andrew DeLong bags the win at round two of the series and gets back on track for a title defense.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong rebounded from his disappointing eighth-place finish at round of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series to score his first win of the 2015 series with an impressive ride at the Sandlapper National Enduro in Pelion, South Carolina, yesterday.
DeLong excelled in the cold, rainy weather that made the Sandlapper course muddy and slick, winning four of the six special tests.
“It was a good day,” DeLong said. “I felt like I rode awesome and was one of my best rides of my career. I ended up winning by almost a full minute. The track was super muddy, and it was a tough day, but I was able to keep up long enough to win. I am happy to get my Husqvarna FC 350 back on the podium.”
FMF KTM Factory rider Kailub Russell scored his second consecutive runner-up finish of the season, matching his performance at the series opener, and the result was good enough to move him past Steward Baylor Jr., who finished eighth, and into the series point lead. Russell got off to a great start by finishing second to DeLong in the first special test. After that, Russell never finished outside the top-five, and that consistency was the key to his success.
Russell now leads the Kenda AMA National Enduro series standings by seven points over DeLong, 50-43. This marks the first time in his career that Russell has led the points in the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series.
“I’m always bummed when I can’t win a race, but I am excited that I didn’t have any issues today, and I felt pretty good,” Russell said. “The track was slick, and there are definitely a lot of things that could have happened, but I managed to stay up and finish on the podium.”
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Grant Baylor also made up for a lackluster finish at the series opener by landing the third and final podium spot at the Sandlapper. Baylor posted the fastest times in the third and fourth tests to help his cause.
“I just tried to keep it on two wheels and be consistent, and I guess it paid off,” Baylor said.
Kenda AMA National Enduro Series
Sandlapper National Enduro
Pelion, South Carolina
Results: March 1, 2015 (Round 2 of 10)
Overall
1. Andrew DeLong-Hus
2. Kailub Russell-KTM
3. Grant Baylor-Yam
4. Russell Bobbitt-KTM
5. Brad Bakken-Yam
6. Josh Strang-Hus
7. Cory Buttrick-Bet
8. Steward Baylor Jr.-KTM
9. Trevor Bollinger-Yam
10. Chris Bach-Hon
Kenda AMA National Enduro Series Point Standings (After 2 of 10 rounds)
1. Kailub Russell-50
2. Andrew DeLong-43/1 win
2. Steward Baylor Jr.-43/1 win
4. Brad Bakken-37
5. Russell Bobbitt-36
6. Grant Baylor-33
7. Cory Buttrick-30
8. Josh Strang-29
9. Chris Bach-26
10. Ryder Lafferty-21
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