Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond Secures Third Overall in 2024 U.S. Hard Enduro Series

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team made a significant impact this weekend during the final round of the 2024 U.S. Hard Enduro Series. Ryder LeBlond and Colton Haaker, both sporting a distinctive Heritage livery, demonstrated their prowess in one of the most challenging events on the calendar, the Tennessee Knockout (TKO). Meanwhile, Craig DeLong and Korie Steede continued their strong performances in the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series, each fighting for top spots in their respective categories.

U.S. Hard Enduro Series – Round 7: Tennessee Knockout

The TKO weekend started with an electrifying start as LeBlond and Haaker took to the Downtown Nashville Straight Rhythm Prologue. Under the lights, both riders showcased their skill, with LeBlond finishing third on the podium and Haaker securing second place, setting the tone for the weekend.

On Sunday, the competition intensified as Haaker navigated through the Knockout races, eventually securing a seventh-place finish in the Final Knockout aboard his Husqvarna TE 300. LeBlond also delivered a commendable performance, placing sixth in TKO Race #1 and second in TKO Race #2 before crossing the finish line in ninth position in the Final Knockout.

Reflecting on the weekend, Haaker said, “We had a blast this weekend, beginning with the Straight Rhythm and our results Downtown, followed by the Knockout. TKO is always a super-competitive race, and the result was a good one on Sunday.”

LeBlond’s efforts throughout the series earned him third place in the U.S. Hard Enduro Series standings, while Haaker rounded out the season in fifth place. LeBlond commented, “It was a fun weekend. I was able to put it on the podium in Nashville for the Straight Rhythm, so that was a really good event and result. The weekend didn’t go too well; I made some mistakes on the first lap and then came back through around the top five before making another mistake in the closing stages. Still, it was a good weekend. I enjoyed racing the internationals and look forward to doing it again at the next one!”

U.S. Sprint Enduro Series – Round 7: Masontown, West Virginia

In the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series, Craig DeLong faced a challenging weekend but managed to secure a fourth-place finish overall after a pair of fourth-place results in the individual rounds. Despite a few setbacks, including crashes on both Saturday and Sunday, DeLong remains a strong contender, holding third place in the overall standings with one round left to go.

“It was an okay weekend, but I struggled with some crashes and had a big one on Saturday,” DeLong shared. “I was able to get moving again and went down again on Sunday, so it was disappointing to end up on the ground like that a couple of times. It was an off weekend for me, so we’ll regroup and look to come back stronger at the next one.”

Korie Steede, riding in the Pro Women class, continued her streak of podium finishes, placing second on both days despite battling the effects of a mid-week crash. Her perseverance paid off, and she now sits comfortably in second place in the championship standings.

“I had some really good tests and found myself on the ground a couple of times in the others,” Steede reflected. “It was a rough weekend in some ways, but we had a good time, and to finish on the podium is always good. We’re improving every race, and that’s the goal.”

Upcoming Offroad Races – September 2024

As the season progresses, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing looks ahead to a packed September schedule with key events in the Grand National Cross Country Series, National Enduro Series, National Hare and Hound Championship, and National Grand Prix Championship.