2023 Snake Bite Hard Enduro Results

| April 5, 2023

The inaugural Snake Bite Hard Enduro ran its course in Post, Texas, April 1-2. It was round four of the AMA West Hard Enduro Series, Presented by Beta, and it was Will Riordan, on the FMF RPM KTM, taking the overall win.

Will Riordan at 2023 Snake Bite Hard Enduro — **Will Riordan was the overall winner at the Snake Bite Hard Enduro in Texas.**

Story by Matt Musgrove | Photos by Andrew Nguyen/WinPic Photography

This was the first hard enduro race promoted by the Lubbock Trail Riders, and it utilized untouched sections of this 14,000-acre ranch that has hosted the NHHA and NEPG in past years. The format consisted of a long 25+ mile loop on faster, technical single track, which led into a shorter four-mile hard enduro section known as Nine Hills, that traversed up and down steep and rocky hills near the campgrounds. After the riders completed one full lap, they then had to complete four more laps around Nine Hills in the four-hour time limit. This newer format allowed for the amateurs to spread out on the single track that the Lubbock Trail Riders commonly use, while the pros battled it out on the shorter hard enduro loop with multiple laps.

Starting in waves by class, it was Danny Lewis (Beta USA) who took the holeshot and led through the first couple of miles. Riordan was close behind and eventually pulled ahead of Lewis, gapping the field by a few minutes when they entered Nine Hills.

Cody Webb (Factory1 Sherco) had a rough start. His chain derailed within a few minutes on the first rocky hill. He pushed his bike back to the pit, made some quick repairs, and went back out nearly last. But he still managed to pass his way through the majority of the field on the long loop.

Cody Webb at 2023 Snake Bite Hard Enduro — **Cody Webb came from behind to finish second.**

Rockstar Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker was pushing with the lead pack in third, with teammate Ryder LeBlond, and Danny Lewis not far behind. Haaker took a rock to the eye early in the race and was riding with that eye closed nearly the entire race.

Riordan’s three-minute lead after lap one over LeBlond and Haaker dwindled to about 30 seconds on lap two, making for a tight battle for the top spots through the very rocky and loose hills. At the halfway point, Mexico’s David Garza was in fifth, and Webb was sixth.

Riordan retained his lead through Nine Hills, while Webb kept picking his way through, eventually moving into second place.

Colton Haaker at 2023 Snake Bite Hard Enduro — **Colton Haaker got on the podium despite suffering an eye injury.**

LeBlond suffered radiator damage, which ended his race a lap before the finish.

A back-and-forth battle for the top five among Lewis, James Flynn and Brandon Petrie was exciting to watch for the final two laps. Petrie pulled ahead of the pack and held off a charging Lewis for nearly an entire lap.

Riordan finished his final lap in three hours and 24 minutes, winning the race and the USHE Pro class for the first time. Webb finished six minutes behind Riordan.

Haaker still finished in third for his best ride of the 2023 season. Petrie took fourth, only 10 seconds ahead of Lewis.