Three KLIM motorcycle athletes lined up in the EX Pro class at opening night of the six-round 2023 AMA IRC Tire EnduroCross Series presented by Progressive in Everett, Washington, on October 7, and two landed inside the top 10 in a stacked class of the world's top EnduroCross talent.

Max Gerston went 8-4-9 tying for 7th overall, Anthony Johnson went 9-10-10 for 10th overall and Factory Beta’s Danny Lewis finished 15th in his first EnduroCross in two years. 

“Being able to get into the main was a huge boost of confidence for me,” Lewis said Monday. 

The Pennsylvania rider recently wrapped up a full season of the 2023 AMA IRC US Hard Enduro Series presented by KLIM, and said the shorter, sprint-style EnduroCross races are “way harder than it sounds.”

“EnduroCross is so much more intense than Hard Enduro,” Lewis said. “Just go as fast as you can for 6 minutes.” 

Wearing KLIM’s XC Lite off-road motorcycle kit in Corrosion Warm Gray, Lewis added, “The XC Lite was so good this weekend. Deserves an award for best looks.”

For Johnson, in 10th overall, the first round of EnduroCross was super fun on a track mixed with flowy and technical obstacles. 

“I had to start my day off in the Expert class and thankfully won my qualifier and the Expert main event, which put me into the Pro mains,” Johnson said Monday. “In the end, I had to do four motos instead of three but averaged a 10th overall, which means I don’t have to race Expert at Round 2.”

Also wearing the XC Lite's Corrosion Warm Gray colorway with a F3 Carbon Pro Off-Road Helmet in Striker Red, Johnson added, “It’s by far my favorite combo to wear for any race I compete in!”

For Gerston, an EnduroCross veteran who went 8-4-9 tying for seventh overall, the track in Everett was “simple but tough with big obstacles and slick wet soil. I was able to continue moving forward and minimize mistakes.”

On his top-five finish in the second moto, he said, “I remembered to breathe again in Moto 2 so I was able to get into more of a rhythm and flow.” 

“My riding level is higher than last year and I am in the mix, which is a huge confidence booster,” Gerston added. “Stoked for the next race.”

Photos ©️ Jenny Keller Photography / @jennygkeller and @nickcgclark

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At the penultimate Round 7 of the AMA West Hare Scrambles in Washougal, Washington, on October 8, Factory Beta’s Zane Roberts finished third out of five in the Pro class with seven laps in 2:47:15. 

“It was a good race for me,” Roberts said Monday. “I’ve struggled with the opening portion of the races this year but was able to holeshot and stay in the battle for the lead for about 1.5 hours.” 

The Nevada rider held second for the first four laps – until the last hour – adding that he lost some time toward the end of the race to finish third. 

“Unfortunately wasn’t quite able to hold onto that pace,” Roberts added. “The dirt was really tacky in some spots and extremely slick in others, which is pretty typical in these woods races. The grass track and motocross portions of the track were definitely my favorite. I still have some work to do in the woods but have definitely improved this year.” 

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Up next: 

AMA EnduroCross - Round 2, Prescott Valley, Arizona, October 21

AMA National Hare and Hound - Round 6, Lucerne Valley, California, October 22

AMA EnduroCross - Round 3 & 4, Idaho Falls, Idaho, October 27 & 28

AMA West Hare Scrambles, Round 8, Wilseyville, California, November 19

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Have a race report we missed? Email us at racers@klim.com! 

Ride hard, ride often, ride KLIM. #KLIMLife