Motorcycle Superstore: DeLong Wins AMA National Enduro Title
Monday, September 15, 2014 | 11:15 AM
After ten rounds of mud, boulders, logs and slippery tree roots, Motorcycle Superstore / Bell Helmet / Factory Husqvarna's Andrew DeLong captured the Kenda AMA National Enduro Championship. DeLong's 3rd place finish at the Muddobbers National Enduro was ten spots better than he needed to clinch the title. His season included two first place finishes, five third places, a fourth and a seventh overall.
Andrew DeLong - 2014 National Enduro Champion
"I struggled earlier in the day, I was pretty nervous. My stomach was upset in the morning and I couldn't eat anything. I was pretty tough on myself in the first tests.
I wasn't riding well and was making little stupid mistakes. It wasn't the day I wanted to have.
"I changed my tire halfway through the day and that seemed to help; from there I just rode a smart, consistent race. I knew I had to finish 13th or better to win the title but finishing the year on the podium and winning the championship is an awesome feeling."
Russell Bobbitt Returns In Style
The Muddobbers was also the return race for Motorcycle Superstore's Russell Bobbitt who, coming off a season-long injury, piloted his Factory Husqvarna to the overall win.
"The conditions were so good - you just wanted to keep leaning the bike over. The club did a great job with lots of good flowing single-track. I kept picking up the pace as the day went on. In the end, it was great to have Andrew win the championship, and for me to come back and get a win this year."
Six Motorcycle Superstore Athletes in the Top Ten
Not only did Motorcycle Superstore riders take the first and third spots, they also captured four more top ten positions. Nick Fahringer, 6th; Cory Buttrick, 7th; Jesse Groemm, 9th and Ryder Lafferty rounded out the top ten.
Congratulations Craig DeLong - AA Expert Class Champion
Throughout the year, Motorcycle Superstore's Craig DeLong quietly placed his Husqvarna somewhere near the tenth overall position race after race. As an AA Expert rider he was definitely the top rider in that class, easily winning the class championship by standing on top the podium seven times during the ten-round series.
Don't Forget the Ladies...
The Muddobbers Enduro was also a solid event for the Motorcycle Superstore women with Shawn Davidson and Rachel Gutish finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.