Story: Shan Moore / US Sprint Enduro Series
Semora, NC. March 31, 2024

Johnny Girroir Digs In at the Warrior Sprint

It wasn’t easy, especially on Saturday, but Johnny Girroir remained undefeated in the 2024 US Sprint Enduro Series after the FMF KTM Factory Racer won both days of this weekend’s Warrior US Sprint Enduro on a beautiful Easter weekend in Semora, North Carolina. With AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper nipping at his heels (and FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers’ Angus Riordan waiting in the wings), Girroir eked out Saturday’s win by 16 seconds over Draper.

“Yesterday was a little rough,” said Girroir. “A couple of crashes and stuff set me back. I think everyone was crashing. It was slick and very unpredictable. Last night, I went to bed a little frustrated last night, and told myself, “I really need to hit my marks, tomorrow. I felt like I did that today. It was a good weekend.”

Girroir nearly threw it away on a G-out on Sunday’s opening enduro test, but amazingly was able to save it and still win the test.

“I was sweating that one,” said Girroir. “I thought I was a goner.”

In all, Girroir won 11 of the 14 tests and topped Draper, who had two test wins, by 16 seconds on Saturday. Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong was third on Saturday, another six seconds back, while Riordan was fourth, having won the final cross test on Saturday.

Giroir swept Sunday’s event and beat Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth by 27 seconds, with Pro 2 riders Gus Riordan, Jason Tino and Draper in Pro 1 rounding out the top five.

Draper was particularly fast on the cross test, winning two of four on Saturday.

“Saturday was really good,” said Draper. “I was the closest I think I’ve ever been to Johnny for most of the day.”

Draper, who is still getting used to the 450, had a big get-off on Saturday. “In cross test four, I hit the dirt hard,” said Draper. “That kind of threw me back. Other than that, I’m super happy with my riding. I’m just learning this 450. Today I struggled a lot. Just the dry slick. With that much horsepower, you’ve got to ride it a lot different than a little bike. So, it showed today.”

From the FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers Team, Riordan pushed Draper and Girroir before settling for third overall. He also won the Pro 2 class.

“I started off a bit rough,” said Riordan. “On Saturday’s test one, in the first turn, I laid her down. Sort of set the tone for the day. I was able to just sneak in front of Tino there in the last test. Today, I just kept chipping away and trying to keep Tino off my ass.”

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig DeLong rode a clean race all weekend and never once hit the ground, however, he struggled to get comfortable in the North Carolina terrain.

“These things are tough for me,’ said DeLong. “I have good days and bad days. I’ll start slow on Saturday and then on Sunday I’m in a hole. I struggle at these things, I guess it’s just something I have to figure out.”

Hot off a big GNCC win, Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth struggled to a sixth on Saturday, but made up for it with a brilliant runner-up behind Girroir to leave him with fifth overall.

Mousse Elite/Husqvarna rider Jason Tino celebrated his birthday with a solid sixth overall and second place in the Pro 2 class. “This weekend was pretty similar to a round of golf,” said Tino. “A couple birdies, a couple pars, two triple bogies on the cross test today, but overall, a good weekend.

MF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s rider Brandy Richards dominated the Pro Women’s division, winning all but one test, a cross test, which was won by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede. “The cross test was tricky with it being super-slick, and the enduro test was even trickier with all the roots,” said Richards. “I think this is the first time I’ve actually felt comfortable in the enduro test, so that’s a big improvement.

Counting her cross test win combined with several other solid finishes, Steede came home in second. Third went to Ava Silvestri, while in fourth place was Carly Lee.