Yeah, hard enduro is just getting started in the US, this event is only in it's second year. Also it's a sprint race, closer to what they have in Europe than the endurance races like The Roof etc...

Also I know that Health Insurance for European riders in the US can be a problem. So there don’t seem to be as many Europeans racing here.

Much smaller field. A good friend of mine finished 35th overall and he wouldn't even place in an event like Roof of Africa.

Or at least less talented field.

The only guys I'd consider "big names" at this race were Webb and Knight. And arguably Graffunder and Ashburn, although they are only really known in the US.

Whereas a race like Roof of Africa attracts all the big names.

Just my opinion.

I think they will see a lot of red. :D

Yes, and this event was even missing several bigger name americans that are pretty capable in hard enduro including Max Gerston, Kyle Redmond, Taylor Robert, Colton Haaker, Ben Kelley & Noah Kepple.

For most Americans, to keep factory level support, they have to favor chasing championships like endurocross, hare scrambles, WORCS, H&H, GNCC etc. So when there are scheduling conflicts (or money/time is tight) guys generally pass on the hard enduros unfortunately. Hopefully as these events get bigger and get more press there will be greater incentive for these guys, and maybe some more Europeans, to show up and battle it out.

And with all due respect to Mitch, he is a phenomenal rider (he's a regular fixture at many local AZ off road races), but he's a notch behind the bigger names in US hard enduro (all of which are a few notches behind Cody Webb and the elite Europeans). The roof was his first ride on the sherco and he had some issues. He also did Erzburg this year and was only about 2 minutes from completing the course in the allotted 4 hours. I think that left him 26th overall if that gives an idea where he stacks up with the worlds best riders.

Are you talking about Max? If not, who's Mitch? Who's riding a Sherco?

No, not Max Gertson. Mitch Carvolth, he's riding a sherco this year. Check out the AMRA results, he won the championship a couple years ago and nowadays he still shows up and wins a lot of races but his main focus is Hard Enduro. He was top ten at last year's TKO and podium at the 2017 Rev-Limiter, fifth this year. I think he might have a KOM podium in the past too. He's gone overseas and done Erzburg, Sea to Sky, Megawatt, and Roof of Africa. I have no idea where he gets the funding to do all this, as he's doesn't seem to have major support, but I just listened to an interview with him on American Hard Enduro (facebook) and he said he's planning to do as many international hard enduros as possible in 2018, plus the usual ones stateside. He'll be at KOM this weekend, and he might do quite well, being that the final is 150 miles for the pros this year, and his endurance is really good.

Ah, ok. I don't know why my brain drew such a blank on Mitch. I must be getting old. :D

Just noticed Knight took 2nd at the Bassalla Enduro last week.
Great to see more podiums.

Also took 3rd at the "Tough One".