Cycle News

INTERVIEW FOUR-TIME NATIONAL ENDURO CHAMPION RUSSELL BOBBITT P64 enth-place finish. Not too bad for his first ride back. "Actually, I was quite happy with my ride in South Carolina," says Bobbitt. "I rode conservatively and after riding by myself when I was off, I wasn't really sure where I was at compared to the rest of the guys, so in South Carolina, I realized I wasn't that far off." Two weeks later, at the series finale in Indiana, Bobbitt scored a win. "I love that race in Indiana, and Mike Lafferty and I had a good battle and ended up winning it, so I was pumped about that," says Bobbitt. After spending half the year rebounding from a major injury, Bobbitt finished off the year just where he wanted to be from the start: on top. In 2015, Bobbitt hopes to add a fifth title to his resumé, which is quite extensive and unique. In fact, Bobbitt is the only rider to win a championship under both the "old" time-keep- ing rules, and the new "start con- trol" rules, which is significant. "With the old rules, there were still times we were racing as fast as possible, but with the new rules, you know straight from the get-go that it's a full-on sprint and you have to go as fast as possible everywhere," says Bobbitt. "The fastest guy is going to win, no questions asked." The rules were changed six years ago in a effort to bring more riders into the sport and it has done that with great success. It has also changed the way the racers approach a race. " THE KEY IS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH AS HARD AS YOU CAN INTO THE UNKNOWN AND AT THE SAME TIME MINIMIZE MISTAKES. " "I think it takes a rider being in the best possible fitness and hav- ing better preparation," says Bob- bitt. "The key is to be able to push as hard as you can into the un- known and at the same time mini- mize mistakes. You have to really be on the edge but still be con- scious of not making a mistake." One edge that Bobbitt feels he will have over the competition next year is that he's got an es- tablished base to work from now need him for the motivation, I have plenty of motivation on my own, but it's always good to have someone to go riding with." Once again, the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series will be Bobbitt's main focus, although he's open to riding a few extreme races in 2015, as well. "My main focus will be the na- tional enduro series with a few other races like the Tennessee Knockout. I'm looking forward to that he's bought a home with considerable riding area just out- side his back door. He also rents a room to fellow competitor Nick Fahringer, which gives the two a riding partner to compete with. "I moved up around Athens and having access to trails and a little grass track area is awesome, be- ing able to do testing right outside my door," says Bobbitt. "Not hav- ing to load up and go riding saves a lot of time. I always wanted to have a house were I could ride and when I found that house, I was actually injured and had some time to spend fixing it up. "And having Nick around, it works out great," says Bobbitt. "It's really fun because we have a friend- ly competition going between us. It helps both of us, we kind of feed off of each other. I don't feel like I riding another one of those sprint enduros, but the goal is to win another enduro title." The National Enduro Promot- er's ground recently announced its schedule for the 2015 season, and Bobbitt is excited to see two rounds in South Carolina, which is what Bobbitt considers "his neighborhood." "I really like the enduro se- ries, and I'm happy with the new schedule," says Bobbitt. "There's nothing like riding awe- some single-track at different places around the country. I like how the enduro series changes venues around the country so we are always going to new places. I like the challenge of reading new trail, and just pushing that fine line when you don't know what's up around the corner." CN

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