On The Pegs July 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 7 | Page 81
On The Pegs
During the last couple of seasons, FMF KTM
Factory Racing’s Cody Webb has established
himself as a formidable force in the Enduro
world. Indoors he’s won titles on both sides of
the Atlantic Ocean in EnduroCross and Su-
perEnduro, while outdoors he’s had podium
results at Brazil’s Red Bull Minas Riders, Italy’s
Hell’s Gate and twice at the Erzbergrodeo Red
Bull Hare Scramble. Aiming to win the most
prestigious race in Enduro, Webb only has
thoughts of victory on his mind as the 24th
edition of the event approaches.
“The Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble
is huge for me,” tells Webb. “It is the most
famous Enduro race in the world — everyone
knows how gnarly the Iron Giant is — so to
become the first American rider to actually
win it would have to rank as a career highlight
for me.”
First arriving at the Iron Giant back in 2014
with Beta Factory Racing, Webb claimed a top
10 result in his debut ride. Returning for more
in 2016 with KTM, he came better prepared
and with a greater understanding of what to
expect. Catching many of the favourites by
surprise, Cody charged his way to an emphatic
runner-up result behind winner Graham Jarvis
(Husqvarna - GB).
“In 2016 I finished as runner-up to Graham
Jarvis,” continues Webb. “It was my first po-
dium there and also the first for an American,
too. The result took me by surprise a little, but
I guess I had done my homework and was
ready.”
Now established as one of the heavy hitters
of the Erzbergrodeo Red Bull Hare Scramble,
the question was raised in 2017 as to whether
or not he could go one place better. With the
world watching live on Red Bull TV, Webb
battled with Jonny Walker (KTM - GB) for the
lead during the first half of the race. Things
were looking good, but then suddenly every-
Vol. 3 Issue 7 - July 2018
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thing ‘imploded from the inside out’ as Cody
puts it…
“I’m not sure what happened, I guess I just
wimped out,” he recalls. “I got so pumped
up that I couldn’t pull the brake lever — it
was like I imploded from the inside out. I let
Graham by on one section and then let Wade
Young by on a fire road section. I got to my
mechanic at Carl’s Dinner and stopped. I had
to take a time-out with him to try and destress
because I knew I’d get hurt if I carried on the
way I was.”
Despite the mid-race slump, he regrouped
and came back strongly for third, but ulti-
mately his shot at winning was lost. However,
mistakes are there to be learned from and
come this Sunday, June 3, he’s determined to
right the wrongs of 12 months ago.
“I was happy with third because it’s such
an exclusive podium to be on. But I’m a racer
and a competitive person, so at the same time
I was frustrated because I knew I’d let it slip
away during the middle section of the race.
This year the focus is on riding a mistake-free
race — I don’t want to be upset knowing I
could have done more.”