It was the last race of the season for the Yukon Cross Country Motorcycle Association (YCCMA) which meant it was championship Sunday at the track off Robert Service Way.

The YCCMA had held two prior events, Harescramble I and an Enduro-X race, earlier in the summer before the final Harescramble II. For riders who competed in all three events, their points were accumulated to see who would be named champion of their respective class.

For the YCCMA and the riders, it was the first race held at Robert Service Way. Organizer and racer Mike Beaman said the racing mixed many disciplines including trails MX and Enduro-X.

“Everyone was excited to try something new,” said Beaman. “The teens really liked the motocross section. We got a lot of good feedback about it and are excited to do more races there.”

The new trail plus the layout of the terrain made the races wide open.

“The trails are designed so the best rider wins, not the fastest bike,” said Beaman.

The A-riders course took them into the forested area and up steep uphills where they had to deal with the natural elements like logs and stones. In the motocross portion of the race, they rode over tires and through a large rock pit.

The top riders rode three-kilometres.

“It’s not a super-fast race you don’t get out of third gear,” said Beaman. “It is tight single track racing and you have to find the fastest line.”

The harescramble had all the classes of riders race for a set amount of time. The times varied between classes - the A-riders competed for two-hours, the young athletes rode for 20 minutes.

The winner was determined by how many laps were accomplished in the time-frame. Beaman said being on the motorcycle for that long gets physically demanding.

“It is definitely an endurance type of racing,” said Beaman. “If you’re fit you can last longer. The motorcycle can be real heavy if you are laying it down or working against the bike.

“You save energy by letting the bike do the work and by letting it become an extension of you. That takes years of practice.”

As the engines roared and the smell of gas filled the air the many spectators began to cheer on their rider. Beaman said the YCCMA is focused on continuing to make the events family-oriented.

The harescramble had a race for everyone. For the second time this year, there was a ladies class, as well, there was an all-girls youth class.

“It’s a nice way for them to go out and have some fun with their peers,” said Beaman. “It’s a little less aggressive than if they raced with boys and the hope is that it gets them into the sport.”

Beaman also noted that the young riders and the teens don’t hesitate to speak to the more experienced riders to get some helpful pointers.

Results from Harescramble II:

Max Labelle got the most laps in during the Junior C race. Royce Thomas was right behind and Carter Coates came third.

The Intermediate C race was won by Hunter Grant with Sam Adams and KJ Raymond following close behind.

Sophie Hadley won the Intermediate C Girls class. Mia Raymond and Shaila Tanner got the other two podium finishes.

David Germain, Memphis Nolan and Daniel Koehl were the top three Junior B riders in that order. Amanda McCarthy beat out Antje Beaman and Melanie Mihoc for the Ladies B prize.

Clayton Hadley completed the most laps in the Sportsman B category. Murray Arsenault came second and Brad Wilson third.

Intermediate B was won by Brendan Germain and was followed by Cameron Geier and Colby Hadley. Terje Kristensen got the Expert B title with Ethan Davy and Jason Adams following.

Neil Ryckman was the Intermediate A champion. Frank Smith and Chris Lane came second and third.

The Expert A champion was Sam Schirmer who beat out Julien Revel and Dewan Houde. 2019 YCCMA Enduro Championship final results:

Thomas’ accumulated score across the three races put him atop the Junior C class followed by Labelle and Coates.

Grant was the season’s top Intermediate C rider. Raymond was second and Colton Coates third. Sophie Hadley was the girls’ overall winner followed by Leah Muir and Quinn Brown.

The Junior B winner was Casey Hadley. Joel Lafreniere was second and Nolan third. Melanie Mihoc’s point total put her in first in Ladies B. Amanda McCarthy followed and Antje Beaman rounded out the top three.

Clayton Hadley was the Sportsman B winner. Brad Wilson and Murray Arsenault were the next top point-getters. Cameron Geier got the Intermediate B crown beating out Ryder Brulotte and Colby Hadley.

A couple of Davys got the top two spots in Expert B. Ethan edged out Jarrid while Jason Adams came third.

Cole Beaman reigns atop the Intermediate A class. Ryckman and Smith came second and third respectively.

The Expert A top three mirrored the Harescramble II results. Schirmer came first followed by Revel and Houde.