Graffunder survives XTINCTION

From Husaberg

The inaugural edition of XTINCTION, Canada’s First Extreme Hard Enduro, is in the books and proved to be an event ready to accommodate world class competition.

Starting with a gnarly two-hour qualifier through the Alberta Badlands, competitors were faced with extreme challenges fit to expire several of them. As if the course the Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) had prepared was not already enough of a challenge, Mother Nature came calling with a steady downpour, making the course nearly impassable.

Thirty competitors were able to complete the qualifying session and were fortunate enough to be greeted with sunny skies for the XTINCTION Showdown. They were tasked with another two hours in the saddle.

Canadian off-road phenom Cory Graffunder and American rival Kyle Redmond put on a spectacular show and battled to the end, with Graffunder squeaking out the win and taking home a healthy part of the $5000 purse.

Shane Cuthbertson of CGRT aboard his Husaberg FX 450 qualified second behind Graffunder but got his bike tangled up in one of the plastic fences in the first lap of the main race after a good start and lost precious time and positions. After he got going again he put his head down and stormed through the field but the top was already out of reach so he had to settle for sixth position.

CGRT young gun Cole Dobovich (16) made a great debut in Extreme Enduro racing on his FX 450, considering he usually doesn't get to ride long and steep up- and downhills in his home area, and finished a respectable 22nd.

Xtinction Official Results
1) Cory Graffunder (Husqvarna)
2) Kyle Redmond (KTM)
3) Jason Schrage (Honda)
4) Julien Cerny (KTM)
5) Geoff Nelson (KTM)
6) Shane Cuthbertson (Husaberg)
7) Ben Rego (Yamaha)
8) Paul Petrin (KTM)
9) Noel Bolso (KTM)
10) Jared Thomas (KTM)