Trystan Hart Launches U.S. Hard Enduro Title Defense with King of the Motos Victory

MURRIETA, CA – January 2, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) –  FMF KTM Factory Racing’s defending AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Champion Trystan Hart opened the 2026 season with victory at the weekend’s King of the Motos, while Sunday also saw Dante Oliveira begin his National Hare & Hound Series title defense in winning form by claiming P1 at the opening round in Lucerne Valley, California.

U.S. HARD ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 1

Already a five-time U.S. Hard Enduro Champion, Trystan Hart entered King of the Motos in Johnson Valley, California, chasing a fourth-career victory at the event and a strong start to his 2026 Pro Class title defense.

The Canadian delivered across the weekend, guiding his KTM 300 XC to victory in Saturday’s Pro Shootout, before backing it up with a win in Sunday’s main race and posting a combined time of 2:38:03.

Hart was consistent in the opening round despite some minor mishaps on his way to a convincing win, but it was otherwise smooth sailing for the number one plate-holder and FMF KTM Factory Racing at Round 1 of the new season.

Trystan Hart: “King of the Motos started well with the Pro Shootout win, which was fun and quite short – I just edged out Cody [Webb] by less than one second. Then, for the main race, which was two long laps and three short laps, I got off to a really good start and then pushed as hard as I could. Honestly, I didn’t make any navigational errors, and rode really well aside from a couple of small crashes, but yeah, all-in-all it was good! It feels nice to start 2026 in this way alongside the team.”

Pro Class Results

1. Trystan Hart, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Ryder LeBlond, Husqvarna
3. James Flynn, Beta

NATIONAL HARE & HOUND SERIES – ROUND 1

FMF KTM Factory Racing was also on track at Round 1 of the AMA National Hare & Hound Series in Lucerne Valley with Dante Oliveira, who raced to a season-opening victory onboard his KTM 450 XC-F.

Dusty Californian conditions meant there was a strong emphasis on earning the all-important holeshot, which Oliveira did, as the reigning NHHA number one controlled the race from the head of the field.

In what was a typically strong outing, the 25-year-old recorded an overall finishing time of 2:18:27, claiming victory and beginning his title defense in the best possible way. Round 2 of the series will take place in Lovelock, Nevada, next month.

Dante Oliveira: “It was a super-good day for me today. I tried to get into the lead early because of how dusty the conditions were – which we were able to do – and then I was able to control the race from there. A day like today, you need to get the holeshot, which we did and I felt good charging from there. The bike felt awesome and I am getting more and more sharp in the NHHA style of racing, so a big thank you to my team for helping me feel comfortable out here in the desert.”

Pro Class Results

1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Zane Roberts, Beta
3. Dalton Shirey, Kawasaki

Source: KTM North America, Inc.

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