Jonny Walker finished fifth at the Red Bull Tennessee Knockout after progressing through all three stages of Sunday’s knockout racing. Riding the Triumph Factory Racing TF 450-E, he reached the 20-rider final, recovered from an early crash and spent much of the race running in fourth before a late mistake dropped him one place.

The route to the final

Walker’s weekend began on Saturday evening with the Pro Hot-Lap. He set the eighth-fastest time on the pro short course, which determined his starting position for Sunday’s opening Knockout Race. He then completed the demanding pro long course in fourth place, doing enough to progress to the second stage.

For Knockout Race Two, the riders were divided into five groups of six. Walker finished third in his group and secured one of the 20 places in the Final. Starting from the third row, he crashed early and dropped down the order, but gradually worked his way back towards the front of the field.

The Final lasted 45 minutes. Walker said a hydration-pack malfunction during the second race led him to ride more cautiously because he knew the Final would demand further effort. During the Final he fell again in the river. He also mistook the white flag for the final lap and had to push again after realising that one more lap remained.

Walker eventually moved up to fourth and stayed there for much of the race. A mistake on the final hill, however, cost him fourth place shortly before the finish. He completed eight laps, matching the lap total of all four riders ahead of him.

Manuel Lettenbichler won the Final on a KTM, ahead of Trystan Hart on another KTM and Husqvarna rider Billy Bolt. Eddie Karlsson finished fourth on a Stark. Walker called his performance a solid run, said he enjoyed the race and added that the TF 450-E worked very well. In his comments, he also indicated that Triumph Factory Racing intends to return to the event next year.