We last saw Cory Graffunder, Canadian No 1 plate holder in Enduro, at this year’s Erzbergrodeo, the incredibly difficult Extreme Enduro held in an open pit mine in central Austria. Cory finished fifth overall on a loaner KTM, right amongst the factory sponsored professional riders.


We spoke with him after the race and agreed that we would speak again a few weeks later, at the first round of the Canadian Enduro Championship, held in Alberta near his home. Only he disappeared into the bowels of Europe, no-showed at the Canadian opener, and landed back in Canada this week.

Here is what happened.

Moto123 – When we last saw you, you had just finished 5th at Erzberg and were coming home soon. What happened?

Cory Graffunder – I went to see Winni Kerschlager, the head of racing for KTM Europe, and he was impressed with my result. In fact, he contacted the manager of the KTM Enduro team for Italy, and they agreed to lend me a bike for the next race. I rearranged my flights and went training for that “audition”.

123 – Just like that. What about logistics and paperwork?

CG - All I had to do was show up and they would take care of the bike. The license was a different issue, as I could not get an international racing licence from the CMA in time to register and race with the other racers.

123 – All dressed up and no race to go?

CG – Not exactly, as the Italian organizers and the team allowed me to run the full course ahead of the other racers, kind of like a track opener. They timed me but did not include me in the results.

123 – So you got to measure yourself against these guys anyway?

CG – Ya, and it was tough. They run on very different surfaces than us, like grass for the Motocross test, a short and extremely tough Xtreme Enduro course that was covered in three minutes, and a fast, I mean really fast Enduro surface, wet bedrock. That was a dangerous part of the event, and the locals complained to the organizers about it.

123 – And how did it go for you?

CG – My times in the Moto portion were very close to the front runners, I was in the top 10% in the Enduro portion, but had my troubles in the Xtreme Enduro portion.

123 – So what now?

CG – I need to step up a level in Xtreme Enduro, train harder, win more races here and in the US, and then go back there and beat them on their turf. That is the only way for me to get the factory ride I want. I have my own Xtreme Enduro track and I will make it more difficult so I am ready for the next time I go over there.

The kid has incredible talent, and here’s to him getting that magic ride – he and the family deserve it!





Photo Credit : Marc Cantin