This article was originally published in the January 2018 issue of Dirt Rider.
One of the most difficult obstacles on an EnduroCross track is the matrix. The matrix is a series of logs unevenly spaced in a row, and every EnduroCross racer has got been caught up in and/or crashed in the matrix at some point or another in their career. The matrix can be likened to a Supercross rhythm section in the way that riders can jump their way through it using one log to launch off of and another to land on. One rider who has mastered the matrix, and every other obstacle on an EnduroCross track for that matter, is FMF KTM Red Bull Racing’s Cody Webb. Webb’s list of credentials, just to name a few, are three-time AMA EnduroCross champion, 2010 AMA MotoTrials National Champion, and 2018 SuperEnduro World Champion. We paid a visit to Webb’s private EnduroCross track in Northern California to pick his brain about how to jump through the matrix, or in this particular case, triple through it.
Tip: It's tricky to stay straight in this Matrix because it's all rutted in the dirt between the logs. At races, they use real trees so there's a lot of knots and bumps that stick out, so I just try and avoid hitting those with my tire… As for [hitting] the bark or slick log under the bark, I know in the stadiums it doesn't look like any line is better than the other from the seats, but sections of the log will be smaller that you hit or have less undercut; or maybe there will be just like a hair more dirt on one side or the other, so I'll hit the greasy spot if I need to just stay lower or be able to have a smoother hit on the log.
