Groemm competes in a national Enduro race in Greensboro, Ga., recently.
Jesse Groemm named Enduro Rookie of the Year
JESSE GROEMM, A second-year apprentice with Local 28 (Newark, N.J.) made quite a splash in the world of cross-country motorcycle racing last year. Not only was he named Enduro Rookie of the Year, he also had the honor of representing the United States in the International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE) championship held in Germany last September. His U.S. Junior Trophy Team (younger than 24) won third place in a field of 32 teams.
Groemm is the stepson of L-28 member Ed “Skeeter” Allegar, an avid recreational motor bike rider.
“I’m really proud of Jesse’s achievements,” Allegar said. “He’s a great competitor and a good Boilermaker.”
Groemm began riding dirt bikes at age six. By age 12, he had begun youth racing, at 16 he was competing as an amateur, and at 19 he began racing professionally around the country. His opportunity to race in the ISDE championship came when one of the U.S. riders was injured.
“I had one week to get ready,” he recalled. “I had to bring six sets of riding clothes, because there was no place to wash your laundry.”
His racing skills have caught the attention of the AmPro Yamaha Factory Off-Road Team. The organization recently invited Groemm to represent them in 2013. Riding for Yamaha will mean all of his racing expenses are covered.
“It’s like a dream come true,” he said.
