27.06.2016
Round 9 - GNCC Series - June 26, 2016
SNOWSHOE, W. Va. – FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell reclaimed the XC1 Pro Overall points lead on Sunday after an impressive victory at Round 9 of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series. Additionally, Westfield Powersports/KTM-Supported rider Jordan Ashburn finished 3rd in the XC1 Pro Class after three grueling hours of racing.
Taking place atop Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s Ski Village, the Snowshoe GNCC showcases a unique live-engine start, lining riders up in rows of five based off their overall position in the championship standings. Russell, the Three-Time GNCC National Champion, began on row one, while his teammate, Bobbitt, began on row four as a late addition to the series.
Russell got off to a great start aboard his KTM 350 XC-F, where he led the first row of riders into the treacherous woods of Snowshoe Mountain. With 10 seconds of time adjustment between each row, Russell experienced an early battle for the lead with Thad DuVall, who began on row two. On the opening lap, Russell made a mistake in the infamous “Howard’s Hole” section of the track, which allowed DuVall to jump into the lead on time adjustment.
From there, Russell upped his pace to reclaim the lead from DuVall and he continued to push in order to extend his lead. After the halfway mark, Russell had created a sizeable gap over Trevor Bollinger in the 2nd place position.
Russell ultimately finished two minutes ahead of 2nd place; where he went on to capture his sixth victory of the season. Russell now holds a 15-point lead in the championship standings as the GNCC Series heads into a two-month summer break.
“After I made the mistake in Howard’s Hole I was able to open the gap back up but I was hitting lappers in all the wrong spots and Trevor [Bollinger] was riding well, he kept me honest,” Russell said. “I’m happy to get the win and keep things rolling into the summer break.”
Team Manager Antti Kallonen added, “It’s great to gain back the points lead heading into the summer break. We actually have a bigger points lead than we were expecting, so that’s a bonus.”
Beginning on row four, Bobbitt got a good jump off the line aboard his KTM 250 XC-F, where he quickly made his way to the front of his start row. Unfortunately, Bobbitt and many of the riders on his start row took a wrong turn on the course, which led them into the wrong direction. Bobbitt and the others eventually rejoined the course but they lost several minutes in the process.
From there, Bobbitt pushed hard to climb his way through the pack. However, as he was making up time and positions, Bobbitt lost use of his rear brake pedal and was forced to make a stop in the pits where the crew made the repair.
Despite an unfavorable situation on lap one, Bobbitt put forth an excellent effort to salvage 11th place in the XC1 Pro Class and 19th overall for the day.
In the 10 a.m. race, FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kacy Martinez got off to a great start aboard her KTM 250 XC-F, where she led the first two laps. Unfortunately Martinez crashed while leading the race, sustaining a wrist injury that kept her from finishing the race.
Next Event: New Berlin, New York - September 11, 2016
Overall Results (XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Combined) –
1. Kailub Russell - KTM
2. Trevor Bollinger
3. Grant Baylor
4. Jordan Ashburn – KTM
5. Craig DeLong
6. Steward Baylor Jr. – KTM
7. Josh Strang
8. Benjamin Kelley
9. Vance Francis
10. Ryan Sipes
Results WXC Class
1. Becca Sheets
2. Rachel Gutish – KTM
3. Brooke Cosner
4. Jamie Wells
5. Allie Spurgeon – KTM
Overall Point Standings
1. Kailub Russell (226)
2. Josh Strang (211)
3. Trevor Bollinger (132)
4. Jordan Ashburn (123)
5. Craig DeLong (109)
6. Chris Bach (105)
7. Grant Baylor (102)
8. Steward Baylor Jr. (98)
9. Ricky Russell (89)
10. Thad DuVall (84)
Overall Point Standings WXC
1. Becca Sheets (170)
2. Brooke Cosner (162)
3. Kacy Martinez (150)
###