MORGANTOWN, W.Va (March 14, 2016) - The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, continued in Sparta, Georgia for the inaugural Maxxis Cannonball GNCC. The forecasted rain was nowhere in sight creating a great day for racing, where Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray's Josh Strang came out with the overall win.
It did not take long for FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kailub Russell to make his way to the front as he grabbed the $125 All Balls Racing XC1 Pro Holeshot Award with Obermeyer/MCS Suzuki's Chris Douglas right behind him. Russell continued to lead the pack through the first lap before feeling the pressure from Strang.
The battle for first continued on the second lap as Russell and Strang swapped the lead, before Russell was able to pull a 15 second lead, which he held for majority of the race. Once the two-lap card came out Strang started slowly gaining on Russell where he was able to catch up to him by the time the white flag was thrown. Just after the pro pit, Russell stopped for a drink where he made a small bobble, Strang was able capitalize on the mistake where he took the lead and claimed the inaugural win.
XC1 Podium: (2) Kailub Russell, (1) Josh Strang, (3) Steward Baylor
Photo: Ken Hill
"On the third lap I got caught up in a vine and that put me back a little," said Strang. "I had to ride pretty hard to catch back up and I was able to make the pass and put a little gap on him after Russell stalled in the pits. It was a fun race and it's good to get another win."
Russell was unable to make the podium presentation due to being attended to by the medical crew where he suffered from dehydration.
Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Racing Husqvarna's Thad Duvall was running in the third place position until he ran out of gas on the fourth lap. Duvall would end up finishing the race eighth in XC1 Pro and 10th overall.
After Thad dropped from podium contention, the third place position was opened where FMF/KTM Factory Racing Russell Bobbitt and SRT/KTM/Kenda Tires' Steward Baylor would battle on the last lap. The biggest surprise of the day was Baylor taking the final podium position. It has been four years since his last appearance and this finish marks his first XC1 Pro podium.
Steward Baylor captured his first ever XC1 podium with third in XC1 Pro and fourth overall.
Photo: Ken Hill
"I've had my fair share of injuries and it's nice to finally show my competitors that I can run with them," said Baylor. "I wasn't the fastest guy on the track, but I felt strong and consistent and that paid off and got me on the podium."
Georgia native Bobbitt placed fourth, and Lojak Cycle Sales/JTR OffRoad's Jason Thomas had a standout performance with a fifth place overall. After suffering from a bad start, Coastal Racing/Rockstar/Husqvarna's Ryan Sipes worked his way back up to seventh overall and N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha's Daniel Milner finished ninth overall.
In the XC2 Pro Lites division JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing's Trevor Bollinger had an impressive ride finishing third overall on adjusted time ahead of many of the XC1 Pro riders. Bollinger lead the rest of the XC2 Pro Lites class by almost two minutes. Beta USA/FLY Racing/Kenda Tires-backed Jesse Groemm made his first podium appearance of the season second in class, and Coastal Racing/Husqvarna's Layne Michael rounded out the top three.
XC2 Podium: (2) Jesse Groemm, (1) Trevor Bollinger, (3) Layne Michael
Photo: Ken Hill
"Last year I wasn't sure if I could race this season, but luckily JCR Honda picked me up and Johnny had faith in me," said Bollinger. "I've worked really hard this winter and it feels good to be able to get my team on the overall podium."
Triangle Cycles/APE Garphics/Boyesen's Chris Venditti in a hard fought performance to capture the $125 American Kargo Top Amateur Award with 22nd overall and a big victory in the 250 A class.
Chris Venditti earned top amateur honors with his 22nd overall finish.
Photo: Ken Hill
The 8 a.m. Youth Race started the day with an intense battle for the overall podium, in the end the podium consisted of competitors from both the Super Mini Sr. (14-15) and Super Mini Jr. (12-13) divisions. Maryland's Randall Ervin claimed the center spot on the box with Zack Davidson and Silas Powers rounding out the podium in second and third.
FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kacy Martinez continued her dominance claiming both the overall and WXC win in the 10 a.m. race. She was followed by FLY Racing/Maxxis/Seat Concepts/Yamaha's Becca Sheets, and Super Senior A (45+) competitor Vance Earl. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Racing Husqvarna's Sarah Baldwin finished just off the overall podium, but took home third in the WXC division.
Kacy Martinez topped the podium in WXC followed by Becca Sheets and Sarah Baldwin.
Photo: Ken Hill
The 1 p.m. Pro race was broadcast LIVE in its entirety via Racer TV. To view the archived footage please click HERE.
For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCCLIVE.
Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Sparta, Georgia
Round 2 of 13
Sunday, March 13
XC1 Pro Event Results
1. Josh Strang (HSQ)
2. Kailub Russell (KTM)
3. Steward Baylor (KTM)
4. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
5. Jason Thomas (YAM)
6. Ryan Sipes (HSQ)
7. Daniel Milner (YAM)
8. Thad Duvall (HSQ)
9. Ricky Russell (SUZ)
10. Grant Baylor (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings
1. Josh Strang (60)
2. Kailub Russell (46)
3. Daniel Milner (37)
4. Trevor Bollinger (33)
5. Ryan Sipes (30)
6. Steward Baylor Jr. (29)
7. Chris Bach (25)
8. Grant Baylor (24)
9. Jesse Groemm (20)
10. Ricky Russell (20)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Pro Lites Event Results
1. Trevor Bollinger (HON)
2. Jesse Groemm (BET)
3. Layne Michael (HSQ)
4. Tegan Temple (BET)
5. Craig Delong (HSQ)
6. Ben Kelley (KTM)
7. Evan Smith (KTM)
8. Trevor Barrett (HSQ)
9. Austin Lee (YAM)
10. Zack Hayes (KTM)
XC2 Pro Lites Series Standings:
1. Trevor Bollinger (60)
2. Tegan Temple (43)
3. Jesse Groemm (43)
4. Craig Delong (37)
5. Ben Kelley (29)
6. Zack Hayes (27)
7. Trevor Barrett (24)
8. Layne Michael (22)
9. Sam Evans (20)
10. Austin Lee (19)
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,000 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
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