Josh Strang lays claim to the final AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country win of the year at Ironman Raceway; Trevor Bollinger earns first career XC2 win.
While a second career AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship title may have eluded him in 2015, Austraia’s Josh Strang can lay claim to bragging rights as the series final round winner of 2015 after landing his third overall win of the year during the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Sunday.
The race hosted a strong turnout, as over 2100 riders were on hand to contest the various GNCC classes at Ironman Raceway, and when the Pros finally took to the line Sunday afternoon for the XC1/XC2 race, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn scored the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award as he got off to a quick start. However, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing-backed Strang quickly found his way to the front and stayed there for much of the 3-hour contest. The 2010 AMSOIL GNCC Champion would go on to cross the finish line with a 2-minute cushion on runner-up Ryan Sipes.
“Sipes had a crash with a lapper and I was able to further extend my lead,” Strang said. “It was really fun riding with those guys early on, and overall it was a good day and a good way to end the year.”
Strang also took a moment to wish good luck to Japanese competitor Takeshi [Koikeda], who has spent the past few seasons contesting the AMSOIL GNCC Series in America but will be heading back to Japan at the end of November.
“It’s been good to have him here, and it’s a shame to see him go,” Strang said. “I hope he had a good time over here, and good luck in whatever he goes on to do.”
AirGroup/Rockstar Energy/Husqvarnas’s Sipes struggled with lappers during the Ironman GNCC, and he ultimately finished second, but the 2015 ISDE Individual Champion may be already thinking about 2016.
“I’m committed to this series, and having fun with it,” Sipes said. “I’m getting better. We’ve still got a little ways to go, but we’re getting close. I couldn’t stay off the ground today, and the fifth time I went down today I got together with a lapper pretty hard and our bikes were tangled up. I was for sure that I had the speed to win today. I just need to stay off the ground.”
Ashburn’s fast start paid off handsomely, as he finished third overall.
“This season has been rough compared to last year,” Ashburn said. “We struggled early on and finally got everything dialed in over summer break. I worked hard all break and the results really proved that.”
DirtWise/Maxxis/KLIM’s Jason Thomas barely edged out his fellow competitors to land the $100 Hot Cams XC2 Holeshot Award, and that seemed to set the stage for an XC2 finale that would be hotly contested. When all was said and done, E&H Honda’s Trevor Bollinger landed his first XC2 win of the season, followed by Thomas and Factory Beta’s Jesse Groemm in third.
“I was actually contemplating [not] racing next year, and I’m sure I’ll be back now,” Bollinger said afterward. “My plan is to stay in XC2 and try for the championship in 2016.”
In the premier women’s class, Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez added another class win, with N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Becca Sheets second and Indiana native Rachel Gutish third.
2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
AMSOIL Ironman GNCC
Ironman Raceway
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Results: November 1, 2015 (Round 13 of 13)
XC1
1. Josh Strang-Hus
2. Ryan Sipes-Hus
3. Jordan Ashburn-Yam
4. Steward Baylor Jr.-KTM
5. Chris Bach-Hon
6. Grant Baylor-Yam
7. Cory Buttrick-Bet
8. Takeshi Koikeda-Hon
9. Chris Douglas-Suz
10. Travis Coy-KTM
2015 AMSOIL GNCC National Championship Points Standings (After 13 of 13 rounds)
1. Kailub Russell-283
2. Grant Baylor-237
3. Josh Strang-226
4. Chris Bach-207
5. Thad Duvall-200
6. Ryan Sipes-195
7. Jordan Ashburn-183
8. Jason Thomas-160
9. Ricky Russell-113
10. Trevor Bollinger-112
XC2
1. Trevor Bollinger-Hon
2. Jason Thomas-KTM
3. Jesse Groemm-Bet
4. Craig Delong-Hus
5. Michael Witkowski-KTM
6. Ricky Russell-Yam
7. Trevor Barrett-Hus
8. Samuel Evans-Yam
9. Austin Lee-Yam
10. Callan May-Yam
2015 AMSOIL GNCC XC2 Class Points Standings (After 13 of 13 rounds
1. Jason Thomas-332
2. Ricky Russell-230
3. Trevor Bollinger-224
4. Craig Delong-193
5. Nick Davis-183
6. Austin Lee-154
7. Tegan Temple-146
8. Layne Michael-142
9. Jessee Groemm-129
10. Callan May-127
Your Privacy Choices