Run in the mountains of West Virginia, the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC has been nicknamed “America’s Toughest Race,” but reigning AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Champion Kailub Russell was once again just as tough as he collected his sixth win of the 2016 AMSOIL GNCC season at the race.
Russell was once again the class of the XC1 Pro class as he pulled clear of the field off the start and held the lead through the first lap. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team’s Thad DuVall was third by then, and he kept advancing on Russell before taking the lead away from the champion on adjusted time during lap two after having started from the second row. DuVall and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Josh Strang caught Russell on lap three, and the trio ran within seconds of each other until Strang dropped off the pace. However, the lead picture quickly became crowded again when Westfield Powersports KTM’s Jordan Ashburn and N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Grant Baylor caught Russell and DuVall. However, DuVall then experienced a mechanical issue with two laps remaining, causing him to drop out of the lead battle.
XC2 Pro Lites class leader Trevor Bollinger was enjoying a strong race after getting a front row starting position, and he was able to catch Russell near the halfway point of the race, but Russell picked up the pace again and wound up winning by over 2 minutes. Bollinger came through the finish line with an excellent runner-up overall finish as well as the XC2 Pro Lites class win. Baylor finished third and was second in XC1 Pro.
The 2016 AMSOIL GNCC Series now heads into a two and a half month-long summer break, resuming action with the 12th Annual Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, New York, September 10-11.
2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Results: June 26, 2016 (Round 9 of 13)
XC1 Pro
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Grant Baylor-Yam
3. Jordan Ashburn-KTM
4. Steward Baylor Jr.-KTM
5. Josh Strang-Hus
6. Ryan Sipes-Hus
7. Ricky Russell-Suz
8. Cory Buttrick-KTM
9. Scott Grills-Kaw
10. Chris Douglas-Sus
2016 AMSOIL GNCC National Championship Standings (after 9 of 13 rounds)*
1. Kailub Russell-226/6 wins
2. Josh Strang-211/3 wins
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
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Pro Lites
1. Trevor Bollinger-Hon
2. Craig Delong-Hus
3. Benjamin Kelley-KTM
4. Vance Francis-Hon
5. Jesse Groemm-KTM
6. Joshua Toth-KTM
7. Layne Michael-Hus
8. Samuel Evans-Yam
9. Luke Parson-Hus
10. Zack Hayes-KTM
2016 AMSOIL GNCC XC2 Pro Lites Series Points Standings (after 9 of 12 rounds)
1. Trevor Bollinger-231
2. Craig Delong-202
3. Jesse Groemm-158
4. Layne Michael-155
5. Benjamin Kelley-130
6. Joshua Toth-105
7. Trevor Barrett-101
8. Samuel Evans-97
9. Vance Francis-95
10. Tegan Temple-93
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