Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Josh Strang gets on a roll with a win at the inaugural Maxxis Cannonball GNCC in Sparta, Georgia; JCR/Honda’s Trevor Bollinger also undefeated in XC2.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Josh Strang scored his second overall win and XC1 class win in as many rounds during round two of the 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC), the inaugural Cannonball GNCC in Sparta, Georgia, Sunday.
Strang battled early in the race with the defending AMSOIL GNCC number one plate holder, FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell, who grabbed the $125 All Balls Racing XC1 Pro Holeshot Award and held the lead through the first lap before Strang came up to challenge him. Russell and Strang then swapped the lead non lap two before Russell was able to pull away to a 15-second lead, which he would hold for much of the race. However, Strang didn’t quit, and he began to gain on Russell with two laps to go and catch the champ with one lap to go. Just after the pro pit, Russell made a small bobble, and Strang was able capitalize on the mistake, take the lead and claim the Cannonball GNCC win.
“On the third lap I got caught up in a vine, and that put me back a little,” Strang said. “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 as he had to be attended to by the GNCC medical crew after suffering from severe dehydration.
Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Racing Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall was running in third place until he ran out of gas on lap four. That dropped him from podium contention and instigated a battle between FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Russell Bobbitt and SRT/KTM/Kenda Tires’ Steward Baylor. The battle raged on the last lap, with Baylor outrunning Bobbitt for the final podium spot. It was the first time that Baylor had been on a GNCC podium in four years, and all of the previous ones were earned in the XC2 class. This was Steward Baylor’s first XC1 podium visit.
“I’ve had my fair share of injuries and it’s nice to finally show my competitors that I can run with them,” Baylor said. “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 finished fourth, ahead of Lojak Cycle Sales/JTR OffRoad’s Jason Thomas.
JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing’s Trevor Bollinger had another impressive ride in the XC2 Pro Lites division, taking the class win and finishing third overall on adjusted time. Beta USA/FLY Racing/Kenda Tires-backed Jesse Groemm finished second in the XC2 class, and Coastal Racing/Husqvarna’s Layne Michael finished third.
“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,” Bollinger said. “I’ve worked really hard this winter, and it feels good to be able to get my team on the overall podium.”
FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kacy Martinez once again collected 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.
2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Sparta, Georgia
Results: March 13, 2016 (Round 2 of 13)
XC1 Pro
1. Josh Strang-Hus
2. Kailub Russell-KTM
3. Steward Baylor-KTM
4. Russell Bobbitt-KTM
5. Jason Thomas-Yam
6. Ryan Sipes-Hus
7. Daniel Milner-Yam
8. Thad Duvall-Hus
9. Ricky Russell-Suz
10. Grant Baylor-Yam
2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship Series Points Standings (after 2 of 13 rounds)*
1. Josh Strang-60/2 wins
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
1. Trevor Bollinger-Hon
2. Jesse Groemm-Bet
3. Layne Michael-Hus
4. Tegan Temple-Bet
5. Craig Delong-Hus
6. Ben Kelley-KTM
7. Evan Smith-KTM
8. Trevor Barrett-Hus
9. Austin Lee-Yam
10. Zack Hayes-KTM
XC2 Pro Lites Class Standings (after 2 of 13 rounds)
1. Trevor Bollinger-60/2 wins
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
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