GNCC Racing

Kailub Russell Secures Fourth Consecutive Victory at the Limestone 100 GNCC

Tuesday, May 17, 2016 | 12:00 PM

FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kailub Russell captured his fourth consecutive victory of the season on Sunday at Round 6 of the 2016 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in Springville, Indiana. After three grueling hours of battle, Russell executed an impressive last-lap pass on Josh Strang to ultimately secure the lead just moments before the checkered flag.

Kailub Russell 
Kailub Russell  Photo: Courtesy of KTM

The Limestone GNCC saw heavy rainfall throughout the day on Saturday, making for muddy conditions on Sunday afternoon. In the XC1 Pro race, Russell got a decent jump off the line but he soon came together with Josh Strang on the slick off-camber straight-away, where he fell back to a mid-pack start. Russell quickly bounced back and made his way up to the front, where he engaged in a four-way battle for the lead with Thad DuVall, Josh Strang and Jordan Ashburn.

The front-runners swapped the lead several times throughout the three-hour race, with three different riders leading the way during the last three laps. With his eyes set on the lead position, Russell made a few mistakes late in the race that kept him in the 2nd place position heading into the final lap of racing.

Russell manage to make a last lap pass on Strang to earn the win in Indiana. 
Russell manage to make a last lap pass on Strang to earn the win in Indiana.  Photo: Courtesy of KTM

As the white flag flew it was Strang who led the way, followed closely by Russell and DuVall but a quick pit stop then allowed DuVall to jump out front with the checkered flag in sight. However, things quickly changed as Strang reclaimed the lead with Russell on his tail heading into the final moments of the race. With about one mile left to go, Russell made a spectacular pass on Strang to reclaim the lead and ultimately earn his fourth consecutive victory this season.

“Coming into the last lap and the finish area I was almost settling for second because there was nowhere to pass, but Josh took a different line than I did and I got a good drive and good traction to get around the outside.”

Russell added, “It was a really tough day – the track was gnarly but it was fun and challenging,” Russell said. “It was really hard to lead, it was much easier to follow but those are the ones that are the most fun to race!”

After running into an issue, Martinez charged her way back to a 7th place finish at round six. 
After running into an issue, Martinez charged her way back to a 7th place finish at round six.  Photo: Courtesy of KTM

In the 10 a.m. race, FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kacy Martinez got a good jump off the line and grabbed the lead after the first corner. Unfortunately due to the rough track conditions and slick rocks, Martinez got hung up and fell back to 3rd on lap two before making her way back into the 2nd place position.

Martinez then ran into an issue when she stalled the bike and couldn’t get it started, where she sat for about 40 minutes. After falling outside of the top ten, Martinez bounced back and charged her way into 7th place, where she salvaged some championship points for the day.

Russell earned his fourth consecutive win this past weekend. 
Russell earned his fourth consecutive win this past weekend.  Photo: Courtesy of KTM

Next Event: Millfield, OH – May 29, 2016

Overall Results (XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Combined) – 

1. Kailub Russell – KTM

2. Josh Strang

3. Thad DuVall

4. Jordan Ashburn – KTM

5. Chris Bach

6. Trevor Bollinger

7. Craig DeLong

8. Benjamin Kelley

9. Joshua Toth

10. Daniel Milner

Results WXC Class

1. Brooke Cosner

2. Tayla Jones

3. Becca Sheets

4. Sarah Baldwin

5. Allie Spurgeon – KTM

6. Samantha Steiner

7. Kacy Martinez – KTM

Overall Point Standings

1. Kailub Russell (166)

2. Josh Strang (142)

3. Chris Bach (105)

4. Jordan Ashburn (84)

5. Daniel Milner (80)

6. Trevor Bollinger (77)

7. Ryan Sipes (66)

8. Craig DeLong (65)

9. Steward Baylor Jr. (62)

10. Thad DuVall (53)

Overall Point Standings WXC

1. Becca Sheets (112)

2. Brooke Cosner (109)

3. Kacy Martinez (100)