Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Continue to Occupy the Top Spots at GNCC
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 | 9:00 AM
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Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Continue to
Occupy the Top Spots at GNCC  |
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 Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Continue to Occupy the Top Spots at GNCC Irvine, Calif. - Kawasaki's Paul Whibley earned his second win of the season with teammate Jimmy Jarrett coming across the finish right behind him, making it Kawasaki's second 1-2 finish of the season at sixth round of the GNCC series in Lafayette, Tenn. XC2 rider Scott Watkins, who was coming off a win at the previous round, found his way back to the podium to finish second in the class and fourth overall. The muddy conditions didn't make it easy on the riders who had to stop multiple times for fresh gloves and goggles. |
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 Muddy Win With over two inches of rain covering the course, the riders were in for a muddy, sloppy race. When the flag dropped, Whibley got a good jump on the pack and eventually settled into third. He took the lead early on, but the mud became a factor making it hard to see. After he removed his goggles, he was able to push hard and retake the lead. He pulled a small gap before the fuel stop and was able to finish the day with his second win in the series."The course was pretty good," said Whibley. "They had a rocky waterfall and a lot of mud holes and ruts. It was fun." |
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 Jarrett's Podium Streak Jarrett was ready to get down and dirty, taking the holeshot at the start. Although Whibley quickly moved into the lead, Jarrett was able to stay in the hunt and finished a close second. Jarrett's 2009 season on the KXTM450F has rekindled his ability for solid podium finishes, with three second-place finishes so far this season. |
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 Points Leader Whibley's consistent finishes have been able to keep him atop of the point standings for the XC1 class. He now sits nine points ahead of second."It's great to have the points lead," said Whibley. "Now I just have to keep maintaining the speed and results. There are a lot of races left." |
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 Watkins Keeps Pushing After a spectacular win at the fifth round two weeks ago, Watkins was able to conquer the wet and muddy conditions once again as he made another trip back to the podium. He narrowly missed the holeshot and was battling with several riders for the top spot. Along with his podium finish in the XC2 class, Watkins finished an impressive fourth overall."The XC2 class this year is extremely stacked," said Watkins. "Even with the conditions, everyone was going really fast. I was able to key off the first-place rider and keep up my speed. It was fun as long as you were able to stop for fresh gloves and goggles." |
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 On Top Once Again Whibley has recently become familiar with the top step of the podium, winning several races over the past month at the OMA Nationals, Mid-east Hare Scrambles and now his second GNCC. He looks to go after his second OMA National win this weekend in Kentucky. |
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 Results Grand National Cross Country SeriesThe Titan- Lafayette, Tenn. May 3, 2009 XC1 Results 1. PAUL WHIBLEY, NEW ZEALAND, KAWASAKI 2. JIMMY JARRETT, SALEM, OHIO, KAWASAKI 3. Charles Mullins, Hamilton, Ohio, Suzuki 4. Josh Strang, Hickory, N.C., Suzuki 5. Barry Hawk, Jr., Smithfield, Pa. Yamha 6. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM 7. Jason Raines, Belfair, Wash., Yamaha 8. Glenn Kearney, Antioch, Calif., HSQ 9. Thad Duvall, Williamstown, W.V., Yamaha 10. Jesse Robinson, Connelly Spring, N.C., Husaberg XC2 Pro Lites Results 1. Kailub Russell, Kingston, Ohio, KTM 2. SCOTT WATKINS, LEETONIA, OHIO, KAWASAKI 3. Cory Buttrick, Logan, Ohio, KTM 4. Jason Thomas, United Kingdom, Yamaha 5. Jake Korn, Brookeline, N.H., KTM 6. ROBERY SANTHESON, PLYMOUTH, MASS., KAWASAKI 7. Josh Weisenfels, Fort Smith, Ark., Yamaha 8. Brian Lawson, Adams, Mass., Yamaha 9. ANDREW MATUSEK, FAYETTEVILLE, GA., KAWASAKI 10. Eric Bailey, King George, Va., KTM |