KTM Race Report: Russell Wins Mountaineer Run GNCC

Factory FMF/KTM rider Kailub Russell led wire-to-wire to take the victory at the Mountaineer Run, the seventh round of the GNCC Series. His teammate and current point leader, Charlie Mullins, finished 2^nd overall.

The two KTM riders led the pack around the first corner of the dry and rocky 3-hour race with Russell earning the holeshot and Mullins taking the runner-up spot.

Russell got the holeshot, and ran in the lead position until the end Photo: Ken Hill

“I tried to sprint the first three miles because I wasn’t sure who was behind me and wanted to get a gap,” stated Russell. “Once I saw it was Charlie (Mullins), I was able to pace myself and then sprinted again once we got into lappers.”

Russell continued, “I had a pretty uneventful day, which was good for a change. My factory services motor got me off to a good start and I was able to lead the whole race to take the win.”

Mullins was close to Russell the first half of the race until sustaining a big crash on the third lap Photo: Ken Hill

Mullins remained close to Russell for the first half of the race before suffering a big crash at the end of the third lap. “I rang my bell pretty hard during that crash and never really recovered. Luckily, I was able to hang on for 2^nd place but I was pretty shook up from that spill,” stated Mullins.

With the Factory FMF/KTM riders finishing in the top two spots for the day, Mullins will maintain a 7 point lead over Russell heading to the next round. “The next race is in Ohio which is where I grew up. I am looking forward to that event and hopefully getting another win,” stated Mullins.

Grant Baylor would finish the race 3rd in the XC2 class and 10th overall Photo: Ken Hill

Factory FMF/KTM support rider Grant Baylor secured a 3^rd place result in the GNCC XC2 Pro Lites class. He was sitting as high-up as 2^nd place near the end of the race before stopping for a second pit stop. He fell to 3^rd place on that stop and was unable to make up the time lost in the remaining lap. Now seven rounds into the series, Baylor is ranked 2^nd in the standings just 5 points shy of the point leader.

Kacy Martinez took another win at the Mountaineer Run, increasing her points lead by 19 Photo: Ken Hill

The WXC star, Kacy Martinez, won her sixth race of the season. She took another commanding win over the rest of the field to continue to increase her point lead. She now has a 19 point cushion in the championship chase.

Next Event: Millfield, OH – June 8, 2014

Kailub Russell was awarded the XC1 Bike Holeshot award and the Fastest Lap award Photo: Ken Hill

Overall Results –

Kailub Russell – KTM
Charlie Mullins – KTM
Josh Strang
Jordan Ashburn
Andrew Delong
Ricky Russell
Chris Bach
Jason Thomas – KTM
Trevor Bollinger
Grant Baylor – KTM

Overall Results XC2 Pro Lites –

Ricky Russell
Trevor Bollinger
Grant Baylor – KTM
Nick Davis – KTM
Jessie Groemm – KTM
Jedediah Haines
Kevin Benavides – KTM
Travis Teasdale – KTM
Kenneth Gilbert
Chris Douglas – KTM

Overall Results WXC –

Kacy Martinez – KTM
Mandi Mastin – KTM
Sarah Baldwin – KTM
Becca Sheets
Brooke Cosner – KTM
Rachel Gutish – KTM
Felicia Robichaud – KTM
Ashley Copeland – KTM
Samantha Steiner – KTM
Karlynn Beam – KTM

Overall Point Standings –

Charlie Mullins – 180
Kailub Russell – 173
Josh Strang – 132

Overall Point Standings XC2 Pro Lites –

Ricky Russell – 178
Grant Baylor – 172
Trevor Bollinger – 142

Overall Point Standings WXC –

Kacy Martinez – 139
Mandi Mastin – 120
Becca Sheets – 117