GNCC Racing

Brycen Neal Secures Third Overall at Cannonball GNCC in Georgia

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | 10:50 AM

The Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis/Waynesburg Yamaha team captured two podium finishes on Saturday at round two of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in Sparta, Georgia. At the inaugural Cannonball GNCC, Brycen Neal secured his second straight podium finish in the XC1 Pro Class, while his teammate Eli Kiger finished second in the College B (16-21) Class in his rookie season. 

Coming off an impressive finish at the last round, Neal lined up for round two with plenty of confidence. The Bidwell, Ohio native didn't get the most favorable start after getting tangled with another rider in the first turn, but he immediately began picking off riders to make his way toward the front. By the halfway mark, Neal had made his way into the fourth place position behind Adam McGill. Turning up the intensity on the final lap, Neal made his move on McGill to overtake third and secure the final podium position.

Brycen Neal tangled with another rider on the start but made up solid ground. 
Brycen Neal tangled with another rider on the start but made up solid ground.  Photo: Ken Hill

Neal's consistent start to the season has earned him the second place position in the championship standings, where he is currently tied with multi-time GNCC National Champion Chris Borich. 

"I'm super happy to be back up on the box, especially after coming from almost dead last to fight through a tough pack," Neal said. "My team never stopped believing in me and handled the adversity like seasoned veterans." 

Neal captured his second consecutive podium finish in the first two rounds.
Neal captured his second consecutive podium finish in the first two rounds. Photo: Ken Hill

In the College B (16-21) Class, Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis/Waynesburg Yamaha team rider Eli Kiger shot off the line to capture the holeshot and take over the early lead in the class. However, Kiger hit a tree about two miles in and dropped back to the 10th place position. Kiger pushed his way back through the pack where he eventually made the pass for third with one lap to go.  The Pennsylvania native then dropped the hammer to move into second place on the final lap.

"After I hit the tree on the first lap I spent the rest of the race just pushing my way through the pack," Kiger said. "I finally made the pass for second in the last mile on the final lap. I'm hoping to come away with the win at round three."

Next ATV Event: GNCC Round 3 - April 2

Results from the Cannonball GNCC - Saturday, March 12 

XC1 Pro ATV Results

  1. Walker Fowler
  2. Chris Borich
  3. Brycen Neal (YAM)

College B (16-21) Results

  1. Shane Pitzer
  2. Eli Kiger (YAM)
  3. Morgan Flannery

XC1 Pro ATV Championship Standings

  1. Walker Fowler (60)
  2. Brycen Neal (46)
  3. Chris Borich (46) 

College B (16-21) Championship Standings

  1. Shane Pitzer (40)
  2. Morgan Flannery (37)
  3. Travis Spencer (33)
  4.  Scott Pierson (27)
  5. Eli Kiger (26)