GNCC Racing

KTM Race Report: Kailub Russell Captures Second-Straight Victory at The Big Buck GNCC

Monday, April 18, 2016 | 12:10 PM

FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kailub Russell captured his second straight victory in the 2016 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series on Sunday, catapulting himself into a tie for the lead with Josh Strang in the XC1 Pro Championship Standings.

Russell got a good jump off the start, where he rounded the first turn with the lead pack. The 3-Time GNCC National Champion quickly overtook the lead after the second corner, which turned out to be a big advantage due to the dusty course conditions. Russell’s teammate, Charlie Mullins, got a good jump and was third off the start but soon ran into an issue early in the three-hour race.

Mullins who returned at the last round was forced to pull off at the two-hour mark in South Carolina this past weekend.
Mullins who returned at the last round was forced to pull off at the two-hour mark in South Carolina this past weekend. Photo: Courtesy of KTM

“I got taken out going into the woods and from there I tried to make some passes but my hands wouldn’t have it today,” Mullins said after pulling off at the two-hour mark. “I gave it my all and I couldn’t really hold on so I was forced to pull off, which is a really tough decision to make when you want to race so bad.”

As the race wore on, Russell continued to put forth an impressive performance as he maintained a mistake-free race amidst a rough course and heavy lapped traffic.

“I got a good start and I put my head down and tried to get away,” Russell said. “I had the dust on my side right away but I couldn’t shake [Jordan] Ashburn, who was riding really well. I got a little gap but the track fell apart and got really tough the last few laps. I just had to be really smart and make good decisions with the lappers out there.”

With two wins this season, Kailub Russell is now tied for the lead in the XC1 Pro class. 
With two wins this season, Kailub Russell is now tied for the lead in the XC1 Pro class.  Photo: Courtesy of KTM

Russell’s second victory of the season allowed him to move into a two-way tie for the lead in the XC1 Pro Championship Standings.

FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kacy Martinez got off to a great start in the 10 a.m. amateur race, where she led the first two laps of the two-hour competition. From there, Martinez engaged in a three-way battle for the lead with WMX racer Mackenzie Tricker and Becca Sheets. On the final lap, Martinez hit a tree about two miles from the finish line and wasn’t able to complete the lap due to bike damages and minor injury.

Kacy Martinez was battling for the lead when a crash ended her day early.
Kacy Martinez was battling for the lead when a crash ended her day early. Photo: Courtesy of KTM

Next Event: Society Hill, South Carolina – May 1, 2016

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

  1. Kailub Russell – KTM
  2. Chris Bach
  3. Josh Strang
  4. Ryan Sipes
  5. Jordan Ashburn – KTM
  6. Grant Baylor
  7. Ricky Russell
  8. Trevor Bollinger
  9. Craig DeLong
  10. Jesse Groemm

Results WXC Class

  1. Mackenzie Tricker
  2. Becca Sheets
  3. Jessica Patterson
  4. Brooke Cosner
  5. Kendall LaFollette
  6. Allie Spurgeon – KTM
  7. Felicia Robichaud
  8. Shelby Rolen
  9. Wendy Jaudas – KTM
  10. Kacy Martinez – KTM
Kailub Russell earned his second straight victory of the season this past weekend.
Kailub Russell earned his second straight victory of the season this past weekend. Photo: Courtesy of KTM

Overall Point Standings

  1. Kailub Russell (106)
  2. Josh Strang (106)
  3. Chris Bach (71)
  4. Ryan Sipes (66)
  5. Trevor Bollinger (62)
  6. Daniel Milner (61)
  7. Grant Baylor (50)
  8. Steward Baylor Jr. (46)
  9. Jordan Ashburn (41)
  10. Craig DeLong (38)

Overall Point Standings WXC

  1. Becca Sheets (77)
  2. Kacy Martinez (70)
  3. Brooke Cosner (70)