With XC1 Pro Class lap times under 24 minutes, the Tomahawk GNCC course showcased a fast-paced and rough afternoon of racing, complete with high winds and very dusty conditions. Off the start, Bobbitt powered his KTM 250 XC-F into a favorable top-three position, while Russell began the three-hour race at the very end of the pack, roughly one minute behind the leaders on the opening lap.

As they checked in for lap one, Bobbitt held the 3rd place position with a hard-charging Russell up to 6th place aboard his KTM 350 XC-F. By lap two, the Factory FMF KTM Racing teammates assumed the 2nd and 3rd place positions, with Bobbitt at the helm of the charge toward the leader of Josh Strang.

On lap three, Russell made the pass on Bobbitt to take over 2nd place where he immediately upped the pace, cutting the deficit to Strang in half by making up 13 seconds in one lap. From there, Russell continued his charge to the front as he came within six seconds of the leader as the white flag came out to signal one lap to go.

Russell gave it his all during the final lap of the race as he caught and passed Strang to take over the lead with about five miles to go. However, as Strang attempted to reclaim the lead he collided with Russell and both riders went down. Russell received the worst of it as he hit a tree at such high impact that his motorcycle was broken beyond repair. Strang was able to remount and finish the race out front, while Russell was unable to finish the race.

With a five-race win-streak behind him, Russell now sits 2nd in the Overall National Championship standings as the GNCC Series hits its halfway point.

Bobbitt went on to capture 5th place in the XC1 Class and 8th overall for the day. In only his third GNCC appearance of the season, the current National Enduro Championship points leader continues to make improvements in preparation for the three-hour GNCC races.

“The track was really fun today, it was littered with shale rocks, twisty turns and some cool elevation,” Bobbitt said. “I’ve been working hard on my preparation for these longer races and we’re starting to see the difference in laptimes so it’s good.”

In the 10 a.m. race, FMF KTM Factory Team rider Kacy Martinez shot off the line to capture the WXC holeshot aboard her KTM 250 XC-F. Martinez led the opening lap until Becca Sheets made the pass to take over the lead. Sheets and Martinez diced back-and-forth for the lead position for a majority of the race but soon ran into lapped traffic, which allowed Sheets to break away out front.

Martinez wasn’t able to make up the lost time from the lapped traffic, where she ultimately finished in 2nd place behind Sheets. With five races remaining, Martinez sits 3rd in the WXC Championship standings.

Next Event: Snowshoe, West Virginia – June 26, 2016