The conditions this year were hardpacked and dry without being overly dusty (unlike last year’s powder-filled dust bowl). The course was very fast, but also very slippery, so it was important to pay attention to rear tire traction. The weather was fantastic both days, with the expected rain holding off and mild temperatures, even a little chilly in the mornings – a relief after the brutal heat in the recent southern rounds. Of the 166 riders in the youth bike race, Grant Davis was the overall winner, while Hunter Hawkinberry took the overall win in the 88-rider micro bike race.

In YXC1, it was once again a two-way battle between Davis and Joy for the win. On the first lap, they came through in one and two, with Noah Cooper and Lane Whitmer right behind them in one large pack. Davis went down on the second lap and spent the next two laps chasing Joy, not getting around him until the fourth lap. From there, he pulled a decent gap and finished out of Joy’s sight. Though Cooper stayed with Davis and Joy for a while, by lap three he and Whitmer had both fallen back. On the fourth lap Whitmer got around Cooper and pulled away, taking third place. When asked about his race, Davis told us “I got off to a 4th place start and then got into the lead. Jack was second – he and I pulled away from everyone else. I came into a corner a little too fast and my front end washed out. I lost like 15 seconds to him, but then I put my head down and charged back up to him. After I got around him I pulled a good gap and had about a minute heading into the last lap, so I just cruised to the win.

In YXC2, Andrew Segars was back on top of the box, earning his fifth win this season. He was never faced any challenges from the other riders in his class – by lap two he had pulled thirty seconds on second place and held that gap consistently all the way to the checkered flag. He also tied his highest overall finish this year with a fourth. Current points leader Nicholas Defeo placed second, losing a little ground to Segars in the standings but still holding his lead. Caden Vick finished third, making High Point his second podium this season. When asked about his race, Segars said “I pushed to take an early lead, then maintained my pace and rode mistake-free. I had a great time and am happy with my results!”

The overall non-YXC rider in the bike youth race was Colton Shields (KTM) racing in the 85 (12-13) class. He placed 14th overall.

In MXC1, Colby Goodman was off to a good start and looked as though he would earn yet another win. However, difficulties on the seventh and ninth lap dropped him back to fifth place. Logan Shafer earned his first win this season by over a minute and a half. Beau Garetson took second place, his highest finish this season, while EJ Lingenfield, competing in his first GNCC this season, placed third.

Hunter Hawkinberry won MXC2… and the micro overall, from the second row! All the more impressive, given that he started the race in 14th. Ace Tokar was able to hang with him for a while in second place, but towards the end of the race slowly faded back, although he also made the overall podium, finishing third. The MXC2 podium was identical to last race, as Brock Ragan once again finished third. When asked about his race, Hawkinberry said, “I liked the race and I was excited to get the overall! There were some muddy spots and some tight spots and a couple laps into it there were lappers everywhere at the mudholes. It was fun but the hardest race I have ever raced!”

The overall non-MXC rider in the Micro bike race was Corban Potter (KTM), racing in the Trail Rider (7-9) class. He placed 12th overall.

Round seven of the series will take place on June 13th and 14th in Millfield, Ohio, with the John Penton GNCC. ATV, Micro and eBike racing will take place on Saturday, while Bike racing will take place on Sunday.