CRAIG DELONG CARRIES XC2 POINTS LEAD INTO GNCC’S SUMMER BREAK WITH A PODIUM PERFORMANCE AT ROUND 8

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S ZACH OSBORNE MAKES A GUEST APPEARANCE AT HIGH VOLTAGE GNCC

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team’s Craig DeLong continues to lead the way in the XC2 250 Pro championship standings following another second-place podium finish at Round 8 of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in Maidsville, West Virginia.

DeLong, who remains the only XC2 rider to finish on the podium at all eight rounds thus far, got off to a mid-pack start and he fought through the dust to reach second-place by lap three. He put on a mid-race charge to catch the leader and he made his move into the lead on lap four thanks to an off-lap pit strategy. From there, it was a game of cat and mouse as DeLong dropped back into second before making another big charge late in the race. After reeling him in on the final lap, DeLong was looking to set up another pass until a big crash sent him to the ground about halfway through the lap. Fortunately, he was able to re-mount quick enough to salvage second-place on the day and he heads into the summer break with a nine-point lead in the class.

“I actually ran Johnny [Girroir] down and got around him on lap four but I just made too many mistakes and he got back around me,” DeLong said. “I ran him back down on the last lap and got up to his rear tire but I had a big crash and hurt my shoulder pretty good. Overall, it was a good points day and I’m happy to be healthy and in one piece.”