Two-time GNCC eMTB Champion, Charlie Mullins capitalized on a good start to take the early lead in the XC1 Pro class. After an hour of racing, the Specialized-backed rider crossed the finish line with an impressive win.

Like most of the competitors, Mullins thought the course was fun and challenging.

“The course was awesome,” said Mullins. “It was really dry and dusty. Luckily, I was able to get a good start. Got the holeshot and sprinted really hard that first lap and kind of got a little bit of a gap and just kind of managed it from there and still tried to ride as hard as I could.”

Nick Mackie (SPE), who grew up racing dirt bikes, including national motocross, took the checkered flag 36 seconds behind Mullins for second in the XC1 Pro class. 

Mackie had problems on the start and was off the pace until turn three. 

“My bike wasn’t on when I took off, so it took about three corners and it finally kicked on,” said Mackie. “I don't know if it tripped a wire, but I got a terrible start. So, once I got settled in on lap one, I made some good passes. I think I made it to third by the end of lap one. Then about halfway through, I caught Kyle (Smith) for second.” 

Kyle Smith (SPE) held on for third in the Pro class. 

Despite crashing in the first turn, AmPro Yamaha’s Ty Teasdale took first in the Amateur class with a sixth overall finish.

“I crashed and I think I was in last once I got going again,” said Teasdale. “I just had to try to regroup. Then I was just trying to pick off one by one and get in the flow. My chain also came off a few times, so I’m happy to get the win.” 

Brad Esper (SPE) was second in the Amateur class, while Barry Wray (SPE) was third. 

Callie Horwath (TRE) took top honors in the Women’s class, finishing just over a minute ahead of Ginny McFall (SPE). Ashley Hendershot (SPE) rounded out the top three.

Horwath, who also won the Women’s class at round one of the series, was making just her second start in an eMTB race.

Gavin Garlits (SPE) made a last-lap pass to win the Youth (13-17) class ahead of AmPro Yamaha’s Mitch Hawkins.

“I got up to second and was right on Mitch for a whole lap,” said Garlits. “Then on that last lap about halfway through the lap, just decided I needed to sprint even harder. I passed Mitch and just put on a full sprint to finish it out.” 

Austin Tsakanikas (SPE) was third behind Hawkins.

Like a lot of the competitors, Garlits came from a motorcycle background, and actually got into racing the eBike series after using an eBike to scout the GNCC courses the past year.

“I come from dirt bikes; wo wheels is my thing,” said Garlits. “I became good friends with a bunch of the pros and one of them let me ride their eBike and I was hooked.”

The Senior 40+ class was won by Ian Smith (SPE). Smith hooked up with a few of the Amateur riders, which helped with his pace.

“I went in the woods about fourth place, but after the first couple of turns was able to get away,” said Smith. “I was riding with some of the guys from the amateur category and it just let me get in a good flow and I was able to keep up a good pace.”

Specialized riders Jason Conlon and Collin Dierman were second and third respectively in the class.

Racer Productions, Inc., producers of the 2021 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is proud to announce that the Loretta Lynn eMTB race, Round 7 of the 8-round Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC Series, will once again serve as an FIM North American eMTB Championship. Equally exciting is that this unique round will boast a $10,000 Pro Purse.

The Loretta Lynn eMTB GNCC will be held on Saturday, July 31st, in conjunction with the 40^th Annual Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship (August 2^nd – 7^th) at the home of country music legend Loretta Lynn in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, the largest and most prestigious amateur motocross event in the world.

Dunlop Tires Tiger Run GNCC Results

Union, South Carolina
April 18, 2021

XC1 Pro Results

1.  Charlie Mullins (SPE)
2. Nick Mackie (SPE)
3. Kyle Smith (SPE)SPE)
4. William Pegram (SPE)
5. Jeff McCarren (SPE)
6. Ty Teasdale (YAM)
7. Connor Karkowsky (CAN)
8. Andrew Mayhem (SPE)
9. Chase Peeler (INT)
10. Ian Smith (SPE)