GNCC Racing

Hoosier: eMTB Race Report

Hoosier: eMTB Race Report

Wednesday, May 5, 2021 | 4:45 PM
by:
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 | 4:45 PM

Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship
Round 3 Hoosier GNCC Race Report

Crawfordsville, IN (May 1, 2021) – Round three of the 2021 Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship took place on Saturday, May 1st at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where Florida rider Nick Mackie upset the apple cart by handing two-time GNCC eMTB champion Charlie Mullins his first defeat of the series on a fast and hard-packed course.

Mullins took the early lead after the start of the hour-long race; however, Mackie was able to keep the Specialized rider in sight, and with two laps to go, Mackie slipped by Mullins to take the lead. Mullins shadowed Mackie and made an attempted to make a pass during the final stretch but Mackie held on and took the win by a wheel ahead of Mullins at the finish in what was the most exciting race of the year.

Charlie Millins (1) takes the lead at the start ahead of Adam Mayhew (6) and Jeff McCarren (4). Photo: Shan Moore
Charlie Millins (1) takes the lead at the start ahead of Adam Mayhew (6) and Jeff McCarren (4). Photo: Shan Moore

“I saw an opportunity to go by; it was on a decision maker, actually,” said Mackie. “There’s some lines back here and I took a different climbing line and I snuck right by.”

Mullins continues to lead the championship standings with his runner-up finish.

“He snuck by right at the very end,” said Mullins. “I tried to sneak on the inside but couldn’t make it happen. I think it was half a wheel, so I was pretty close. It’s good to have some competition. Just makes me want to try harder during the week and be ready for the next one.”

Third overall and third XC1 rider was Kyle Smith on a Specialized.

 Albert Haberk (218) squeezes by on the inside after the start of the Amateur race, with Ty Teasdale (212) and Canon Kuneff (26) in hot pursuit. Photo: Shan Moore
Albert Haberk (218) squeezes by on the inside after the start of the Amateur race, with Ty Teasdale (212) and Canon Kuneff (26) in hot pursuit. Photo: Shan Moore

In all, 78 riders competed at the race, competing in eight classes for trophies and prizes. The Hoosier course was fast, flowy and fun, according to a majority of the riders.

Canon Kuneff (SPE), who was fourth overall, won the Amateur class, beating out AmPro Yamaha’s Ty Teasdale (YAM) 1.5 seconds.

Callie Horwath (TRE) claimed her third-straight win in the series in the Women’s division by finishing over a minute ahead of second place finisher Suzanne Bishop (SPE). Ginny McFall was third on a Specialized.

Melanie Mara, who finished sixth in the Women’s class, is typical of the majority of the riders, since she comes from a motorcycle background.

“I came from motocross first, and then I quit racing motocross and got into mountain biking,” said Mara. “I mountain biked for a while. Then I got out of cycling fitness, and my husband talked us into getting the e-bikes. I didn’t want one at first but I did it for him, and I have zero regrets. It has been the best thing. It’s so fun.”

 Ty Teasdale finished a strong second behind Canon Kuneff in the Amateur division. Photo: Shan Moore
Ty Teasdale finished a strong second behind Canon Kuneff in the Amateur division. Photo: Shan Moore

One of the most popular classes is the 40+ class, and it was won by Ian Smith (SPE). Colin Dierman and Marty Aloisio, both Specialized riders, were second and third, respectively.

The Masters 55+ class was won by John Ayers (SPE), with Brad Myers (SPE) and Jeff Bolte (SPE) second and third. Meanwhile, Talon Hawk (HAI) won the Youth (13-17) class ahead of Gavin Garlits (SPE) and Mitch Hawkins (YAM). 

Cooper Kuneff (SPE) took a big win in the Youth (9-12) division, beating out fellow Specialized riders Jackson Fisher and Camden Phillips, while Charles Dunn (SPE) took top honors in the Trail Rider class, ahead of Aaron Keiser (SPE) and Bernard Wilson (HAI). 

The finish of the XC1 race couldn’t have been closer, with Nick Mackie edging Charlie Mullins by a wheel for the win. Photo: Shan Moore
The finish of the XC1 race couldn’t have been closer, with Nick Mackie edging Charlie Mullins by a wheel for the win. Photo: Shan Moore

For more information on the GNCC Series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.

Hoosier GNCC Race Results
Ironman Raceway
Crawfordsville, Indiana
May 1, 2021

Overall Results

  1. Nick Mackie (SPE)
  2.  Charlie Mullins (SPE)
  3. Kyle Smith (SPE)
  4. Canon Kuneff (SPE)
  5. Ty Teasdale (YAM)
  6. William Pegram (SPE)
  7. Jeff McCarren (SPE)
  8. Connor Karkowsky (CAN)
  9. Adam Mayhew (SPE)
  10. Ian Smith (SPE)

To get the latest GNCC Racing clothing and merchandise visit https://www.mototees.com

How to Watch

Racer TV and MAVTV are the official homes for coverage of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) events. All 13 rounds, from the season opener in South Carolina to the finale, will air in taped-delayed telecasts on MAVTV, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 2 p.m. ATV and 1 p.m. motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at http://www.mavtv.com/ and http://www.racertv.com/. 

About GNCC Racing

The Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized is the World’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling two and three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through racetracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks, and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Central America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised live on RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

About eMTB Racing

The Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship brings off-road racing and pedal-assist or electric bicycles together for an eight-round championship produced by Racer Productions. Much like a typical cross-country racing event, these races feature varied terrain including hills, rocks, roots, and more. Limited to electric or pedal assist model mountain bikes only, the championship was added to the GNCC Series in 2019. Visit www.gnccracing.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. Visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.

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Media Contact
Shan Moore
[email protected]