Challenging Conditions Leave Josh Toth With Seventh in XC1 at Snowshoe GNCC
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | 10:30 AM
CHALLENGING CONDITIONS LEAVE JOSH TOTH WITH
SEVENTH IN XC1 AT SNOWSHOE GNCC
SNOWSHOE, W. Va. – Racing in contention for his first overall-win of the 2022 AMA Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Josh Toth got caught up in the grueling elements of the Snowshoe GNCC, leaving him to salvage seventh-place in XC1 Open Pro and 15th overall after undergoing a tire-swap late in the race.
In what might have been the muddiest conditions of the season, Toth put in a great battle against his competitors in the steep and rocky mountain terrain. Starting on row two of the unique dead engine GP-style start on the pavement, Toth was physically in sixth heading into the woods and he made a steady charge aboard his KTM 350 XC-F to catch the front row riders early on. Halfway through the three-hour race, Toth had pushed into the lead but bad luck struck when he encountered a tire issue that prohibited him from completing the fifth lap.
Due to his strong attack on the rocky terrain, Toth found himself struggling to gain traction up the FMF Powerpoint hill so he made the quick decision to head to the pits for a tire change. After the tire swap, he re-entered the course where he originally left off, costing him a significant amount of time and he lost several positions in the overall running. With a strong finishing effort, Toth was able to salvage seventh in the class and 15th overall.
Josh Toth:“I put myself in a good position and got into the lead on the third lap. I felt really good and strong on the bike but right about halfway into the race, I could feel my rear tire deteriorate really badly. It just happened pretty quick and once I got to the muddy side of the mountain, it was really hard to get back up the hill. I wasn't sure if I was even going to be able to make it back up to the pits. After a couple of times on the Powerpoint Hill, I ended up taking the road back to the pits to get a new wheel and then went back up the hillclimb and salvaged what I could.”
Reigning XC1 Open Pro Champion Ben Kelley is still out due to an injury, but he sits second in points after a commanding start to his season.
KTM-mounted rider Shelby Turner captured second in the WXC class and sixth overall in the morning race, while Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Korie Steede captured third in WXC.
Next Race: Mountaineer GNCC – Beckley, West Virginia – September 11, 2022
XC1 Open Pro Results – Snowshoe GNCC
1. Jordan Ashburn, HQV, 03:06:19.638
2. Ricky Russell, GAS, +10.400
3. Steward Baylor, YAM, +12.863
OTHER KTM
7. Josh Toth, KTM, +02:22.125
Overall Championship Standings
1. Jordan Ashburn, 187
2. Ben Kelley, 180 points
3. Trevor Bollinger, 148
OTHER KTM
8. Josh Toth, 101