MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - Following a two-month break over the summer, the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, returns to action this weekend, Sept. 6 and 7, with the Can-Am Unadilla GNCC. Factory FMF KTM's Kailub Russell heads into Round 10 with a commanding lead over the rest of the XC1 Pro class, while KTM Support rider Grant Baylor leads the way in XC2 Pro Lites.
Coming off a three-race winning streak, Russell's confidence is at an all-time high as the series begins to wind down to the final four rounds of racing. Russell, the 2013 National Champion, will continue his bid for a second straight title in the XC1 Pro class but first, he must do battle against the world's fastest off-road racers through some of the most grueling obstacles in the woods.
Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Josh Strang currently sits third in the championship standings, where he diligently works toward surpassing FMF/KTM's Charlie Mullins for the second place position. Mullins, who has missed a substantial amount of the season due to injury, is no longer in the championship chase but the 2011 National Champion is expected to make an appearance before the season is over. Strang has a slew of third place finishes behind him and the 2010 National Champ is looking for his first win of the season in the final four rounds.
Coming off arguably the best ride of his professional career at Snowshoe, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Jordan Ashburn isn't far behind Strang with fourth place in the championship standings. Ashburn has finished inside the top ten at every round thus far, with four top-five finishes through the last four rounds.
The young Grant Baylor, who currently leads the XC2 Pro Lites championship standings, has been successful in challenging the overall leaders with two second place overall finishes thus far. The KTM Support rider currently sits fifth place in the overall championship standings, where he continues to fight for a second straight championship in the XC2 class.
N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Paul Whibley currently sits back in sixth overall in the championship standings. The two-time GNCC National Champion has experienced a few set backs this season with minor injuries along the way but with a healthy break over the summer, Whibley is expected to be a tough competitor in the final four rounds.
Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles' Ricky Russell sits within striking distance of Grant Baylor in the XC2 Pro Lites Championship chase. The young duo has traded race wins back and forth all season but Baylor's two-race winning streak has given him a little more advantage coming back from the summer break.
With one victory behind him, XC2 Pro Lites rookie Trevor Bollinger currently sits third in the class standings. Bollinger has put forth a solid and consistent season, landing inside the top ten at each round thus far. RideMPS.com/AMSOIL Honda's Layne Michael sits in the fourth place spot and KR4 Arrive-N-Ride's Shane Hufford rounds out the top five.
Factory FMF/KTM's Kacy Martinez wrapped up the WXC Championship four rounds early at Snowshoe, but the 2014 champ will continue to fight for overall victories in the 10 a.m. race. Ohio's Mandi Mastin continues to hold the second place position in WXC, just two points ahead of N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Becca Sheets in third.
Youth bike racing will take place Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and Women at 10 a.m., while the top amateurs and pros race at 1 p.m.
Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro Bike race at round ten. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit racertv.com.
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Previous Round Results
AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Round 9 of 13
Sunday, June 22
XC1 Event Results:
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Jordan Ashburn (YAM)
- Andrew Delong (HSQ)
- Steward Baylor (KTM)
- Chris Bach (HON)
- Josh Strang (YAM)
- Jason Thomas (KTM)
- Paul Whibley (YAM)
- Jesse Robinson (YAM)
- Ryan Sipes (KTM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (233)
- Charlie Mullins (180)
- Josh Strang (165)
- Jordan Ashburn (154)
- Grant Baylor (134)
- Paul Whibley (123)
- Andrew Delong (119)
- Ricky Russell (109)
- Steward Baylor (102)
- Chris Bach (92)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
- Grant Baylor (KTM)
- Trevor Bollinger (HON)
- Nick Davis (KTM)
- Jesse Groemm (KTM)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Chris Douglas (KTM)
- Zach Love (KTM)
- Jedediah Haines (YAM)
- Sam Evans (KTM)
- Layne Michael (HON)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Grant Baylor (232)
- Ricky Russell (215)
- Trevor Bollinger (185)
- Layne Michael (127)
- Shane Hufford Jr (114)
- Jesse Groemm (108)
- Callan May (101)
- Sam Evans (100)
- Chris Douglas (99)
- Jedediah Haines (87)
