Russell Claims Seventh Consecutive GNCC Title, Kelley Scores Upset First-Ever Win
In another eventful weekend of Amsoil Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series racing, FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell clinched the 2019 National Championship. Although Russell, nursing a bad shoulder, was only able to complete four laps in the race compared to the rest of the field, he was still able to claim his seventh consecutive XC1 title. His main title rival, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's Thad Duvall, suffered a torn ACL in a practice crash a few days before the race and wasn't able to compete. Thus Russell, who held a 47-point lead heading into the race, was able to claim the crown. Russell, also earned the 60th overall win of his career at the Black Sky GNCC on September 14, which is the all-time record for GNCC bike wins.
Russell isn't the only rider continuing to write their name into the history books. Trail Jesters KTM’s Ben Kelley earned the first overall win of his career. Kelley clinched the XC2 National Championship following the Black Sky GNCC following 10 wins in 10 starts in 2019 and elected to move up to the XC1 class instead of going for a never-been-done-before perfect season. Kelley had mechanical issues in his XC1 debut at the Mason-Dixon GNCC last month but was able to bounce back yesterday to take his first overall checkered flag of his career.
It wasn't easy, as it appeared Steward Baylor was headed for the victory on Sunday until a mechanical problem dropped him from the race on the final lap. Kelley, who was doing his best to shadow Baylor all day, inherited the lead and held it to the end, scoring the overall in just his second start in the class.
Trail Jesters KTM’s Jesse Ansley earned his sixth XC3 class win of 2019 and clinched the FMF XC3 125 National Championship for the second consecutive year.
The 13th and final round of the 2019 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, the Ironman GNCC, will take place on October 27, 2019, at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
