Cycle News Staff | May 16, 2016
It was an exciting finish to the Limestone 100 GNCC in Morgantown, West Virginia, May 15, where defending GNCC champ, Red Bull KTM’s Kailub Russell prevailed after a last-lap shootout with Husqvarna riders Josh Strang and Thad Duvall.
Kailub Russell celebrates another GNCC win. Photography by Ken Hill
Duvall had the lead after taking the white flag but made a mistaking letting Strang and Russell get around him.
Strang maintained the lead until the last straightaway, when Russell made an all-out last attempt for the lead, which paid off for the KTM rider.
Russell managed to win the sprint to the checkered flag and take the win over Strang and Duvall. Russell started off the race about fifth and later admitted that he didn’t have his best stuff in the Indiana woods.
“I don’t feel like I was the fastest guy out there today,” said Russell. “I just had a bunch of little tip-overs. It was almost easier to be behind than lead today, because of all the bad lines and lappers. We all had a good battle and it seemed like every mile we just kept changing out the lead. After we came back through the starting area I knew there wasn’t many places to pass from there. Josh got protective and was riding the inside lines and I was able to make a hairball pass on him and stick it out for the overall.”
Westfield Powersports KTM, Moose Racing’s Jordan Ashburn ended up fourth overall while early leader Chris Bach, on the JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/Fly Racing CRF450R, rounded out the top five overall.
Russell extended his points lead to 24 over Strang.
In XC2, JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/Fly Racing’s Trevor Bollinger captured his fifth win of the championship.
Craig Delong, on the Coastal Racing/MSR Husqvarna, fought hard to keep Bollinger on his toes and wound up taking second.
Trail Jester Racing’s Benjamin Kelley completed the XC2 podium.
Limestone 100 GNCC
Springville, Indiana
Round 6 of 13
Sunday, May 15
XC1 Pro Event Results:
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Josh Strang (HUS)
- Thad Duvall (HUS)
- Jordan Ashburn (KTM)
- Chris Bach (HON)
- Daniel Milner (YAM)
- Ricky Russell (SUZ)
- Cory Buttrick (KTM)
- Philippe Chaine (KTM)
- Chris Douglas (SUZ)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (166)
- Josh Strang (142)
- Chris Bach (105)
- Jordan Ashburn (84)
- Daniel Milner (80)
- Trevor Bollinger (77)
- Ryan Sipes (66)
- Craig Delong (65)
- Steward Baylor Jr. (62)
- Thad Duvall (53)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Pro Lites Event Results:
- Trevor Bollinger (HON)
- Craig Delong (HUS)
- Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
- Joshua Toth (KTM)
- Jesse Groemm (BET)
- Michael Witkowski (KTM)
- Austin Lee (YAM)
- Layne Michael (HUS)
- Vance Francis (HON)
- Samuel Evans (YAM)
XC2 Pro Lites Series Standings:
- Trevor Bollinger (153)
- Craig Delong (129)
- Jesse Groemm (101)
- Layne Michael (95)
- Tegan Temple (87)
- Benjamin Kelley (86)
- Austin Lee (77)
- Joshua Toth (71)
- Trevor Barrett (68)
- Samuel Evans (67)
