| March 19, 2018
2018 The Maxxis General GNCC Results – Kailub Russell made it three wins in a row after coming from behind at the Maxxis General GNCC in Washington, Georgia, March 18. The FMF KTM rider is perfect so far after three rounds.
2018 The Maxxis General GNCC Results
Kailub Russell won The Maxxis General GNCC. Photo: Darrin Chapman
The General GNCC wasn’t decided until the last lap. The race boiled down to a two-rider shootout between Russell and Thad Duvall (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).
Duvall had earlier taken over the lead, while Russell was working his way up to the front. The two broke away from the rest of the pack as they dueled for the win on the last lap.
Russell and Duvall battled back and forth until Russell took over the lead with just a few miles left in the race.
“I knew what I wanted to do when Thad was up front,” said Russell. “We were both kind of cruising and waiting for that last lap. I was able to make a move and get to the front and I started a pretty fast pace, but Thad was able to stay right there. We swapped back and forth a couple of times. He got in front of me at about seven miles into the lap, but I got him back with four miles to go and I was able to hold on for the win despite a couple of close calls. It was a fun race and Thad and I had a good battle. The little bit of rain we got yesterday made for fantastic conditions and I’m happy to get the win at this one.”
“I’m happy with today’s ride compared to my first two races,” said Duvall. “I feel like I rode the best that I could. Kailub and I passed each other two or three times on that last lap but he just had the upper hand at the finish.”
Steward Baylor (Tely Racing) ended up joining Russell and Duvall on the podium. Unfortunately for him, Baylor got off to a terrible start and spent the rest of the race working his way up through the pack instead of challenging for the lead.
JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger was threatening to win at one point of the race but slipped back to fourth at the finish.
Josh Strang (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) rounded out the top five overall.
2018 The Maxxis General GNCC Results
Ben Kelley (center) topped the XC2 class for the second time in a row. Photo: Darrin Chapman
Ben Kelley (Trail Jesters KTM) was sixth overall but that was good enough to nab the XC2 class win for the second race in a row.
Second in XC2 was Australia’s Pascal Rauchenecker in ninth overall.
GasGas’ Nick Davis rounded out the XC2-class podium.
Sterling, Illinois rider Cody Barnes topped the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class, beating out former AMA Hare Scrambles National Champion Jason Raines and KTM-mounted Jesse Ansley for the win. Raines led at one point on his Raines Racing Yamaha, but came up just three seconds short, as Barnes claimed his second podium finish in three races.
Tayla Jones claimed her third WXC win in a row. Jones battled on the final lap of the race with Becca Sheets but managed to cross the finish about 30 seconds ahead of her. Rachel Gutish rounded out the podium another 10 minutes back.
“I got off to a good start and for a while I was just riding by myself,” said Jones. “On lap three, I got stuck in a mud hole and then I had another drama right after that so Becca caught right up to me. Becca got by me in the field, but I was able to get back around her and take the win.”
The Maxxis General GNCC
Washington, Georgia
RESULTS: March 18, 2018
OVERALL
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Thad Duvall (Hus)
- Steward Baylor (KTM)
- Trevor Bollinger (Hon)
- Josh Strang (Hus)
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Jordan Ashburn (Bet)
- Layne Michael (Hus)
- Pascal Rauchenecker (Hus)
- Grant Baylor (KTM)
