2018 X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Results

Shan Moore | May 14, 2018

2018 X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Results – The latest chapter of the 2018 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Championship read much like the last one, and some of the previous ones, as well. Once again, the race boiled down to a two-rider showdown between Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall, this time at the X-Factory Whitetails Hunting Ranch in Peru, Indiana, May 13.

2018 X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Results

Russell, on the FMF Factory Racing KTM, took the lead from Steward Baylor just before the halfway point and set the pace out in front, while Duvall worked his way closer to the front after getting off to a fourth-place start.

Duvall eventually caught Russell setting the stage for another late-race showdown for the win between these two. And, as happened more times than not, Russell held on for the win, taking the checkered flag just six seconds ahead of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Team rider to claim his fifth win of the six-race-old series. It was Duvall’s fourth second-place finish of the series.

“We had a good day,” said Russell. “We got out to the early lead, but then I made a mistake and went down and Thad caught up to me. After that, I took a bad line and he went around me, but I was able to get back around him once we got out here in the open. Overall, it was a good race. Thad was right there all day and he kept me honest.”

Duvall, however, was disappointed to have finished second to Russell for a fourth time.

“It was a frustrating day for sure,” said Duvall. “I got off to a good start, but somebody took me wide in the first turn so I was coming from the back early in the race. I was able to catch up, but I just didn’t have it in the end. I’m tired of getting second. We put in a lot of work during the week to come out here and not get the win.”

Grant Baylor (Tely Energy Racing) also worked his way up through the field to grab the last spot on the podium.

Steward Baylor, who held the early lead before suffering a mechanic issue with his footpeg, ended up fourth overall, while JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger rounded out the top five.

Josh Strang (Husqvana) was sixth, followed by Ricky Russell (Yamaha) and the top-placing XC2 rider, FMF KTM’s Josh Toth. The next three finishers were all XC2-class riders: Benjamin Kelley (KTM), Craig Delong (Husqvarna) and Austin Lee (Hon).

Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) won the WXC class, followed by Mackenzie Tricker (KTM), Brooke Cosner (Yam) and Shyann Phelps (KTM).

Shan Moore