David Knight’s luck ran out with the water in his radiator, as mechanical troubles cost the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series points leader a victory at the GEICO Mountain Ridge GNCC in Pennsylvania and opened the door for his championship rival Barry Hawk to win the race overall and make up huge points on his Am-Pro Yamaha. Powersports GrafX/KTM rider Dustin Gibson won the XC2 Lites clss.
Red Bull KTM’s Knight started in dead last but soon worked his way into the lead. But his bike started spewing coolant as the white flag came out, and the countdown began to see how long his machine could hold on.
“It started slowing down on me, so I backed it off a bit and I was still pulling away,” said Knight. “I just had to make it in, so I started going really, really slow, and I still had problems. I stopped a few times to put water in it, but it just came right out so that was a waste of time. Finally it just stopped. I know my speed is good, I know I’m the best rider out there, I just can’t believe the stupid luck I’m having.”
Hawk led FMF Suzuki’s Jimmy Jarrett and Kawasaki/Walpole Trucking privateer Garrett Edmisten to the podium.
Edmisten put in an impressive last-lap charge to get to third. “I was really amazed at myself on the first lap and I thought, this might be a good day,'” said Edmisten.
Fourth went to FMF Suzuki’s Josh Strang, while fifth went to XC Pro Lites winner Dustin Gibson.
Third in the Lites class went to Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/FAR Kawasaki’s Scott Watkins, who finished in eighth overall.
FMF Suzuki’s Glenn Kearney had a rough day in the rocks after claming the Racer X Holeshot Award, and he finished seventh overall. Jerod Stoner finished ninth overall, and Watkins teammate Josh Weisenfels was 10th.
Am-Pro Yamaha’s Charlie Mullins couldn’t take advantage of Knight’s misfortune due to chain problems that knocked him out of the race, and similar issues dropped his teammate Jason Raines deep into the pack. XC2 Lites series leader Rodney Smith failed to finish while nursing a leg injury.
