Russell Bounces Back At Georgia GNCC

Kit Palmer | March 19, 2012

FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell rebounded quite well at round two of the 2012 GNCC series in Georgia after posting a DNF at the season opener just a few days earlier at the River Ranch GNCC. Russell, who pulled out of the River Ranch race with an injured shoulder, showed no signs of the injury and reeled off his second career XC1 Pro-class win at the Maxxis General GNCC in Washington, Georgia, March 18.

Kailub Russell captured the overall win at the Maxxis General GNCC in Georgia.

Kailub Russell captured the overall win at the Maxxis General GNCC in Georgia.

Like he did the previous race before crashing out, Russell ran with the lead pack for much of the race before saving his best for the last and pulling away at the end to take the win over teammate Charlie Mullins and River Ranch winner AmPro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley.

“I felt like I had a little more at the end of the race and I knew I could go faster, so I got around Charlie and laid down a couple fast laps,” Russell said.

Russell finished nearly 30 seconds ahead of Mullins, who finished just eight seconds ahead of Whibley.

JG Offroad Honda’s Nate Kanney finished fourth overall after a outdueling Shenandoah Honda/Offroad Champion’s Thad DuVall late in the race.

Sixth overall went to KTM rider Cory Buttrick, while seventh overall went to XC2 Pro Lites winner Steward Baylor Jr., who finished 15 seconds ahead of eighth overall and second XC2 Pro Lites rider, FAR Husqvarna’s Jason Thomas.

XC1 riders Garrett Emisten (Kawasaki) and Rory Mead (KTM) rounded out the top 10 overall.

Aaron Plessinger topped the Amateur division, topping fellow 250 A rider Grant Baylor by just over 30 seconds.

FMF/KTM’s Maria Forsberg won the Women’s class by approximately five minutes over KTM riders Ashley Crouch and Sarah Whitmore.

Kit Palmer | Off-Road Editor

Kit Palmer started his career at Cycle News in 1984 and he’s been testing dirt and streetbikes every since – plus covering any event that uses some form of a knobby tire. He’s also our resident motorcycle mileage man with a commute of 120 miles a day.