Kailub Russell navigates the sloppy mud of the Snowshoe GNCC course en route to his 30th career victory, and his eighths of the season. Photography by Ken Hill
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series made its return to the scenic Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort where round nine of the championship took place. Racers took to the hilly West Virginia course, which had been thoroughly soaked by heavy rains, and left racers faced with challenging muddy terrain, slick rocks, tree roots, and worst of all, the thick, deep mud of “Howard’s Hole.”
Despite it all, Kailub Russell was once again unstoppable. The FMF KTM Factory rider earned his eighth victory of the season – his 30th career GNCC victory – though it wasn’t without a fight from Thad DuVall. After getting out to a good start, Russell moved into the early lead on the opening lap. After some early advances from Ryan Sipes, it was the Husqvarna of DuVall that gave Russell the stiffest challenge for the lead. The two dueled it out for the majority of the race, staying within five seconds of each other.
When the two-lap board came out, however, Russell decided he’d had enough of DuVall, and he put the hammer down to pull away with the lead. By the checkered flag, Russell had one minute and 20 seconds over DuVall, who finished a solid second place.
“I knew it was going to be a tough day after walking the track in the morning,” Russell said. “I had a fun day racing with Thad; he had a lot of good lines and I had some better ones in places so we kid of complemented each other all day. I’m glad I was able to put down a couple solid laps at the end to break away from him and get the win.”
DuVall’s runner-up finish marked his best of the season, and the Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Husqvarna rider has moved himself into second in the championship ahead of Grant Baylor.
Another season best went to Jordan Ashburn. The N-Fab AmPro Yamaha rider rounded out the podium in third place, marking his first podium finish of 2015.
JCR Honda’s Chris Bach put in a strong ride to finish fourth, effectively rebounding from his lackluster finish at the previous round.
American ISDE Trophy Team members Taylor Robert, Gary Sutherlin and Mike Brown made a cameo at the Snowshoe GNCC. For FMF KTM Factory racer Robert, it was his first-ever GNCC. He was impressive in his debut, finishing sixth in the XC1 Pro class. Brown and Sutherlin finished 12th and 14th, respectively.
Another FMF KTM Factory rider celebrated a momentous occasion at the Snowshoe GNCC – Kacy Martinez topped her eighth race of the season to capture her second-consecutive WXC Championship. Martinez battled with Rachel Gutish in the early laps of the 2.5-hour race, but soon pulled away to take the win and the title.
“It feels great to capture the championship a few rounds early for the second year in a row,” said Martinez. “My team built me an amazing bike and I have had a successful season because of that. I’m looking for ward to the remaining rounds.”