Factory FMF/KTM rider Kailub Russell raced to his third win of the Amsoil Grand National Cross Country racing season round eight of the series in Masontown, West Virginia, on June 16. Russell outran Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Kawasaki rider Josh Strang and Russell’s teammate and current points leader Charlie Mullins, who finished second and third respectively.
Russell’s victory wasn’t a walk in the park, as he collided with another rider in a first-turn melee and found himself at the tail end of the pack once he recovered. Russell quickly began tearing through the pack, sometimes passing multiple riders in a single move during the first few miles, to move into the top five early in the first loop. By the end of the first loop, Russell had moved all the way into the lead.
Mullins, who ran fourth early, made his way into second place, and the two appeared to be on pace for a one-two finish, but Mullins crashed down a hill on lap four, twisting his knee in the process. He reentered the race still in second place, but pain in his knee slowed his pace, and he wound up surrendering second place to Strang with one lap to go. Out front, Russell crossed the checkered flag to take his third victory of the season. Strang followed in second place roughly three minutes back while Mullins was just seconds behind Strang to complete the podium.
Heading to the ninth round, Mullins still holds the championship points lead by five points over his teammate.
The XC2 Pro Lites class was won by Jason Thomas who took the victory over Grant Baylor and Layne Michaels. The three KTM riders made it a podium sweep for the Austrian brand. Now eight rounds into the series, Baylor holds the points lead by 14 points over Thomas.
Factory FMF/KTM rider Maria Forsberg was very comfortable on the muddy and slick Mountaineer Run course, taking the win in the women’s class by 6 minutes over fellow KTM riders Kacy Martinez and Mandi Mastin. Forsberg and Martinez are now tied for the lead in the point standings.
Overall Results Overall (XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Combined):
1. Kailub Russell–KTM
2. Josh Strang–Kaw
3. Charles Mullins–KTM
4. Jason Thomas–KTM
5. Chris Bach–KTM
6. Paul Whibley–Yam
7. Jordan Ashburn–Yam
8. Grant Baylor–KTM
9. Layne Michael–KTM
10. Scott Grills–Kaw
Overall Results Women’s Class:
1. Maria Forsberg–KTM
2. Kacy Martinez–KTM
3. Mandi Mastin–KTM
4. Becca Sheets–Yam
5. Brooke Cosner–Yam
6. Allie Sprugeon–KTM
7. Heather Cosner–Yam
8. Megan Luketich–KTM
9. Dawn Silvia–KTM
10. Sarah Baldwin–KTM
Overall Point Standings XC1 Pro Class:
1. Charlie Mullins–205
2. Kailub Russell–200
3. Josh Strang–144
Overall Point Standings XC2 Pro Lites Class:
1. Grant Baylor–179
2. Jason Thomas–165
3. Andrew Delong–121
Overall Point Standings Women’s Class:
1. Maria Forsberg–134
2. Kacy Martinez–134
3. Mandi Mastin–126
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