Kailub Russell wins his third consecutive AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC; Kacy Martinez clinches Women’s championship.
Factory FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell scored his eighth victory of the season and his third consecutive AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC win in Snowshoe, West Virginia, yesterday. Earlier in the day, Russell’s teammate, Kacy Martinez, clinched her second straight WXC title with her eighth win of the season as well.
Heavy rainfall only made the race that is deemed as the toughest of the 13 AMSOIL GNCC rounds on the calendar even more extreme. Slick rocks and tree roots added to the challenge on 13-mile, and the infamous “Howard” mud hole proved to be a nightmare for the competitors. Russell was up to the challenge again, however, as he he quickly moved into the lead on the opening lap, but Airgroup/Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Ryan Sipes matched Russell’s pacem and the two swapped that the lead early in the race. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Husqvarna’s Thad DuVall was also in the mix, and he took over the lead on lap three.
Russell dropped as far back as 11 seconds behind DuVall, but he reeled-in DuVall and the two put on an exciting battle for the lead, staying within 5 seconds of each other heading into the final two laps. Russell then passed DuVall and built a comfortable gap of his own, finishing 1 minute and 20 seconds ahead of DuVall to notch GNCC career win number 30. Russell is now third on the all-time winner’s list, behind Rodney Smith, who has 33 wins.
“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 kind 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.”
Factory FMF/KTM Factory rider Kacy Martinez also had a great career day at the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC. Martines bagged her eighth win of the season in a very challenging WXC race, and by doing so she also clinched the 2015 WXC Championship four rounds early. Martinez battled with Rachel Gutish early in the race, but Martinez put her head down on the final lap and won with over 30 seconds in the bank.
“It feels great to capture the championship a few rounds early for the second year in a row,” Martinez said. “My team built me an amazing bike and I have had a successful season because of that. I am looking forward to the remaining rounds.”
2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Results: June 22, 2015 (Round 9 of 13)
XC1 Pro
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Thad DuVall-Hus
3. Jordan Ashburn-Yam
4. Chris Bach-Hon
5. Grant Baylor-Yam
6. Taylor Robert-KTM
7. Steward Baylor-KTM
8. Daniel Milner-Yam
9. Adam Bonneur-KTM
10. Chris Douglas-KTM
WXC
1. Kacy Martinez-KTM
2. Rachel Gutish-KTM
3. Brooke Cosner-Hus
4. Ashley Copeland-KTM
5. Becca Sheets-Yam
6. Felicia Robichaud-Yam
7. Natasha LaChappelle-KTM
8. Cassidy Brown-KTM
9. Jessica Patterson-Yam
10. Taylor Johnston-KTM
XC2 Pro Lites
1. Jason Thomas-KTM
2. Trevor Bollinger-Hon
3. Michael Witkowski-KTM
4. Ricky Russell-Yam
5. Craig DeLong-Hus
6. Layne Michael-Hon
7. Tegan Temple-KTM
8. Cory Buttrick-Bet
9. Jesse Groemm-Bet
10. Sam Evans-KTM
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