Kailub Russell is dominating so far this year in the 2014 Grand National Cross Country series in his attempt to repeat as champion.
After a Round 1 hiccup, Russell raced to three straight wins and the lead in the overall championship point standings. He heads into Round 5 this weekend for the Dunlop Limestone 100 in Springville, IN with momentum and little reason to think he won't pull off four straight.
"I've ridden really well so far this year and am way ahead of where I was at this point last year in wins so hopefully I can keep it going through to summer break," Russell said. "I've made a few suspension changes for every round so far. I have gotten really good at knowing how my bike needs to be for each round now and I think it's a big advantage."
In a close second place, just two points behind Russell, is Charlie Mullins, Russell's other half on the Factory FMF/KTM team. Russell and Mullins battled to the end last year and the 2014 campaign looks no different. Mullins won Round 1 and took second in two other rounds. On both riders heels though is Josh Strang, the 2010 GNCC champion. Strang is the only rider to finish in the Top 5 every round this year.
Russell, a MotoSport-sponsored rider, said it's difficult to bring his "A" game every race but the biggest thing for him is to simply ride like he knows how to.
"If I do that the result is usually a win," he said.
Check out Russell's helmet cam at last year's Limestone:
This is the third year for the Limestone 100 - a race Russell won two years ago and Mullins took last year. Russell said the course is fun to ride but is slick in some areas and rough and rooty in others.
The Limestone 100 for Pro Bikes starts at 1 p.m. (EST) Sunday at Lawrence County Recreational Park, 99 Moore Lane in Springville, IN.
