Kailub Russell discovered rather quickly just how hard it's going to be defending his 2013 Grand National Cross Country championship.
Russell and teammate Charlie Mullins, last year's runner-up, nearly held a yard sale after turn one in Round 1 of the 2014 GNCC series when the two both hit the dirt bending handlebars and sending parts everywhere. Their crash also took down Steward Baylor and Andrew Delong.
All four continued the inaugural GNCC race for Mud Muckers, an off-roading park in Bunnell, Fl about 30 minutes north of Daytona. Mullins, who won Round 1 last year held at Westgate River Ranch, took the win again this year after battling with 2012 GNCC champ Paul Whibley for nearly an hour.
Russell worked his way back and eventually took the lead position but the magic ran out when he encountered mechanical problems and he settled for ninth. Russell is in 14th for the Overall National Championship Standings.
Former MotoSport-sponsored rider and Supercross/Motocross stand-out Ryan Sipes made an impressive debut in off-road with an 8th place finish, a mere four seconds ahead of Russell. Sipes is in 13th place in the National Championship Standings.
Round 2 of the 2014 GNCC series is Saturday and Sunday at The Maxxis General in Washington, GA. The Pro Bike class starts at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday.
GNCC XC1 Pro Results
- Charlie Mullins
- Paul Whibley
- Josh Strang
- Thad DuVall
- Andrew Delong
- Steward Baylor
- Jordan Ashburn
- Ryan Sipes
- Kailub Russell - MotoSport rider
- Takeshi Koikeda
Overall National Championship Standings:
- Charlie Mullins (30)
- Paul Whibley (25)
- Josh Strang (21)
- Thad DuVall (18)
- Andrew Delong (16)
- Steward Baylor (15)
- Jordan Ashburn (14)
- Rory Mead (13)
- Ricky Russell (12)
- Shane Hufford (11)
