2012 GNCC Series
Factory FMF/KTM riders Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins topped the podium at the eleventh round of the GNCC Series held at Power Line Park finishing first and second respectively.
The overall win was a big boost for Russell who is now only four points behind Paul Whibley in the overall championship point standings.
Russell and Mullins both started the race inside the top three. By the end of the first lap both riders had passed Whibley and began to charge forward out front. After Whibley suffered a crash, it was just the two FMF/KTM teammates battling out front for the remainder of the three-hour endurance race.
On the final lap, Mullins was able to make a pass on Russell for the lead but made a mistake shortly after that allowed Russell to get back by. When the riders approached the finish line they were wheel to wheel. With a little extra gas, Russell was able to edge out his teammate to collect the win.
Antti Kallonen (FMF/KTM Team Manager) says: “We are very proud of both of our riders today. Mullins is still riding injured after hurting his shoulder at the ISDE and we are thrilled that he was able to give such an impressive performance today. Russell also rode strong all day and is very determined to keep his bike on the top step of the podium in the final two rounds. The points chase is very close and we expect it will come down to the wire.”
The Factory FMF/KTM Team had even more to celebrate this weekend after the reigning Women’s GNCC Champion, Maria Forsberg, won the women’s class but also took the overall in the morning class. This is the first time a female rider has won the overall in the morning class at a GNCC event.
Maria Forsberg says: “It feels great to get the overall win. It has been our goal since the beginning of the year and we have come so close a few times but finally got it today. It is always a good feeling to win your class but to lead the overall is an accomplishment I am very proud of.”
Next Event: Crawfordsville, IN – October 20-21, 2012
Power Line GNCC Overall Results XC1 Class:
- Kailub Russell – KTM
- Charlie Mullins – KTM
- Paul Whibley
- Thad Duvall
- Rory Mead – KTM
- Takeshi Koikeda – KTM
- Garrett Edmisten
- Jordan Ashburn
- Jimmy Jarrett
- Nathan Kanney
Power Line GNCC Overall Results XC2 Class:
- Jason Thomas – KTM
- Aaron Plessinger
- Andrew Delong
- Scott Grills
- Steward Baylor – KTM
- Jedediah Haines
- Christopher Douglas – KTM
- Zach Nolan – KTM
- AJ Stewart
- Ryan Lojak
Power Line GNCC Overall Results Women’s Class:
- Maria Forsberg – KTM
- Becca Sheets
- Samantha Steiner – KTM
- Sarah Baldwin – KTM
- Leann Bange
Overall Point Standings XC1 Class:
- Paul Whibley – 274
- Kailub Russell – 270
- Rory Mead – 205
Overall Point Standings XC2 Class:
- Jason Thomas – 241
- Steward Baylor – 237
- Andrew Delong – 229
Overall Point Standings Women’s Class:
- Maria Forsberg – 180 *Champion
- Hannah Otto – 153
- Becca Sheets – 146
