KTM’s Kailub Russell Wins The General GNCC

2014 GNCC Series Results from “The General” in Washington, Ga.

The reigning GNCC Champion, Factory FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell, won the second round of GNCC this past weekend at “The General” in Washington, Ga.

But it wasn’t an easy win; Russell, who finished a disappointing 14th overall in the opening round (Mud Mucker, Fla.), had to deal with slick conditions and mud at the Washington GNCC.

Though he started off last in the GNCC, he moved into fifth by the completion of the first lap. He then began battling for second with the winner of the opening round – KTM teammate Charlie Mullins.

Soon the battle turned into a five-way fight to the end, with each riders swapping the lead each time one had to clean their goggles or got stuck in a mud hole.

“It was such a mess out there,” stated Russell. “The rainfall caused standing water and mud all over the track so it was almost impossible to read lines. I tried to ride a smart race in order to make as few mistakes as possible which ended up paying off in the end.”

Mullins kept the lead until the fourth lap, when he got stuck and dropped to fifth. This allowed Russell to move further ahead out front, and he led the final two laps, eventually finishing four seconds ahead of XC2 Pro Lites rider and reigning XC2 Pro Lites Champion, KTM support pilot Grant Baylor.

After two rounds, Mullins has 45 points, three ahead of Paul Whibley in second. Russell is eight points behind Mullins in third.

In the Women’s WXC class, Factory FMF/KTM rider Kacy Martinez put together her second win in a row. She had a decent jump off the line and moved into the lead within the first mile of the race. At one point she had a minute and a half lead before getting stuck in the mud. She was able to recover from that mistake and climb back out to the front of the pack to take the win and increase her lead in the series point standings.

The next GNCC will get underway March 29-30 at Morganton, N.C.

2014 “The General” GNCC Overall Results (XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites combined):

1. Kailub Russell – KTM
2. Grant Baylor – KTM
3. Jordan Ashburn – Yamaha
4. Paul Whibley – Yamaha
5. Josh Strang – Yamaha
6. Charlie Mullins – KTM
7. Rory Mead – KTM
8. Steward Baylor – KTM
9. Chris Bach – Honda
10. Trevor Bollinger – Honda

Overall Point Standings XC1 Pro Class:

1. Charlie Mullins – 45
2. Paul Whibley – 43
3. Kailub Russell – 37

Overall Point Standings XC2 Pro Lites Class:

1. Rory Mead – 55
2. Grant Baylor – 45
3. Ricky Russell – 43

Overall Results Women’s (WXC) Class:

1. Kacy Martinez – KTM
2. Becca Sheets
3. Jessica Patterson
4. Brooke Cosner – KTM
5. Sarah Baldwin – KTM
6. Netelkos Eden – KTM
7. Amanda Maheu
8. Mandi Mastin – KTM
9. Cassidy Brown – KTM
10. Samantha Steiner – KTM

Overall Point Standings Women’s (WXC) Class:

1. Kacy Martinez – 40
2. Jessica Patterson – 36