RUSSELL AIMING FOR GNCC HAT TRICK AT STEELE CREEK

Leading everyone home so far in the 2015 GNCC series, KTM’s Kailub Russell eyes up a hat trick of wins at round three in Steele Creek…

The 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, heads to Morganton, North Carolina this Sunday, March 29, for round three of the 13-race championship series.

With two wins behind him already, two-time GNCC National Champion Kailub Russell (KTM) looks to make it three-in-a-row at this weekend’s FMF Steele Creek GNCC, an event that is now considered his home race.

Another North Carolina transplant, Josh Strang, will also attempt to utilize the home turf advantage this Sunday as he looks to capture his first victory of the season. The Husqvarna rider, who is also the 2010 GNCC National Champion, currently sits only ten points back in second place and remains the closest rider to Russell’s recent reign over the XC1 Pro class.

© Ken Hill

Husqvarna’s Thad DuVall sits in third place following his podium result at the last round. DuVall is two points clear of Honda’s Chris Bach, as both riders have maintained consistent top five finishes through the first two rounds. 

Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn didn’t get the start he was looking for at round one but the Tennessee native bounced back at the second round to capture fourth overall. Ashburn – who holds rank #3 from 2014 – is a tough competitor and will undoubtedly be a podium contender once again this season.

Ashburn’s teammate and XC1 Pro class rookie, Grant Baylor, sits close behind in the overall standings as he continues to build his career in the premier ranks.

© Ken Hill

Husqvarna’s Nick Davis holds the early lead in the XC2 Pro Lites class despite a hard charge from Jason Thomas (KTM). The pair have a win each as they head into round three and are split by a four-point difference in the class standings.

XC2 Pro Lites rookie Craig Delong currently holds third position, with Honda’s Layne Michael in fourth and Beta’s Cory Buttrick rounding out the top five in the class.

The 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series returns to action this weekend, March 28/29 for the FMF Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton, North Carolina. 

Overall National Championship Standings

Kailub Russell (60)

Josh Strang (50)

Thad DuVall (39)

Chris Bach (37)

Nick Davis (28)

Jordan Ashburn (28)

Grant Baylor (26)

Jason Thomas (26)

Tyler Medaglia (26)

Craig DeLong (16)

XC2 Series Standings

Nick Davis (55)

Jason Thomas (51)

Craig Delong (34)

Layne Michael (31)

Cory Buttrick (29)

Ricky Russell (25)

Brad Bakken (23)

Trevor Bollinger (23)

Tegan Temple (19)

Phillipe Chaine (17)