VOLUME 56 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 13, 2019 P41
Having also won the title in
2015, Russell became the first
two-time champion of the series.
Heading into this season, Russell
hadn't competed in the series
since his championship season
in 2015.
"I don't feel like I've missed a
beat from 2015," said Russell. "I
prepared for it a little bit, just to
get back in the routine of sprint-
ing in a different way. It's a differ-
ent aspect of racing."
Duvall was consistent all week-
end en route to the runner-up slot
but just a shade off of Russell's
times, although the Rockstar
Energy Husqvarna rider came on
strong in the end, finishing off the
weekend with a pair of wins in the
final two tests.
"I just felt like I had the speed
today for sure," said Duvall. "I just
couldn't limit the mistakes, and
when I did, I was able to get a
couple of wins. I need to be bet-
ter on Saturdays and stay within
striking distance for Sundays."
As usual, Josh Strang's stron-
gest performances were in the
cross tests, and the Babbitt's
Monster Energy Kawasaki rider
came away with three cross test
wins to wrap up third overall on
the day.
"My times in the cross test
were good and competitive; I
think I won three out of six, which
is good," said the defending
series champ. "In the enduro test,
I was just a little off. I felt like I was
riding well. On five out of the six,
I felt comfortable and fairly good,
just not as fast as Kailub and
Thad. Then the second [cross]
test on Saturday, I wrapped the
brake pedal around my footpeg,
so I kind of ruined Saturday. That
messed me up a little bit for the
overall."
Just four weeks back in action
following a lengthy struggle with a
shoulder injury and two surgeries,
Husqvarna-backed Layne Michael
turned in a solid performance for
fourth overall, missing the podium
(Above) Thad Duvall was, once again,
right in the thick of things but came
up just short for second overall.
Evan Smith on the Pro 2 class.
