Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Round 3: Steele Creek Campground duck under a concrete bridge before charging into a pool of water. Just under 1200 racers competed throughout the weekend, and the event was co-sanctioned by SE&TRA, the Southeastern Enduro and Trail Rider's Association. Hawk co tinued his ~ak by Y1 gging el holesh on his ah ,an is t;am te Raines quick I tcheCi onto hi _n--atr-b'~ front f the\ pack. Knowing a lot ould happeXas th day unfolded, the uo put it 0 cruise co trol and waited r the pac to come a~ them. "I wJs just a lit Ie tight early and I though if I t 'ed to turn' up too much, 'ght pump up bad and make thihgs worse," Hawk said. "I heard them coming, but I didn't know they would be coming that strong," Raines said. The rest of the pack was indeed hard on the charge, as a whole swarm of riders came toward the front. First was a group of Suzuki riders: K'iedrowski, Steve Hatch and Smith, followed closely by Lafferty and R.E.R. Cycle's McLevy. That pack started shuffling positions back and forth in an incredible duel. The only top contender missing from the battle was Andrews, who was third early but crashed into the back of the pack. He would spend the rest of the race trying to come from behind. After the Yamahas dominated early, Suzuki took its turn at the front of the pack. Hatch emerged with the lead, and Kiedrowski and Smith my Own Race cB Steve Hatchlast year battling injury and illness, but he proved he still has the speed 8th Hatch has spent the to win. After a midpack start, the Arizona native charged aU the way up into the lead before tiring due to illness in the latter portion ofthe race. "He was actually on IVs for the lasl week," said Hatch's mechanic Matt Leach. "We just wanted to see if we have the speed, and now we know we do." ® Fred Andrews {] Mike Lafferty APRIL 2.2003' cue I e 5th After a big win at the previous race in Georgia, "Junior" Lafferty looked strong at Steele Creek. But after getting into third with two laps left, the New Jersey native started to feel a little sick in the final hour of the race, and he dropped his pace just slightly and cruised home fifth. "I'm used to feeling sick after the race," Lafferty said. "This time it happened during it." {§3 Jason Raines 4th Raines latched on to his teammate Hawk early, and he had fun. "I got behind Barry, and I could almost see him take a breath when he saw it was me behind him," Raines said. "I saw him take his hands off the bars to get rid of some of the [arml pump. Normally you wouldn't do that unless it's your teammate behind you." Unfortunately, Raines was eaten up by the swarming pack behind him, and he had to dig deep to grind out fourth late in the race. "I just wasn't flowing out there like I wanted to," said the Washington native. "But I had a good last lap; that was my saving grace." stayed with him. Only McLevy, who was absolutely flying on his privateer Yamaha effort, was able to split the Suzuki pack. Lafferty also slotted himself into contention, which dropped the Yamaha duo in the back of the freight train. As the two-lap board came out in the six-lap race, about two hours in, a few of the riders began to fade as the 20 7th As usual, "Fast" Freddy's GNCC season is starting terribly, and his bad luck continued in North Carolina. The Team Green rider started strong, but he crashed back early and was left in comeback mode throughout the race. "It was my own fault," Andrews said. "I just lost the front end on a root, and after that I was at the back of the bus." With a DNF in the mud of round one and engine troubles dropping him back at round two, Andrews will have to go into his standard comeback mode to get into contention for this year's GNCC title. {] 1] 1] Josh McLevy 9th The privateer from New England charged superhard early but hit the wall big time iate in the race. "I think I rode too much during the week," said a visibly tired McLevy. "I have nothing left." n e vv s

• Cover