Kelley Dominates Wild Boar GNCC
B
en Kelley flexed his off-road
muscles at Wild Boar GNCC
in Palatka, Florida, March 6, turn-
ing in one of the most dominating
performances in GNCC history.
After nearly three hours of rac-
ing, the FMF/KTM Factory rider
claimed an impressive four-min-
ute victory ahead of 2021 ISDE
individual winner Josep Garcia
(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Typically, one of the most gru-
eling races on the schedule due
to the deep sand that forms bike-
swallowing whoops and ruts,
this year's race was somewhat
different from past races in that
instead of mud holes there was
dust thanks to the dry conditions
that the area has experienced
lately. Regardless, the 12-mile
course was brutal just the same,
and Kelley handled it well, look-
ing noticeably fresher than the
competition at the finish.
"Every other year I'm com-
pletely drained at the end of this
race, so it's crazy how good I
felt out there," said Kelley. "I've
been down here in Florida for the
past two months riding at Ranch
Russell so I'm in shape. It wasn't
easy, that's for sure, but I was
just trying to have fun and save
energy as much as I could and it
worked out in the end."
Jordan Ashburn, who finished
third, grabbed the holeshot to
start the race and ran second
after being passed by Kelley at
the halfway mark. The Magna1
Motorsports/Husqvarna rider
held onto second place until just
a few miles from the finish, when
he handed the runner-up slot to
Garcia by tucking the front end
and tipping over. Garcia said
thank you and went on to finish
second, while Ashburn remount-
ed for third.
Kelley never put a foot wrong
IN
THE
WIND
P38
Ben Kelley made it two wins
in a row after topping the
Wild Boar GNCC in Palatka,
Florida.
PHOTOS: KEN HILL
