Ricky Russell Wins Tiger Run GNCC
F
our rounds, four different
winners. That's the story of
this year's Grand National Cross-
Country Series so far. The latest
to stand atop of the center of the
podium was AmPro Yamaha's
Ricky Russell at the Tiger Run
GNCC in Union, South Carolina,
April 2.
Other than the first nine miles,
which was led by Babbitt's Mon
-
ster Energy Kawasaki's Josh
Strang, Russell commanded the
remainder of the race, pulling
away to as much as a 34-second
lead at one point and then finish
-
ing the race with an 18-second
margin of victory over round-one
winner Steward Baylor (Tely
Energy Racing/Rocky Mountain
ATV-MC KTM Racing).
Despite a heartbreaking DNF
at the previous round under the
inclement conditions in Georgia,
Russell feels he still has a strong
shot at the title.
"I started the season kind of
slow due to my shoulder injury,
and I just kind of took it easy at
the first two rounds," said Rus
-
sell. "But now I'm feeling stron-
ger with each race and we have
the bike dialed in perfect. Even
with the DNF in Georgia, I think
we are still in the championship
hunt."
So far this year, Russell has a
third and a fourth to go with his
win (in addition to the DNF), and
sits fourth in the series stand
-
ings with nine rounds remaining.
"After the last race, everyone
thinks we are out of it, but we
aren't out of it," added Russell.
"We just gotta win some races
and we're right back in the points
race."
Baylor took over the "white-
plate" signifying the champion
-
ship lead with a second-overall
finish, six points ahead of KTM's
Ben Kelley. Baylor moved up
from a mid-pack start to the
runner-up slot, eventually com
-
WIND
IN THE
P48
Ricky Russell is now
the fourth different
winner in this year's
GNCC Championship.
PHOTOS: KEN HILL
