the front. Barnes also increased
his pace and moved toward the
front, settling into third, with Wit-
kowski right behind after battling
with Baylor for a lap.
Davis regained the lead from
Kelley during their pit stops, but
Kelley managed to will his way to
the front for the win.
"It was brutal out there," said
Kelley. "I ripped a good start
but stalled it in that first corner.
I knew I was going to have to
work through the pack, but this
race was rough. So, I just tried to
conserve energy and pick guys
off one at a time, but you had to
use a lot of energy. So, I'd pass
someone, and then I'd conserve
and just slowly make my way to
the lead and stay steady. Grant
was pushing me on laps four
and five, and I was just staying
smooth, holding my lines. He
got by me in the pits, and he was
ripping. I just laid the hammer
down, got past him, and was
able to take the win.
Davis proved he's still climb
-
ing up the ranks by running in
second place for most of the
race and leading during some
laps. "I was second into the
woods behind Medaglia," said
Davis. "I went down at one point.
I tucked the front end and lost
it. That's when Johnny G. went
around me, but I caught back up
to him. Johnny and I were rip
-
ping together, and he let me by.
I thought, 'Oh, maybe he's letting
me lead a little.' Then I didn't see
him anymore. I don't know what
happened to him. Ben caught
up to me, so I let him pass, and I
followed him for a while. Then I
passed him in the pits and took
the lead going into the white
flag. I was thinking, 'Alright, I just
have to push to the end; I know
I can do it.' Then I hit a tree with
my broken hand. I'll take second
place for my second XC1 race
ever." [It was actually his third
XC1 race including one at the
2025 Ironman.]
Barnes had the ride of his life
with a third overall finish with a
new team and a new bike, which
he is still adjusting to.
"I think a lot of people ques
-
VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P39
Grant Davis was
second overall in XC1.
Beta's Jhak Walker took the XC2 Pro-
class win in seventh overall.
