OFF ROAD
ROUND 1 / MARCH 6, 2016
RODMAN PLANTATION / PALATKA, FLORIDA
P68
AMSOIL GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES
After that, Russell made quick
work of Bach and was even clos-
ing in on Milner for second but
ran out of time and had to settle
for third. Although it was not the
finish the defending champion
was looking for at the season
opener, it was a spectacular ride
for the factory KTM rider.
"It took me a while to get go-
ing but I rode well at the end of
the race and I felt good," said
Russell. "The track was super
rough today and I'm definitely
feeling sore after only being
back on the bike for one month
before this."
Bach collected fourth place
remaining two podium positions
heated up.
Milner, who had been hold-
ing down a top-five position for
much of the day, put on a charge
and moved forward. Despite
the rough and muddy Florida
course, Milner found some
late-race speed and worked his
way into second. Hot on Milner's
heels was a hard-charging Kai-
lub Russell, who had spent the
previous two hours and 45 min-
utes working his way through the
XC1 pack. Russell broke through
into third place on the final lap
after making a spectacular pass
on Ryan Sipes in a mud hole.
late-race pass on Strang, which
resulted in another crash for the
JCR Honda rider. Bach was able
to recover from the substantial
get-off and get back into the
race, although his pace was
slowed after that. Despite his
efforts to finish out the race on
the podium, he slid back to a
disappointing fourth place in the
final miles of the race.
Bach's misfortune left Strang
with a near 30-second lead over
the field as he clicked off the
final laps to the checkered flag.
Behind him, the race for the
Chris Bach had to settle for fourth
after getting off to a strong start.
