STRANG TWO-FOR-TWO IN GNCC
R
ockstar Energy Husqvarna's
Josh Strang helped himself
to his second win in as many
races, this time at the inaugural
Maxxis Cannonball GNCC in
Sparta, Georgia, round two of
the 2016 AMSOIL Grand Na-
tional Cross Country Series. The
Georgia heat played a role in the
outcome of the race, as early
leader Kailub Russell ran out
of steam on the final lap, suc-
cumbing to Strang and settling
for a runner-up finish. Steward
Baylor rounded out the XC1 Pro
podium with a surprising third-
place finish, although it was JCR
Honda's XC2 rider Trevor Bol-
linger who was third overall (on
adjusted time).
FMF KTM Factory rider Kailub
Russell start out the day strong,
taking the All Balls Racing
holeshot and the early lead, but
it wasn't long before Rockstar
Energy Racing's Josh Strang
was on his tail. Russell was able
to pull a gap over Strang, which
he held for much of the race,
but it all changed in the final two
laps.
Strang started closing in on
Russell late in the race, and
was again on his rear fender
by the time the white flag came
out. Russell was struggling in
the heat, and stopped for a
drink where he then bobbled
and stalled his bike. From there
Strang was able to carry the
lead to the finish.
"On the third lap I got caught
up in a vine and that put me
back a little," said Strang. "I had
to ride pretty hard to catch back
up and I was able to make the
pass and put a little gap on him
after Russell stalled in the pits.
It was a fun race and it's good to
get another win."
"I haven't been on the bike
IN
THE
WIND
P40
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
KEN
HILL
Josh Strang has
officially started a
win streak in the
GNCC series after
topping round two
in Georgia.
