VOL. 55 ISSUE 19 MAY 15, 2018 P77
BY SHAN MOORE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN HILL
A
trend has started to develop in the last few rounds of the Grand
National Cross Country Series: Kailub Russell jumps out to the early
lead, gets chased down by Thad Duvall, setting things up for a final-lap
showdown between the two rivals for the overall victory. This was again the
scenario at the X-Factor Whitetails Hunting Ranch in Peru, Indiana, and for the
fifth time in six races, the FMF KTM rider held off Duvall to take the win.
While the last half of the three-hour race was business as usual, with Duvall
chasing Russell to the finish, Steward Baylor led most of the first hour of rac-
ing. At one point the Tely Energy Racing KTM rider even threatened to run
away with the race. However, a dislodged footpeg heading into the second
hour of racing foiled the South Carolina rider's bid for his first GNCC win of the
season and dropped him out of contention for the win.
Kailub Russell (1) leads
Thad Duvall through the
woods late in the race.
