Round four, the Bulldog, of the 2020 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series concluded on Sunday, May 17 in Washington, Georgia.
As the green flag waved it was FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell jumping out to grab the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot. K. Russell headed into the woods first, and didn’t look back. As the race wore on, K. Russell maintained the lead throughout the duration of the race. K. Russell would face a last lap battle with Coastal Racing Husqvarna’s Ricky Russell, however, after a crash in the woods R. Russell would be unable to finish the race. K. Russell came through to the checkered flag 4.2 seconds ahead of second place.
Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Josh Strang worked his way to another second place overall finish after starting his day mid-pack. As the white flag flew Strang turned it up a notch, closing the gap between himself and K. Russell. Strang currently sits second in the points standings after four rounds of racing.
Coming through to earn third in the XC1 Open Pro class and fourth overall was AmPro Yamaha’s Layne Michael. After a strong start to the day, Michael found himself second overall throughout the first two laps of racing. Michael would battle throughout the day, but would hold onto third place in his class at the completion of three hours.
In the WXC race it was BABs Racing Yamaha/Maxxis’ Becca Sheets picking up where she left off at the last GNCC event, earning herself another overall win in the 10 a.m. race. Rockstar Energy/LanMills XC Tayla Jones battled her way through the pack, clinching second overall and in the WXC class. AmPro Yamaha’s Rachael Archer brought home a third place finish in WXC at the Bulldog GNCC. Jumping off the line first earning the $100 Trail Jesters Holeshot award was Enduro Engineering/MEPMX/Fly Racing/KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker.
When the checkered flag flew at the conclusion of the 8 a.m. youth race it was Team Green Kawasaki’s Jack Joy earning the overall win and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class win. Fellow Team Green Kawasaki rider Grant Davis battled back and forth throughout the race, earning second overall on the day. Rounding out the youth top three overall was YXC1 Super Mini Sr. competitor Cole Forbes.