FMF/KTM Team riders Cory Buttrick and Kailub Russell both earned runner up positions at the 7th round of the GNCC Series. RPM/KTM rider Maria Forsberg won her 5th straight race in a row. KTM Racing News.
Somerset, PA – FMF/KTM riders Cory Buttrick and Kailub Russell both landed on the podium at the seventh round of the GNCC Series after each earning 2nd overall in their respective classes.
Buttrick started the XC1 Pro race in 2nd place around the first turn and had moved into the lead by turn two. Buttrick led the majority of the first lap before being passed by his teammate Nate Kanney who led the race as they passed the check point at the end of lap one with Buttrick right behind him.
Kanney, Buttrick and Barry Hawk marked the top three as the second lap began. The three swapped positions multiple times the next few laps with Kanney leading the end of the second lap and Buttrick leading after the third lap. “It was really fun today. I would be leading Nate and then a lapper would get in my way and he would go around me. Then moments later the same would happen to him and I would get back around. It was cool to be battling for the lead with my teammate,” remarked Buttrick.
Soon Charles Mullins had moved up into the mix for the lead position and it became a four-way battle for the number one spot. “I felt great out there,” remarked Kanney. “My bike was running great the whole race and every time someone caught me I was able to increase my speed and get right back around them.”
Unfortunately, during the battle for the lead, Kanney suffered a big crash on lap five sending his bike to the ground and his body into a tree. Kanney was down for about a minute before he recovered and continued to race. “I was really bummed after my crash because I felt so good today. I tried to make back the time I lost but it was so close to the end of the race, I didn’t have enough time. I am just glad to know that I was able to run the pace needed to lead the race today and that I will be healthy for the next round.”
When the checkered flag flew, Mullins took the win and Buttrick finished 2nd overall. Kanney was able to finish in 5th place after his crash.
The XC2 Pro Lites class also had its share number of crashes as the muddy and rocky course proved to be one of the most challenging courses so far this season. Rookie FMF/KTM rider Steward Baylor nailed the holeshot on his 250 XC two-stroke, followed by Jason Thomas and fellow FMF/KTM rider and current points leader Kailub Russell. Shortly into the race, Russell had his first crash of the day.
“I think I fell three times on the first lap. I was just having an off day and making rookie mistakes,” remarked Russell. Despite his early race crashes, Russell was able to pass the entire field before the end of the first lap and came across in the lead at the completion of lap one.
A crash on the second lap allowed Thomas back by and the remainder of the race Russell had to play catch up to make up for time lost during his crashes. “Unfortunately I didn’t perform the best today and the win went to Jason. I am happy to still be in the points lead but will definitely shoot for being back on top of the podium at the next round,” stated Russell.
Baylor, who dropped to 3rd after his early holeshot, had a pretty good lead on the 4th place runner nearing the final lap. Unfortunately, he got stuck in a mud hole which allowed the 4th place bike of KTM rider Jesse Robinson to get around him and take the 3rd place position. Baylor finished 4th overall putting three KTM riders in the top five.
For the fifth straight race in a row, RPM/KTM rider Maria Forsberg dominated the Women’s class and took home another win. She continues to lead the points as the series heads to round 8.
Next Event – Millfield, OH – June 6, 2010 – Round 8
Overall Results XC1 –
1. Charles Mullins
2. Cory Buttrick – KTM
3. Barry Hawk
4. Paul Whibley
5. Nate Kanney – KTM
6. Glenn Kearney
7. Josh Strang
8. Kenneth Gilbert
9. Jedediah Haines
10. Eric Bailey
Overall Results XC2 Pro Lites –
1. Jason Thomas
2. Kailub Russell – KTM
3. Jesse Robinson – KTM
4. Steward Baylor – KTM
5. Scott Watkins
6. Dustin Gibson – KTM
7. Charles Huegel
8. Brian Lawson
9. David Synder
10. Ryan Echols – KTM
Overall Results (all classes combined) –
1. Charles Mullins
2. Cory Buttrick – KTM
3. Barry Hawk
4. Jason Thomas
5. Paul Whibley
6. Kailub Russell – KTM
7. Jesse Robinson – KTM
8. Nate Kanney – KTM
9. Steward Baylor – KTM
10. Glenn Kearney
Overall Points XC1 –
1. Josh Strang – 171
2. Charles Mullins – 168
3. Paul Whibley – 131
4. Cory Buttrick – 124
5. Chris Bach – 109
Overall Points XC2 Pro Lites –
1. Kailub Russell – 196
2. Jason Thomas – 169
3. Jesse Robinson – 150
4. Scott Watkins – 122
5. Steward Baylor – 118
