Yadkinville, NC - He's conquered massive hill climbs, deep mud, huge boulders and the best off-road riders in the world, but Red Bull KTM's David Knight will attempt an even more difficult challenge this weekend when he races twice in one weekend on two different sides of the country. The series points leader in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series will race the Maxxis EnduroCross in Denver, Colorado on Saturday night, then step onto a private jet and fly to North Carolina overnight to compete in the Elka Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC on Sunday afternoon.
"I'm glad I got the win and made some points at the last one, because this weekend is going to be really tough," says Knighter. "I could be completely knackered by Sunday!"
His competitors see this as possibly the last opportunity to get in front of Knight in the GNCC standings, as just three rounds remain in the '07 tour. The Am-Pro Yamaha offensive of Barry Hawk and Charlie Mullins have had troubles lately. Assorted small mechanical issues ruined Mullins at the last three races, while Hawk following up a win in Pennsylvania with a seventh at the last event while struggling with the front end of his machine. Hawk and Mullins both claim their troubles are fixed now.
But they'll face the surging Team FMF Suzuki squad, with Ohio veteran Jimmy Jarrett landing four podiums in the last five rounds, including back-to-back runner-up finishes, and his young Australian teammate Josh Strang grabbing a rostrum spot at the last race. The other Aussie on the squad, Glen Kearney, needs a podium very badly. After starting the season strong he has struggled and now--like many riders on the tour--needs better results to help contract negotiations for 2008.
The Mid-East Hare Scrambles Series held a race in nearby NC last weekend, and Parts Unlimited Moose Honda rider Paul Whibley won it, making him a favorite this weekend. Home court advantage may work in the favor of Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki FAR pro rookie Jesse Robinson, who lives in North Carolina and finished second behind Whibley at that event. Also, Am-Pro Yamaha's Jason Raines continues his comeback after two years off with injuries, and he claims to have made big changes to his WR450F after a few weeks of testing.
You can never count out Kawasaki privateer Garrett Edmisten, either, as the rookie still sits fourth in points--just ten behind Mullins for third, and his determination and consistency makes him a threat every time he lines up.