Duvall Takes X-Factor

Thad Duvall wins a muddy mayhem X-Factor GNCC

 

  

Photo Credit: Ken Hill

Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall proves the mud maestro at X-Factor GNCC as problems hit championship leader Kailub Russell dropping him to 14th.

After several days of rainfall in Peru, Indiana the 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, continued with the inaugural X-Factor GNCC. For the first time since 2013's Mammoth GNCC, Racer Productions made the decision to combine the morning amateur race with the afternoon pro race.

At the conclusion of the two-hour race on an eight-mile long racecourse it was Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing's Thad Duvall who took home his first overall win of the season. 

However, it would not be an easy task for Duvall as it was N-Fab AmPro Yamaha's Ricky Russell who got the $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award. R Russell led the first two laps, but would eventually fall back two positions ultimately earning his season best finish of third overall.

Duvall's teammate, Josh Strang, was also off to a good start where he would work his way into his first second place finish of the season by the end of the four-lap race. FMF/Maxxis/RPM KTM Racing Team's Chris Bach finished just off the podium with his second fourth overall finish in 2017.

 

Photo Credit: Ken Hill

 

After a favourable start behind R Russell, Beta USA's Jordan Ashburn would find himself tangled in a power washer cord after a brief pit stop. Ashburn would fall back to 8th as he checked into timing and scoring on the first lap, but put on a hard charge eventually ended the day with an remarkable fifth overall.

After heading into the woods in the back of the XC1 pack, JCR Honda's Trevor Bollinger plowed his way through the mud for a sixth place finish in XC1 and an 11th overall. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna-backed rider Grant Baylor started the day with an unfavourable 11th place position as they came around the course after one lap. 

G Baylor would work his way up to seventh in XC1, while still finishing just outside the top 10 overall in 12th.

FMF/KTM Factory Racing and defending GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell would find himself heading into the woods last off the start after falling in the second turn with another rider. K Russell and teammate, Russell Bobbitt, would finish the day out in the eighth and ninth place positions of the XC1 Pro class. 

K Russell would finish 14th overall, while Bobbitt salvaged a 20th overall finish. SRT/KTM rider, and round 1 winner, Steward Baylor would complete his first lap in the fourth place position. Unfortunately this would be the only glimpse anyone caught of S Baylor, as his race ended after that first lap due to an illness.

XC1 Open Pro Event Results

1 Thad Duvall (HSQ)

2 Josh Strang (HSQ)

3 Ricky Russell (YAM)

4 Chris Bach (HON)

5 Jordan Ashburn (BET)

6 Trevor Bollinger (HON)

7 Grant Baylor (YAM)

8 Kailub Russell (KTM)

9 Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

10 Scott Grills (HSQ)