Kailub Russel Claims Fifth GNCC Title

FMF KTM Factory Racing Team’s Kailub Russell wrapped up his fifth consecutive GNCC Overall National Championship on Sunday at Round 12 of the Grand National Cross Country Series in Ohio. Russell’s championship-winning performance also marks his 46th career victory, where he now sits tied with Scott Summers for the most overall wins in GNCC history. The success didn’t stop there for the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team, as Russell Bobbitt joined his teammate atop the box with a GNCC career-best finish of third overall at Powerline Park.

Kailub Russell came into the penultimate round with a favourable position in the overall championship standings and the Ohio native knew what he needed to do leave a five-time champion. Rain began to fall at the start of the afternoon race but Russell was able to put his KTM 350 XC-F into the second place position off the start. Despite the muddy conditions, Russell quickly vaulted himself into the lead by lap two and he never looked back

Kailub Russell: “I got off to a top-five start and got into the lead just before the rain started to come down too much. I put in a few solid laps to build a lead and held on to the finish. It was a really fun technical track with the rain and I just had a good time riding my bike today. It’s been a great year, I’m happy to get championship win number five and tie the all-time win record.”

Antti Kallonen, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “I want to congratulate Kailub on his fifth consecutive championship – this year it didn’t come easy, it was for sure one of the toughest years. It’s been great to work with Kailub throughout his whole career and being with him for every championship step-by-step, and now the fifth one is the best. It’s not a one-man show so I want to thank the whole team for all of these accomplishments, it doesn’t come with just one man doing the work. It’s the entire team I want to thank for a successful season and we’re looking forward to more!”

Overall Results (XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Combined)

1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Josh Strang (HQV)
3. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
4. Grant Baylor (HQV)
5. Craig DeLong (HQV)

Overall Point Standings

1. Kailub Russell (290)
2. Thad DuVall (202)
3. Ricky Russell (199)
4. Steward Baylor Jr. (193)
5. Josh Toth (180)
6. Grant Baylor (162)
8. Trevor Bollinger (137)
9. Craig DeLong (130)
10. Layne Michael (130)