GIRROIR TOPS THE BAYLOR BROTHERS IN XC1 & & RIORDAN WINS BY 2 SECONDS IN XC2
On Sunday, February 18, 2024, the Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series provided by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, concluded its season opener at the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina. The cooler temperature levels just produced more extreme heated fights on the track throughout the course of the weekend.
As the afternoon race got underway it was AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell leaping off the line initially to get the $250 Steel City Medical Center XC1 Open Pro Holeshot Award to begin his day. It didn’t appear to take FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Jonathan Girroir long to make the pass for the lead as they made their method through the course on the opening lap.
Jonathan Girroir (FMF KTM Factory Racing) made the season opener win in South Carolina. Image: Ken Hill
Girroir would continue to hold the lead with Russell behind him in 2nd for the very first 4 laps of the race. Russell would regrettably fall back to 6th as they came through the goal with one lap staying. Rocky Mountain Red Bear Steward Baylor had actually made the needed relocations originating from 6th location to 3rd and after that into 2nd by the time the white flag was flying. Girroir was ahead by 25 seconds, however Baylor continued to press on as they entered the goal it was Girroir making his 2nd profession total win with an 11 2nd lead over Baylor who made 2nd total at the opening round in South Carolina.
Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Grant Baylor had his work cut out for him as he drew back in the 14 location position on the very first lap. Grant put his head down and continued pressing as the laps advanced, Grant would make the essential transfer to put himself in contention for a podium on the last lap. Grant would make the hand down Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn for 3rd on the last lap, and eventually crossing the goal to make the last podium area.
After running inside the leading 5 throughout of the race, Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn had actually discovered himself in 3rd location throughout the last lap, nevertheless, G. Baylor would make the pass stick on Ashburn before entering the goal. Ashburn would hang on to complete out the day 4th total.
Steward Baylor (Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki) fought back to make 2nd general at round one. Picture: Ken Hill
Blud Lubricants/Scott Goggles/FXR’s Evan Smith put in a terrific trip at the opening round of the 2024 season as he fought back from a 13 location start to the day to having his profession finest surface of 5th total and in the XC1 Open Pro class.