Another overall win for Kaillub Russel at the third round of the 2020 Full Gas Sprint Enduro Championship at Rockrusher Farm thanks to an over 16 second lead on Saturday – Josh Strang finished first on Sunday for second overall.

The weekend started out wet and slick, after spotty rain showers on Friday left the course a little greasy on Saturday morning, although it tacked up nice by Saturday afternoon. Russell ripped off an incredible time in the second test of the day, the Enduro test, which was 11 seconds faster than Strang and Strang’s teammate Jordan Ashburn, who was actually second-fastest in the test.

Russell’s “burner” put the North Carolina rider in a position no one else could touch all day, leading to Saturday’s individual win by over 16 seconds, with Strang second and Trail Jesters Racing KTM’s Johnny Girrior in third (First Pro2 rider), another half second behind Strang.

Russell carried that cushion into Sunday, and although Strang topped Russell in Sunday’s results by over 2 seconds, Russell took the overall victory by a comfortable margin, just under 13 seconds. 

“I was able to get the win on day one,” said Russell. “On day two, I rode well for the most part, although Strang picked it up. I had a fall in the first Enduro test (second test of the day), and pretty much threw away the opportunity to open up a lead and kind of break their spirits. I still won the test, even falling, but I was pretty frustrated with that. I’d like to have the win and the five points on both days, but we are tied on points again. I’m bummed I let it slip away though.”

Rockcrusher to 10 results: 

1. Kailub Russell (KTM) Saturday + Sunday 1:24:11.549
2. Josh Strang (KAW) Saturday + Sunday 1:24:25.121
3. Johnny Girroir (KTM) Saturday + Sunday 1:25:25.396
4. Layne Michael (YAM) Saturday + Sunday 1:25:42.081
5. Jordan Ashburn (KAW) Saturday + Sunday 1:26:20.492
6. Liam Draper (KTM) Saturday + Sunday 1:26:35.936
7. Jesse Ansley (KTM) Saturday + Sunday 1:27:47.967
8. Benjamin Herrera (BET) Saturday + Sunday 1:27:59.229
9. Ben Nelko (HSQ) Saturday + Sunday 1:30:20.487
10. Dalton Seals (YAM) Saturday + Sunday 1:32:08.252

Overcautiousness got Strang

Strang continues to ride well in his second year on the Kawasaki, and has been a thorn in Russell’s side all year. “Similar to the West Virginia race, I had a pretty good weekend,” said Strang. “The only real test I lost time on was that first Enduro test on Saturday. It was a little wet and I honestly think I was just too cautious and Kailub put over 10 seconds on me. Every other test I was fairly close. I think there were a couple tests where he put four seconds on me. But today, in the two last Enduro tests, I put four on him, eight in total. If not for that first test. I’m staying fairly smooth for the most part and it’s gone not too bad.”

Johnny Girrior with another third overall and first Pro2

For the second race in a row, Trail Jesters Racing KTM’s Johnny Girrior finished third overall and first in the Pro2 division, winning the third test outright on Saturday.

“It definitely got super rough in the woods, due to the moisture, but I just mentally know I can do it now,” said Girroir. “The tests were tight, so it was basically one line. Even the field got rough, but I’m just getting in better shape and smoothing out. I got a wild riding style from back in the day at J-Days and from riding two-strokes. But I’m just smoothing out and hitting all my marks, and that’s made the difference.”

Tayla Jones and Mackenzie share Women’s Pro wins

In the Women’s Pro Class, Enduro Engineering Mepmx Fly Grizzly Peak Traveler’s Rest Speedway KTM’s Mackenzie Tricker and Rockstar Husqvarna Lan Mills XC rider Tayla Jones split wins, with Jones winning Saturday’s event and Tricker taking Sunday’s.

Tricker wound up with the overall win, edging Jones by 49 seconds after Jones nailed a tree on Sunday.

“Yesterday I started off really good and then I was just missing some lines,” said Tricker. “Tayla made up the time that I had gained in the first two tests and I ended up losing in the last test by just under three seconds, or something like that. Then I started off today good with the first test. I made that time back. Then I just progressed from there. I think I won all the tests today.”

Jones made a mad dash from Tennessee on Friday to compete in the Georgia race after finishing third in the Women’s division at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills.

“Loretta’s was something new. Got to do that, but it’s completely different coming back here picking lines and hitting trees,” said Jones. “It was cool to be able to do that. Overnight we drove straight from the race. Saturday was pretty good, but today in test two I hit a tree and we think it might be a broken hand, but I’m going to go see a surgeon tomorrow and see how it goes. But I ended up second, so I can’t complain too much. It was a tough weekend for sure.”

Alberta Canada’s Shelby Turner rounded out the top three on a KTM.  

The 2020 Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series resumes on August 29-30 in Bristol, Virginia for round four of the series.

More information and full results: www.sprintenduro.com

Word and Photo Credit: Shan Moore

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