Morgantown, W.Va. (March 4, 2010) - The opening round of the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country season saw thrilling wheel-to-wheel action from the top three XC1 ATV riders, Yoshimura/Suzuki mounted Chris Borich, Yamaha's Taylor Kiser and Warnert Can-Am's Adam McGill, as they battled down to the wire at the Parts Unlimited River Ranch GNCC.
While in 2009, Borich was able to run away with the championship with 10 wins and a 100 point margin over Kiser, after the Florida event, many speculate that this year, the Suzuki rider won't have an easy time defending his first championship. The three riders finished just seconds apart after a tough race in the Florida sand.
Last year, McGill was unable to clinch a win while competing on the FRE KTM team, but at the Ranch, he was the first to lead the 2-hour race on the Can-Am DS450. Even though McGill is new to the team this year, it is apparent he will be a threat on the course. Kiser also had a strong 2009 season, and leaped from 6th in the series to 2nd by the end of the year. In Florida, Kiser nipped at Borich's heels until the end of race, with McGill just seconds behind. Another big surprise of the opening round is Can-Am's Chris Bithell who after a 6th place start, moved up to 2nd in the second lap. Bithell ran in the top 3 riders until the final lap and finished less than a minute behind the top riders.
But with less than a week between the Florida and Georgia rounds, the true test will be who is in the best shape. The Florida track was brutal and riders will need to rest before this weekend's Maxxis General GNCC. In 2009, Borich, McGill and Kiser finished in the top three at both Florida and Georgia, but with Borich without full support on the Suzuki team, and McGill on a new ride, it will be hard to tell who could take the win.
Not to be counted out of a win at the General is the rest of the supremely talented top ten, Yamaha's Bill Ballance and Johnny Gallagher both had strong showings in the opening round with 5th and 8th place finishes, respectively, and Donnie Ockerman in 9th. FRE KTM's new rider Bryan Cook also had a top 10 finish on his new ride and National Guard Polaris rider Jarrod McClure broke the top ten with a 6th place finish. Jeffrey Pickens, number 15 in the series, riding a Yamaha, also saw a top 10 finish, breaking up the usual leaders and Yamaha's Brandon Sommers, despite still recovering from mono, finished 12th.
The race takes place at the Aonia Pass motocross facility, located in Wilkes County between Athens and Augusta. From Atlanta: Take Interstate 20 East to exit #160 (Hwy 223 Norwood Exit). Go left and travel on Hwy 223 until it dead-ends with Hwy 78 (roughly 12-15 miles). Turn right on Hwy 78. The General is 2.5 miles down on your right (look for the Aonia Pass Motoplex sign). For more information, log on to www.gnccracing.com or call 304-284-0084.
Spectator passes run $15 for the entire weekend, with access to the pro pit area included. Children six and under are admitted free. On both days, youth riders race at 8 a.m., amateur riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.
About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com .