Kailub Russell clinched his first GNCC title at the Ironman. Image: Ken Hill.

Heading into the final round of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, only two points separated Factory FMF/KTM teammates Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins in the National Championship standings.

The 19th running of the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC set the stage for an epic finale as it was a winner-take-all affair at the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC finale and it was Russell who prevailed, clinching his first career XC1 Overall National Championship after three-hours of close racing competition.

It wasn’t without a fight from his teammate Mullins, who lead in the early portion of the race after battling with AmPro Yamaha teammates Paul Whibley and Jordan Ashburn on the opening lap. It was Ashburn who captured the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award, as he led Whibley, Mullins, Russell and Rocky Mountain ATV/MC’s Josh Strang into the woods.

On the opening lap, GNCC officials were forced to hold Russell for 15 seconds due to an infraction on the starting line after he inadvertently started his bike prior to the green flag, indicating the start of the race.

That didn’t stop a hungry Russell from making his way to the front of the field by the end of lap one, where Mullins tucked in behind his teammate for the second place spot. The duo flip-flopped the lead a few times from there and it was Whibley who fell into the third place position early on.

However, it didn’t take long for DuVall and Strang to join Whibley for the battle. Midway through the race, DuVall and Strang made the pass on Whibley for the third place battle but just as quickly as they excelled, both riders fell victim to the rough Ironman terrain.

Strang and DuVall both experienced crashes that kept them from finishing the season finale in Indiana.

The misfortune of DuVall and Strang led to a favorable opportunity for the reigning XC1 Champion Paul Whibley, as he was able to reclaim the third place position. FMF/RPM/KTM’s Rory Mead turned it up in the second half of the race, jumping from eighth place all the way into the fourth place position. Ashburn dropped into the fifth place spot, where he then set his sights on Mead ahead.

Despite a valiant effort by Mullins, Russell was able to maintain his lead and finish 36 seconds ahead of his teammate to claim his first career XC1 Overall National Championship at the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC finale.

“It’s been great season but it hasn’t been without its struggles, that’s for sure,” Russell said. “I was forced to dig myself out of a hole in the points earlier in the season and I gave myself another shot at the championship today and it’s a great honour to be up here and battle with some of the best guys in the world.”

Only seven points away from a second career championship, the 2011 Overall National Champion Mullins finished second overall for the day at the Ironman. Mullins ends the season with a total of five overall wins in 2013.

Whibley rode on to capture his second consecutive podium finish after coming back from a mid-season injury. The two-time GNCC Champion and New Zealand native will round out the 2013 season with the fifth place overall position in the championship standings.

Strang finished fourth in the championship in what was his return to the series aboard a privateer Kawasaki.

In the XC2 Class, it was F.A.R Husky’s Andrew DeLong who once again topped the XC2 Pro Lites division, the title won by KTM support rider Grant Baylor.

2013 Grand National Cross Country Championship
Crawfordsville, Indiana

XC1 Pro round results:
1. Kailub Russell
2. Charlie Mullins
3. Paul Whibley
4. Rory Mead
5. Jordan Ashburn
6. Ricky Russell
7. Takeshi Koikeda
8. Adam Bonneur
9. Justin Bonita
10. Chris Bach
16. Josh Strang (AUS)

XC1 Pro championship standings (after 13 of 13 rounds):
1. Kailub Russell 345
2. Charlie Mullins 335
3. Chris Bach 213
4. Josh Strang (AUS) 213
5. Thaddeus Duvall 206
6. Jordan Ashburn 189
7. Paul Whibley 185
8. Takeshi Koikeda 166
9. Rory Mead 163
10. Adam Bonneur 157