Strang defeats Mullins in Suzuki 'friendly'

Suzuki turned the Mountain Ridge round of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series into a private affair last Sunday, with Australian Josh Strang defeating his teammate Charlie Mullins after a dramatic three-hour battle in the rocks, mud, forests and fields of Western Pennsylvania.

Strang's win marked his fourth in the last five GNCC races, and also the second time this season that he and Mullins have finished 1-2.

In contrast, Paul Whibley had a tough day, with he New Zealander smashing a water pump cover and putting a hole in the radiator of his Kawasaki after a strong start, but he pushed on for a seventh place finish in the XC1 class.

Whibley came into the race leading the GNCC standings, but he has now been passed by both Strang and Mullins.

"I was worried when "Whibs" got away like that, because he normally starts slow and gets arm pump and stuff, and he would be hard to reel in if we waited too long," said 21-year-old Strang. "We were able to catch back up to him.  I didn't really feel that good in the rocks today, and I went over the bars one time in the mud.

"But I have some confidence after winning three races earlier in the year, so I just tried to go fast where I could and stay smooth in the other areas. It was good fun racing with Charlie (Mullins) like that. The last three laps were like a motocross (event), so that's a 90-minute moto right there!"

Yamaha's Barry Hawk finished third from Nate Kanney (KTM) and Australia's Glenn Kearney (Husqvarna) in his best result of the year.

Strang is now on 165pts from Mullins (161), Whibley (159), Kawasaki's Jimmy Jarrett (119) and Kanney (107). Kearney has moved up, and is now in eighth on 74pts.

The next round will be held on June 6-7.

For full results and standings, click here. For a video report of the latest round, click here.