Strang third in bar-bashing GNCC

After a DNF in round one, Australian off-road star Josh Strang (Suzuki) finished a close third in the second instalment of the American Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series in Georgia last Sunday.

On a fast, rough track run under perfect weather conditions, the pack of leading riders was eventually whittled down to four by the last lap: Strang and his teammate Charles Mullins, as well as Kawasaki pair Paul Whibley and Jimmy Jarrett.

After plenty of bar-to-bar racing, Whibley eventually prevailed in an historic 1-2 for Kawasaki, and Strang, still a little weak after food poisoning three days earlier, was third after colliding with Jarrett at the finish.

"It was awesome battling like we did for the first few laps," said Whibley, from New Zealand. "I was just trying to pick out lines. After the first gas, I think everyone picked up the pace. I didn't think I could go faster, but then I was able to do it. To finish one-two like that in our second race together, this is great."

"I went hard at mid race and got into the lead, but when Whibley caught me later on, I was done," said Jarrett. "He's just a machine out there, it's incredible."

As Jarrett fatigued on the last lap, Strang put in one more charge to try to get second. Before the finish line, the riders faced a big pile of truck tyres. As Strang bounced over them, his line came together with Jarrett's, and they collided and crashed hard.

Strang felt bad for making the move, and his admission of guilt was waving Jarrett back past him to give up second at the finish.

"Maybe it was a mistake, but Jimmy is a good friend and I didn't mean to run into him like that," said Strang. "I got food poisoning on Thursday so I didn't know how much I would have left. I gave it everything I had."

Australians Shane Watts (KTM) and Glenn Kearney (Husqvarna) were in the initial pack of seven riders, as was Suzuki's Charles Mullins.

Mullins jarred his ankle and settled for fourth, while the Aussies both failed to finish: the veteran Watts ran out of fuel and Kearney twisted his already broken leg in a rut.

After round two of 14, Whibley has a 9pt (55 to 46) buffer over Mullins, followed by Jarrett (39). Strang is ninth on 21pts.

Round three is in North Carolina on March 21-22.

For full results and standings, click here.