Strang wins two in a row

Australia's Josh Strang (Suzuki) has clinched his second win of the Grand National Cross Country season in South Carolina, but only after a grinding battle with New Zealander Paul Whibley (Kawasaki).

Strang finished just 1.5secs ahead of Whibley, becoming the first two-time winner this year. Charles Mullins (Suzuki) and Whibley have been the other winners.

"The last two laps were quick," Strang said. "We all three wanted to get in the lead and pull away. It's definitely good to get that second one."

Mullins scored the holeshot in round four, and he then traded the lead with Strang, Whibley and Nathan Kanney (KTM) over the first few laps.

At the pits, Australia's other rider, Husqvarna's Glenn Kearney, decided not to pit and took the lead, but the strategy backfired when he eventually ran out of fuel, He finished 17th.

Meanwhile, Kanney and Mullins began to lose touch with the leaders, leaving the two antipodeans to slug it out until the finish.

"I really wanted to win today," Whibley said. "It was a really cool race today. I'm a lot happier today. The bike is awesome."

Whibley remains in the lead on 101pts, from Mullins (89), the closing Strang (81), Kailub Russell (KTM, 66) and Kanney (53). Kearney is equal 19th on 12pts.

The fast-finishing Russell (KTM) was third overall in South Carolina, from Mullins and Kanney.

GNCC continues in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, on April 18-19.

For full results and standings, click here.