Australia’s defending Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Champion Josh Strang has commenced his title defense with a solid fourth at the Westgate River Ranch Resort near Lake Wales in Florida this week.

Suzuki’s Strang finished the day in fourth after leading part of the opening lap, but admitted that he felt tired during the early stages of the race.

“I led for a while and then I dropped off the pace,” said Strang. “I started feeling better at the halfway point of the race and I began moving forward when [Charlie] Mullins was behind me.

“I think we were running third and fourth, but I ended up going down pretty hard. I had to stop and straighten out my bike and that was it.”

Mullins topped a deep field of off-road racers to win the opening round of the Can-Am GNCC Series.

Mullins played his cards just right on the rough and sandy course, staying within striking distance of the leaders for most of the three-hour race, but saving just enough energy for a final push.

In the end, a last lap sprint to the finish was more than enough to give the factory KTM rider the victory.

“I was pretty much where I wanted to be all day,” said Mullins. “The last two laps I was behind [Mike] Brown and I just put on a charge and was able to get the win. On the last lap we came up on a mud hole that was getting pretty deep.

“He went around it and I went through it and I came out in front. After that, I just stayed on the gas.”

KTM factory WORCS rider Brown, who was making a rare GNCC appearance, led more laps than anyone in the race. Ultimately, Brown settled for second ahead of Chris Bach, who turned some heads by putting his Beta 450 RR on the podium.

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Series returns to action on 12-13 March for round two of the series at the Maxxis General GNCC, held in Washington, Georgia.

American GNCC Series
Round One – Lake Wales, Florida

XC1 Results:
1. Charlie Mullins (KTM)
2. Michael Brown (KTM)
3. Chris Bach (Bea)
4. Josh Strang (Suzuki)
5. Nathan Kanney (KTM)