Australia’s Josh Strang is poised to strike when the American Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Morgantown in North Carolina this weekend for the third round of season 2011.

Defending GNCC champion Strang sits second in the standings, just two points off leader Charlie Mullins, after scoring second at the opening two rounds of the season earlier this month.

The hunt for the 2011 championship leaves many questions to be answered as the season progresses.

After capturing the season opener in Florida, Factory KTM’s Mullins leads the chase by only two points over FMF Makita Suzuki’s Strang.

Round two winner Paul Whibley sits only one point behind Strang heading into round three for what appears to be an epic season-in-the-making.

Amidst an exciting free-for-all in Georgia, Am Pro FMF Yamaha’s Whibley came out on top as he elevated the pace late in the game to take the lead away from teammate Thad DuVall.

DuVall stalled his bike shortly after, giving Strang the opportunity to move his FMF Makita Suzuki in for the second place finish.

“I couldn’t catch Whibs at the end, he was going good,” Strang reflected. “We’re just two races in and hopefully I’ll work the bugs out. These boys were going quick and it was a fun race.”

After a week off, round three of the GNCC tour heads back to Morganton this weekend on 26-27 March for the FMF Steele Creek GNCC.

Strang is the only rider in the top three without a win under his belt, but the 2010 Champion understands that consistency is key this early in the game and it won’t be long before the Aussie is back on top of the podium.