Defending Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Champion Josh Strang has suffered a set-back in his title defence with a 13th place at Unadilla on Sunday.

The Australian suffered a bent sprocket on his FMF/Makita Suzuki in a first lap crash at Unadilla, taking three laps to get going again and losing valuable championship points.

FMF KTM’s Charlie Mullins climbed back into contention for this year’s XC1 title with an impressive win in New Berlin, New York, which marked the 10th round of the GNCC series.

Mullins trailed FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang by 14 points in the championship standings coming into the New York round.

The combination of Strang’s 13th place finish and Mullins’ victory amounted to a 22-point swing in the title chase, and with five rounds remaining in the series Mullins now holds an eight-point lead in the standings over Strang, 190 to 182.

Rounding out the podium was Mullins’ teammate Kailub Russell, ahead of Am Pro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley.