FMF/KTM’s Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell claimed the overall XC1 Pro victory ahead of Australia’s Josh Strang at the fifth-annual Limestone 100 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) event.

As the green flag waved it was Australia’s Daniel Milner aboard his N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s who had a quick jump off the start and grabbed the holeshot before Russell and made his way into the lead on lap two.

Russell, Strang and Rocky Mountain ATVMC/KR4/FAR Racing Husqvarna’s Thad Duvall, battled throughout the gruelling event before Duvall made a costly mistake leaving Russell and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing/Bel-Ray’s Strang to battle for the victory.

After racing wheel-to-wheel for majority of the last lap, Russell charged for the lead passing Strang down the straight stretch. Strang stuck with the KTM rider, but finished just one thousandths of a second behind Russell as the chequered flag flew.

“Kailub and I started going a little faster on the last lap,” said Strang. “We went back and forth a few times and he got me right before the end and I just couldn’t get back around. It’s unfortunate, but it was still a good race overall.”

Westfield Powersports KTM Presented by Moose Racing’s Jordan Asburn finished just off the podium in fourth with JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing’s Chris Bach in fifth followed by early leader Milner in sixth place.

In the WXC category it was Bonzi/RideMPS.com/Yamaha’s Brooke Cosner with the overall victory followed by Australia’s Tayla Jones aboard her N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha entry in second place. Fellow Australian Mackenzie Tricker was ninth overall.