FRE/KTM ATV GNCC race report – Round 12

FRE/KTM riders Angel Atwell and Bryan Cook had a decent weekend at the 12th round of the GNCC Series. Atwell just missed out on a win taking second overall while Cook took home a holeshot and finished a respectable fourth overall.

Atwell was up first in the Women’s morning class. Atwell got the holeshot and the early lead followed closely by Kristen Atwell. Angel led the first half of lap one before Kristen made a pass for the lead. Angel was able to gain the lead back on the second lap after Kristen stopped for gas. On the next lap, Angel lost the lead once more to Kristen when she pulled into the pits. She reentered the course right on the tail of Kristen and the two women raced neck-and-neck heading into the final lap.

With one lap to go, Angel was able to make another pass to take over the lead. Kristen remained close and as the riders neared the end of the race they got caught in some lapped riders. Unfortunately Angel got stuck behind a few of the lappers and Kristen was able to take the lead. As they crossed the checkered flag Angel was less than one second behind Kristen.

In the XC1 class, Cook pulled the holeshot for the second race in a row and took the early lead. He lost the lead on the first lap to Adam McGill but remained close and crossed the one lap mark in second position. On the next lap, Cook allowed Taylor Kiser, Chris Borich and Chris Bithell to get around him placing him in fifth position at the end of lap 2. On the third lap McGill encountered a mechanical problem which sent him back to the pits and allowed Cook to climb into fourth place. Cook charged forward at a consistent pace and was able to finish fourth overall just 15 seconds behind the third place finisher.

The XC2 class is still missing the injured FRE/KTM rider Josh Kirkland. Despite not racing the past few rounds the reigning Champion still remains fifth in the overall point standings. Kirkland has a long recovery since his practice crash that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Donations can be made to Kirkland and his family at the following website address: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshkirkland11.

Next Race: Round 13 – Crawfordsville, IN – October 23, 2010

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