McGill holds off Ballance for GNCC win

KTM’s Adam McGill came back strong from the summer break, winning Round 10 of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series on Sept. 13.

It was a return to form for McGill, who won three of the first four races this season before finishing outside of the top 15 in three of his previous five starts. The win is extra sweet as the Snowshoe, W.Va. track isn’t far from where he lives.

“It was a phenomenal thing to run up front and to get a win at home,” says McGill. “We had some bad luck the whole way, but the team always stayed behind me. They kept their heads down and worked hard.”

A slightly muddy McGill pilots his KTM to victory.

McGill traded the lead twice with Suzuki’s Chris Borich and just held off eight-time GNCC Champion and factory Yamaha rider Bill Ballance at the end to notch the victory, his fourth this season. Jarrod McClure (ATVRiders.com/Honda) finished third, marking his second podium of the season.

McGill’s four wins are more than any single Pro rider on the tour this year and it’s his first since late April.

Ballance, who was still suffering the after effects of a two broken ribs sustained last week while practicing for this race, was right on McGill’s rear bumper throughout the final lap around the 14-mile course.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Bill, both on a professional and personal level,” says McGill. “It was a little scary seeing him behind me at the end, but I just put the pedal to the metal on this KTM and I had the bike I needed at the end. The crew really did a great job putting this bike together.”

Ballance retains the points lead through 10 races with 216. McGill is 26 points back with 190. Brandon Sommers (Yamaha) sits in third with 175 points, one point ahead of Bryan Cook (Honda) and two clear of Chris Borich (Suzuki).

Yamaha’s Traci Cecco held off a very game Angel Atwell (Honda) in the Women’s class by just five seconds, while Kristen Atwell (Yamaha) was third. Tyler Lenig (Honda) took home the Pro-Am victory over Richie Brown (KTM) and Kevin Yoho (Polaris).

In the Utility class races it was all Can-Am. Scott Kilby (Can-Am) held off Frank Batista (Polaris) and Bryan Buckhannon (Can-Am) in 4X4 Open. Jerime Dudding (Can-Am) won the 4X4 Lites ahead of Clifton Beasley (Can-Am) and Jordan Phillips (Kymco). Michael Swift made it three for three Utility wins for Can-Am with his victory in 4X4 Limited. Anthony Voignt and Mike Penland, also riding Can-Am’s, completed the podium.

Can-Am GNCC Round 10 Results:

Can-Am GNCC Series Standings: