Result: 1st
With the week leading up to this race spent riding in the rocks, I felt prepared but not overly confident going into the first-ever Rock Run GNCC in Pennsylvania. I got a great jump off the line and took the lead. Charlie Mullins squeezed past as we headed to the woods but I was happy to watch and learn for a while. Although it wasn't too long before I was back up front when my line through the mud hole was better than Charlie's. With the lead back with me, I decided to ride smooth and smart as the high speed, rocky track had its fair share of places to create a "damn that was close" moment. My game plan worked better than anticipated and I opened up a sizable lead over the first couple of laps.
With the ground being so hard pack and rocks sticking up at some pretty random angles, smooth was the only way to avoid turning a moment into a race ender. The pit stop was quick and efficient with Katherine handing over goggles, Gary manning the dump can and Scotty and Ryan ready to sort any dramas. On the third lap of the race Josh Strang made some gains and ate into my lead enough to latch on and start a battle for a lead. We swapped positions that lap when I took a bad line but his second fuel stop allowed me to make another break for it. Over the last couple of laps I upped the pace to try and prevent Josh from sneaking up on me again. With the win in sight taking a couple more risks seemed justified. On the last lap I was able to extend my lead over Josh and laid down my fastest lap of the race.
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Josh Strang
3rd: Charlie Mullins
Paul Whibley is supported by: AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders MCC, Darbis, GHQ, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Rosscos Start up Services, Works Connection, Race Pace services
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by: FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne GYTR IMS Leatt Brace Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Cycra Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing AllBalls Racing
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