Knight Dominates Again at Acerbis Loretta Lynn’s GNCC
Mullins, Edmisten on the podium 

Words by Jason Weigandt
Photos by David Scearce

Hurricane Mills, TN—Perhaps David Knight has this Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series figured out now. Once again the Red Bull KTM rider from the Isle of Man overcame a bad start to move to the front of the pack and notch a win, his second-straight GNCC victory, and also one that moves him into the series points lead for the first time in his career.

Knight is the first two-time winner this year.

“I don’t know what’s going on with my starts but my bike just wouldn’t go," said Knight. "I honestly thought that I was going to have to try and bump start it. Thankfully it did eventually fire up but I must have been about 20 seconds behind. The other riders were gone. It took a while to get passed riders, mainly because the track was pretty fast and even the lappers were going pretty quick. The dust was bad too, which made things difficult in places.

“I caught Wattsy and Glenn Kearney on lap two, I think it was, and worked my way passed them. Wattsy stayed with me then until the two lap board. I knew that I was starting to pull away so I took it steady on the last lap. I got caught up with two lapped riders, and even got knocked off on the first lap trying to get passed one rider, so I didn’t want to do anything silly on the last lap. Considering how bad my start was I’m really happy with the way the race went. To be leading the championship is great too.”

Yet another podium for Garrett Edmisten.

While Knight maintained a gap over the pack, a huge battle broke out for second that ultimately was settled in the final corner. Am Pro Yamaha’s Charlie Mullins passed Kawasaki privateer Garrett Edmisten in the last turn of the race to take second, both riders showing new levels of fitness and toughness on their way to the podium.

“I spent the last week doing more training and less riding,” said Mullins. “I’ve really been training hard this year compared to last year. I think it pays off for me in these races, because I felt strong all the way to the end, and that’s how I was able to get second.”

Edmisten continues to shock the established stars, as the rookie XC1 Pro rider is still among the points leaders on his full privateer ride. “It’s definitely more difficult at times racing against the guys as a privateer,” said Edmisten. “But that just gives me more motivation.”

Edmisten raced so hard that he has completely worn his rear tire down in the three-hour battle with Mullins.

A pair of Australians dueled over fourth and fifth, with FMF Suzuki’s Glenn Kearney taking the fourth spot ahead of CycleHutt.com/Funmart Cycles Yamaha rider Shane Watts. Both riders showed speed early in the race by leading through the early stages.

Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jesse Robinson took sixth overall, just ahead of an incredible battle for the XC2 Pro Lites class win between a four-rider pack. In the end, FMF Suzuki’s five-time GNCC Champion Rodney Smith won it by just inches over Am Pro Yamaha’s 17-year-old Thad DuVall. Red Bull KTM’s Justin Williamson, who had snagged the Thumpertalk.com Holeshot Award, was a close third, with KTM/Powersporst GrafX rider Dustin Gibson a close fourth in class.

Rodney does it again.

The XC2 Lites pack—all 250F mounted—bumped the rest of the XC1 pros out of the top ten overall. FMF Suzuki’s Josh Strang was 11 th, and Am-Pro Yamaha’s Barry Hawk was 12 th. Hawk was very disappointed with his ride.

“I got my best start of the year, I was with the guys, and I steadily made my way backwards,” said Hawk. “I don’t know what to look for right now, but we’re going to have to figure out something to stay in this championship.”

The 2007 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series continues in two weeks with the Wiseco John Penton GNCC in Athens, OH on May 12 and 13.

Results: Acerbis Loretta Lynn’s GNCC
Hurricane Mills, TN
April 29, 2007

XC 1 Pro
1. David Knight (KTM)
2 Charles Mullins (Yam)
3 Garrett Edmisten (Kaw)
4 Glenn Kearney (Suz)
5 Shane Watts (Yam)
6 Jesse Robinson (Kaw)
7. Josh Strang (Suz)
8. Barry Hawk (Yam)
9. Paul Whibley (Hon)
10. Robbie Jenks (KTM)

XC2 Pro Lites
1. Rodney Smith (Suz)
2. Thaddeus Duvall (Yam)
3. Justin Williamson (KTM)
4. Dustin Gibson (KTM)
5. Scott Watkins (Kaw)

2007 Can-Am GNCC Series Standings
(After 5 of 13 rounds)

Overall
1. David Knight (101)
2. Garrett Edmisten (99)
3. Charles Mullins (93)
4. Shane Watts (92)
5. Glenn Kearney (74)
6. Barry Hawk (73)
7. Paul Whibley (69)
8. Jesse Robinson (56)
9. Rodney Smith (49)
10. Robbie Jenks (49)