Checkpoint | October 8 2020
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MEDIA | GNCC, Yamaha, Honda, ODC, NEPG
Welcome to Checkpoint, a new weekly feature that will cover the ongoings in the off-road motorcycle racing world, presented by Moose Racing. Although motocross and Supercross is the center of the SML universe, our staff has massive respect for the varied disciplines of off-road, from SuperEnduro to Rally to GNCC to Big Six, and we always have an eye on what’s happening in the professional racing series. Every week we will bring updates from around the world, including race results, photos, video highlights, and new bike or product debuts.
2020 ANDALUCIA RALLY
After a lengthy hiatus and the cancelation of many events, the international Rally scene is back in action with the 2020 Andalucia Rally. Set to run for five days through southern Spain, this will be the only organized race between now and the 2021 Dakar Rally and will be an important test before January’s race in Saudia Arabia.
Competitors are three days into the race, having completed the short Super Stage prologue and then hundreds of kilometers over two standard stages. Monster Energy Honda Team rider Kevin Benavides currently holds the overall lead, thanks to a win in Stage One and consistent riding. Sherco TVS Rally Factory’s Lorenzo Santolino sits second overall and trails the leader by just under five minutes in total time, while Adrien van Beveren is third overall on his Monster Energy Yamaha Rally Official race bike.
As important as winning is, riders are being mindful at the Andalucia race, especially with the new roads, tricky terrain, and limited time between now and the 2021 Dakar Rally. Those that are far out of contention for the overall win, like American Ricky Brabec, have backed it down a bit and turned their attention towards getting through the race safe so that they can be healthy for January’s crown jewel.
TOP-FIVE RESULTS AFTER TWO STAGES
1. Kevin Benavides (Honda) | 6:22:20
2. Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) | 6:27:12 | + 0:04:52
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) | 6:29:50 | + 0:07:30
4. Joan Barreda (Honda) | 6:30:28 | + 0:08:08
5. Ross Branch (Yamaha) | 6:33:05 | + 0:10:45
2020 MUDDOBBERS AMA NATIONAL ENDURO
The 2020 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series continued with round eight of the season, the 2020 Muddobbers Enduro. The Indiana event was dominated by the Baylor family, with brothers Grant and Steward winning every stage, and Grant the overall win.
Steward started the day off the stronger of the two, winning the first four stages on his AmPro Yamaha, but a late charge by Grant allowed the FactoryONE Sherco rider to win the final two stages. After six stages and 60 miles of racing, the brothers were split by 41.834 seconds in combined time. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad Duvall returned to action after seven months on the sidelines and finished the race a surprising third overall.
The win by G. Baylor put him at the top of the championship standings, ahead of FMF/KTM’s Josh Toth by 15 points, with two rounds left in the schedule.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig DeLong topped the NE Pro2 class, besting Cody Barnes and Mike McGinnis.
2020 MUDDOBBERS AMA NATIONAL ENDURO RESULTS
GNCC ANNOUNCES SEASON FINALE LOCATION & DATE
The Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is excited to announce that the final round of racing for the 2020 season will take place at CJ Raceway in Newburg, West Virginia.
The GNCC Season Finale will take place on the weekend of Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. CJ Raceway is no stranger to off-road racing as it has hosted many events, including NECXC and Mountain State Harescramble off-road racing events.
2020 MASON-DIXON GNCC
The 2020 Mason-Dixon GNCC, round eleven of the 2020 Grand National Cross Country Series, will take place this weekend at Matthews Farm in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania. After the excitement of the Burr Oak GNCC, which saw the second consecutive win by a colorful fan-favorite, the return of a title contender, and the possible injury of the defending champion on his retirement tour, we’re set for another long and eventful day in the woods of the East Coast.
Check back on Sunday to watch the full and official live stream from the race.
2020 MASON-DIXON GNCC
Sunday October 10, 2020
1:00pm – 4:00pm
