Factory Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong wrapped up the 2014 GNCC Series taking a solid fourth place in Rd. 13 of the championship, the Ironman GNCC at Crawfordsville, Indiana. DeLong finished sixth in the XC class in the series.
Andrew got away well in the final round and was in an exciting four-way battle for second place in the opening lap. DeLong and three other riders kept it tight for multiple laps, running second through fifth-place in the XC1 class. He was in a good position to get his FC 350 on the podium in Indiana until a hang-up caused him to lose ground.
“I tried to make it up a hill climb but another rider was in the way,” Andrew explained. “I didn’t make it so I had to turn around to try it again with even less of a run. I made it most of the way but kind of had to ghost my bike up the rest of it. The spectators had the bike up and running for me by the time I got up the hill, so I got going, but that was pretty much the turning point of my day. I couldn’t make up the 40 seconds I lost there.”
Andrew gave it his best effort and worked his way back to fourth at the end of the day. Although disappointed not to finish on the podium he was pleased with his consistent pace, and minimal mistakes during the three-hour race.
“I ran a good pace the whole day and rode how I wanted to,” Andrew said. “It was a good way to end the season. It also gives me confidence heading into the ISDE. I really hope to continue this momentum and ride a good, consistent pace in Argentina.”
XC2 Class
Andrew’s brother Craig DeLong also had a good showing at the Ironman GNCC in the XC2 Pro Lites class, although it was tinged with disappointment after Craig got held up by a lapper on a hill climb when he was in second. The Husqvarna rider slipped back to third place, where he finished the race, which still allowed him to celebrate his career-first XC2 Pro podium finish in only his second race in the class. The reigning 250 A champion is happy to end his season on a positive note, and is already looking forward to 2015.
Ironman GNCC XC1 Pro Results
1, Kailub Russell
2, Josh Strang
3, Ryan Sipes
4, Andrew DeLong (Husqvarna)
5, Steward Baylor
6, Jordan Ashburn
7, Takeshi Koikeda
8, Paul Whibley
9, Grant Baylor
10, Charles Mullins
2014 GNCC XC1 Pro Final Points Standings
1, Kaliub Russell (353/9 wins)
2, Josh Strang (260/1 win)
3, Jordan Ashburn (237)
4, Charles Mullins (210/3 wins)
5, Paul Whibley (203)
6, Andrew DeLong (189)
7, Chris Bach (166)
8, Ryan Sipes (161)
9, Takeshi Koikeda (153)
10, Steward Baylor (151)