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COPYRIGHT 2004 Ehlert Publishing Group
As the Grand National Cross Country pits filled up, riders quickly spread the word about the track they were about to race. Rausch Creek frontman Quinn Lickman debuted an all-new course for the 2004 event, and the thought of riding on a virgin GNCC course was appealing to most riders. However, once the racers left the starting line, it was a whole 'nother world. The pristine terrain and route quickly turned hostile as riders tried to tame it. Throw in some hot temperatures, dust and rocks and you have a the making of a disaster flick.
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After the event, we heard racers hollerin' about a gnarly, two-mile woods section with cantaloupe-sized rocks. Technical sections like this, combined with the dark clouds created from the silt beds, created long lap times and hundreds of tired riders.
Pro
After his win streak was stopped by Jeff Stoess in the mud at Round 7, Bill Ballance was eager to regain his winning ways at Rausch Creek. At the start of the race, however, Brandon Ballance, not Bill, grabbed the holeshot and the early lead. His older brother was in the middle of the Pro-class pack banging nerfs with other riders. Four laps later, however, big brother Bill was sporting a large grin and yet another GNCC overall win.
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Bill didn't develop the big smile until the fourth-and-final lap, however, as he was in fourth place after the first full lap. By the end of the second lap, the reigning champ had moved into second. He passed William Yokley and Chris Borich, who dropped out with a engine trouble.
Pennsylvania native Matt Smiley held the lead for the first three laps. In fact, he held a 24-second lead over Bill Ballance after the second lap, but lost...
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