FOX athletes battle and triumph over rough sands in Florida cross-country ATV race
Reigning GNCC Champion Chris Borich captures the win while Chris Bithell makes an impressive charge to secure the third spot on the Pro ATV podium.
Chris Borich
The rough, sandy soils of Florida are one of the biggest challenges of the first round of the season, and this time was no exception. Rain poured down just moments before the start of the race, causing the brutal course to become even more treacherous.
Reigning 2011 GNCC champion Borich came off the start in the number three spot and followed the leaders closely as they headed into the wooded section of the track, which was littered with palmetto roots.
After hitting a tree in the second lap, Borich remounted a charge, making his way up from the number six spot to second in one lap. He then battled it out with Bithell before taking over the lead in his quest to win the 2012 GNCC Championship.
"It was tough out there, but we had a good race. Our FOX equipment was working flawlessly and helped us take the first win of the year," Borich said. "This is the start of what we hope will be a great season, and we have to thank FOX for being there to support us."
Can-Am/Motoworks Bithell made the most impressive charge of the race as he battled his way up from the back of the pack to third place in one lap and recorded the fastest lap of the race with a time of 26:35. By the second lap of the race the FOX athlete charged his way into second and then took over the lead.
Bithell looked good out front, but his amazing efforts early in the race cost him as fatigue set in. That did not stop him from making it to the Pro ATV podium in a solid third place.
"Everything went well overall. It was a really rough track, and I gave it everything I had out there." Bithell said. "The roots covering the track were brutal, but my FOX shocks soaked up everything and really helped me to get through it and make it to the podium."
Next up for many FOX athletes is round three of the 2012 GNCC series on March 31 at Steele Creek Campground in Morganton, N.C.
