 took home the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win.jpg)
 took home the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win.jpg)
The first round of the 2020 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, concluded Sunday, February 23 in Union, South Carolina with the 23rd Annual Big Buck GNCC. Cool and partly sunny conditions greeted the final day of racing at round one, creating almost perfect racing conditions.
Zack Hayes would start on row three in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class. Hayes made the decision to race the 125 this season after racing the XC2 250 Pro class last season. Hayes had his work cut out for him in the very beginning.
Raines Riding University/Atlas Sales/Yamaha’s Jason Raines pulled the early holeshot but Hayes was able to make the pass later in the woods. On the second lap, Raines made his way to the front and took the lead. He lead from lap two to lap five.
Hayes went from first to sixth after lap one, but was able to mount a steady charge. By the time he made it to lap five, he was already up to second place.
On the final lap, Hayes made the pass on Raines for the lead and checked out. He extended his lead to 21 seconds by the end of the race. The Moose Racing/Carolina KTM/XC Gear’s Hayes took the win in his respective class and 23rd overall. This was his first win in a GNCC event since 2015.
Not to be out done by his brother, Chase Hayes also won his class. He started on row four in the Open A class. Last season Hayes competed in the 250A class where he finished 4th overall by seasons end. He made the step up to the Open A class this season, and was on a mission.
Hayes finished lap one in third place. By the end of lap two he was in second and on a charge to catch the leader. Once they came through the check point on lap five, Hayes had taken the lead. He put his head down and stretched his lead to one minute and thirty eight seconds.
Hayes went on to finish 31st overall, and land himself a spot on the top amateur podium.
After round one, both Hayes brothers were in first place in their classes. Zack was awarded 30 points and had a 5 point lead over Raines. Chase had 20 points which is a one point differential between him and Cope Beckert.
