CHRIS BITHELL STOMPS YADKIN VALLEY ON ITP!

Chris Bithell went from last to first on ITP tires to win the Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC.

Warnert Racing's Chris Bithell put in the ride of his life at the recent Yadkin Valley Stomp, round six of the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. Bithell started the event dead last in the premier XC1 class after his engine refused to fire up right away when the green flag waved. On a course considered to be one of the most difficult to make passes, Bithell and his ITP-shod Can-Am DS450 steadily worked their way through the pack. By the fourth and final lap in the two-hour race, the 22-year-old Pennsylvania native had moved all the way to the front. A battle for the lead ensued during the final minutes, but Bithell prevailed by two seconds at the finish line. Considering it was his first win in nearly two years, this incredible come-from-behind performance could not have been more gratifying for Bithell and his team.

Bithell now holds fourth in the XC1 class point standings, just behind teammate Adam McGill, who missed finishing on the podium by a scant two seconds at this Yadkinville, North Carolina, race.

This was not the only win for Warnert Racing and ITP this weekend. Bryan Buckhannon (4x4 Open), Michael Swift (4x4 Limited) and Cliff Beasley (U2) all claimed victory on Can-Am utility ATVs using ITP tires.

It was not Bithell's first win in GNCC competition, but it was undoubtedly his finest.

Photos by Kenny Hill/ATVRiders.com