Davis Versus Kelley as GNCC Title Fight Resumes This Weekend
The FMF KTM Factory Off-Road team resumes its own inner-squad title fight in the Progressive Grand National Cross Country Series, with young XC2 (250cc) racer Grant Davis keeping the pressure on former GNCC Champion Ben Kelley, who has returned to form this season after several years plagued by injuries. Kelley has a seven-point lead over Davis at the moment. In most races this year, the two contenders have started separately, with Davis on the second row with the XC2 class. Over the summer break, the GNCC Series announced a new starting procedure for this weekend's Buckwheat 100.
For the upcoming Buckwheat 100 GNCC Bike Pro race, the front row will consist of XC1 and XC2 riders currently ranked in the Top 20 in overall points. The remaining XC1 and XC2 riders will start from the second row and will select start positions immediately after the start of the morning Amateur race. Place markers will be provided for this purpose, or riders may bring their own markers.
This adjustment to the traditional row assignment will be evaluated after the event for further consideration.
This will put Davis and the top XC2 riders head-to-head with the XC1 contenders off the start.
In other news, defending GNCC Champion Johnny Girroir is out again this weekend after breaking his hand before the International Six-Days Enduro. Girroir has also missed time this season with a concussion. He hopes to return for the final two GNCC races.
KTM's race preview PR below gives the latest on Girroir, Kelley and Davis.
GNCC Champion Johnny Girroir Sidelined As Series Returns to Action
MURRIETA, Calif. – Defending Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series Champion and FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Johnny Girroir has been sidelined for the upcoming two rounds of GNCC, with the 2025 season returning to action this weekend in Round 10 at the Buckwheat 100. Teammate Ben Kelley will lead the series into its final stages, with Grant Davis sitting P2 overall and top of the XC2 250 Pro contenders.
Girroir sustained a broken hand in the weeks leading up to the recent 6DAYS FIM Enduro of Nations, where he pushed through the pain barrier onboard his KTM 350 XC-F as top-finishing U.S. rider to individually achieve eighth in the World Trophy (WT) classification, alongside a fourth-place result in the E2 division.
These results were instrumental in delivering a fourth-place finish with the United States team in Bergamo, Italy, although the decision was then made together with his FMF KTM Factory Racing Team to allow the injury further time to heal before making a return to competition on home soil.
Johnny Girroir: "I’m gutted to say I’ll be missing a couple more races – my hand is still very sore and painful. I raced through the pain to make it through 6DAYS, but the team and I thought it was best to let it heal to get to 100 percent healthy and try to be ready to go for the last two rounds of GNCC, and get our feet back in the game before coming out swinging in 2026."
With this weekend marking the 10th round of 13 scheduled, FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Kelley currently holds a seven-point advantage atop the overall standings, while maintaining a healthy 55-point margin in the XC1 Open Pro Class on his KTM 350 XC-F. He has claimed a total of five class victories in 2025, with his previous Buckwheat 100 win preceding his 2021 GNCC title.
Ben Kelley: "The summer break has been good! I was able to heal up some nagging injuries I was dealing with, and have some fun traveling around and doing some racing just for fun. I’m excited for the last part of the GNCC season – I have a small points lead, so the battle is still on. I'm looking forward to racing with the guys again and hoping to finish strong with podiums and a couple more wins."
| Position | Rider | Hometown | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ben Kelley | Harwinton, CT  | 251 |
| 2 |  Grant Davis | Meshoppen, PA | 247 |
| 3 |  Cody J Barnes | Sterling, IL | 207 |
| 4 |  Liam Draper | Auckland, New Zealand  | 196 |
| 5 |  Angus Riordan | Australia  | 190 |
Fresh off a successful 6DAYS appearance for the pair, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Davis and teammate Gus Riordan will be back in the mix riding their KTM 250 XC-Fs, with defending XC2 250 Pro Class Champion Davis having delivered an exceptional season to date.
Davis has collected six XC2 250 Pro Class victories this year to lead the way in class by 27 points, while also recording an ultra-impressive two overall wins that see him just seven points outside of the series lead behind Kelley.
Grant Davis: "I’m ready to go at these upcoming races! I had a good break, a solid run at the 6DAYS, and now I’m ready to fight for this GNCC overall championship."
Riordan has been close behind every step of the way, with the Australian racer sitting third in the overall classification and second in the XC2 250 Pro category, with seven class podiums and one victory highlighting his campaign to date. He also stood on the 6DAYS podium after finishing third as part of Australia's Junior World Trophy Team.
Gus Riordan: "My summer break was good. I was able to do three big international races around the world, with the Hattah Desert Race in Australia, EnduroGP of Wales, and the 6DAYS in Italy. I'm back in the States now to finish off the rest of the season, ready to go have some fun!"
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers teammate Brandy Richards – who led the U.S. Women’s World Trophy (WTT) Team to a record-equaling sixth 6DAYS overall victory – will return to GNCC competition at the West Virginia event after having been sidelined since an incident at Round 4. Having already claimed a WXC Class win this year at Round 2, Richards will have her sights set on resuming her winning form equipped with the KTM 250 XC-F.
| Position | Rider | Hometown | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Korie Steede | Beloit, OH | 272 |
| 2 |  Rachael Archer | New Zealand | 267 |
| 3 |  Danielle McDonald | Parkes, NSW | 193 |
| 4 |  Brandy Richards | Lake Havasu City, AZ | 181 |
| 5 | Addison Harris | Smithfield, RI | 145 |
Brandy Richards: "I had a great summer, spending a lot of time prepping for 6DAYS, and since then I’ve had a pretty chill week recovering. Ready to get back to GNCC this weekend – it’s my first one back since my injury, so I’m excited to redeem myself!"
Tim Weigand, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "We’re excited to be back racing after the summer break. Ben had a strong summer of training and racing and is ready to get back at it, plus we’re also thrilled to have Brandy back with the team. Brandy, Grant, and Angus each had a successful 6DAYS and are eager to carry that momentum into GNCC racing. Unfortunately, Johnny will be sidelined for the next few rounds as he recovers from a broken hand he sustained at the ISDE training camp, even though he showed incredible grit by pushing through and delivering a strong performance. Now, he’ll take the necessary time off to heal and we’re confident he’ll come out swinging for the final two rounds."
