08.06.2026

ANOTHER STRONG WEEKEND FOR FMF KTM FACTORY RACING AT WATKINS GLEN GNCC

KTM Offroad Update
This press release has: 15 Images
FMF KTM Factory Racing riders Ben Kelley and Grant Davis delivered top-five finishes in Round 8 of the 2026 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series at the Watkins Glen International, on a weekend where Jason Tino and Brandy Richards both claimed podium results in class.
GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES – ROUND 8

Equipped with the KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION this weekend, defending GNCC Champion Ben Kelley ran at the front throughout the race's three-hour duration, taking over the lead on the second-to-last lap.

After spending an extended period off the bike in recent months, Kelley was unable to maintain his late-race charge, ultimately crossing the finish line in a well-earned fourth position in the XC1 Open Pro Class.

Following eight rounds, the 30-year-old sits fourth in the XC1 standings, just one point shy of third place as the series heads to the Snowshoe GNCC later this month.

Ben Kelley: “I had a good race and I was battling at the front all day. I did have three crashes, but I was able to race my way back to the front each time. I got into the lead and led that second-to-last lap and had a gap, although, just having been off the bike for five weeks, I just got tired. Fourth was what we had today, and overall, I’m happy with the result.”

Davis also spent time at the front of the field, leading a portion of the race aboard his KTM 450 XC-F before claiming a solid fifth-place finish in the XC1 Open Pro category as he continues to build experience during his first full season in the XC1 Class.

Grant Davis: “It was a good day! I got off to a decent start and then entered the lead around halfway, but then melted my hand on a lapper's pipe after going down. Came back for a top-five, which I’m happy with – I’m happy to record a solid score at this round.”

FMF KTM Factory Racing's Jason Tino arrived at Watkins Glen looking to extend his four-race podium streak in 2026, which included back-to-back victories at Rounds 5 and 6. A difficult start aboard his KTM 250 XC-F left him with work to do.

Tino steadily worked his way forward to join the leading group of XC1 and XC2 contenders, but a late-race crash ended his hopes of challenging for the class victory. Despite that setback, he fought on to secure second place and extend his podium streak to five consecutive rounds. Following eight rounds, Tino sits tied for the lead in the XC2 standings with one round remaining before the summer break.

Jason Tino: “I got an absolutely terrible start, so I had to work really hard out there – by the first lap, the leaders had already put 15 to 20 seconds on me. Once I got into third, I had to push, and my lap times late in the race were really solid. I closed up to the train of front-runners, then Gus [Riordan] put the hammer down, and we were trying to chase him after that. I had a pretty good crash towards the end there, but overall I am satisfied with Watkins Glen – it got super-rough here, but it was sweet.”

The battle atop the WXC division reignited at Round 8, with Brandy Richards launching strongly aboard her KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION to secure an important holeshot.

A race-long fight for the lead unfolded from there, with Richards pushing the pace right to the checkered flag. She ultimately secured second place on the podium, recording a total time of 2:08:00. With another strong result added to her campaign, Richards now sits just seven points off the series lead.

Brandy Richards: “I took the holeshot and stayed consistent on Lap 1, just knowing the conditions were going to get treacherous with all the tree roots. [I] led most of the opening lap but then had a little spill, which let Danielle [McDonald] get by me, and I knew she was going to go fast. I tried to latch on, and we ended up going back and forth quite a bit, which was a lot of fun. I threw a Hail Mary at the end there, but tucked the front, and that was kind of the end of my charge.”

XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Grant Baylor, Kawasaki
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Steward Baylor Jr, Kawasaki
4. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing
5. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing

XC2 250 Pro Class Results
1. Angus Riordan, Honda
2. Jason Tino, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Jhak Walker, Beta

WXC Class Results
1. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha
2. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Korie Steede, Husqvarna
Get all contents of this press release as .zip: Direct download Save to Lightbox

Images (15)

BEN KELLEY - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BEN KELLEY 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BEN KELLEY 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BEN KELLEY 04 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BEN KELLEY 05 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
GRANT DAVIS - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
GRANT DAVIS 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
GRANT DAVIS 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
GRANT DAVIS 04 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
JASON TINO - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
JASON TINO 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
JASON TINO 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BRANDY RICHARDS - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 236 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BRANDY RICHARDS 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 236 x 2 160 © Mack Faint
BRANDY RICHARDS 03 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - WATKINS GLEN GNCC
3 240 x 2 160 © Mack Faint

Contact

USA - Marketing
KTM North America, Inc.
Media and Public Relations

30125 KTM Way
Murrieta, CA 92563

T +1 951 600 8007 
E ktmmarketing@ktmnorthamerica.com