02.09.2024

GRANT DAVIS AND JOHNNY GIRROIR STAND ON TOP OF BUCKWHEAT 100 GNCC PODIUM

KTM Offroad Weekend Update
This press release has: 16 Images
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers rider Grant Davis claimed his first overall victory and the XC2 250 Pro Class win at the Buckwheat 100, as the 2024 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series returned to action at Round 10. FMF KTM Factory Racing's Johnny Girroir was top of the XC1 Open Pro finishers in second overall to extend his points lead, and Brandy Richards won her third WXC race of the year.
Following the annual summer break, GNCC took off again in Newburg, West Virginia, this weekend, where Girroir rode his KTM 350 XC-F to the XC1 Open Pro victory – his third in a row in class – to build a 53-point advantage with three rounds in the season remaining. He only narrowly missed out on the overall after near three hours of competition, finishing just two seconds short of Davis. 

Johnny Girroir: "I guess I just had to go two seconds faster today [laughs]! It was a good race, really slick out there and hard to push, but I knew that we had to go for the overall. I pushed the last lap, but Grant just pushed a little harder and I'm happy for him. I'm stoked to win the class, although not to miss out on the overall – I won't let that happen again! The XC2 guys were ripping today. I feel awesome going into the rest of the season, so we'll keep pushing and putting our best foot forward each weekend."

Former GNCC champion Ben Kelley made a welcome return with FMF KTM Factory Racing and impressed from the outset, pressuring Girroir at one point of the race before a mistake saw him eventually settle into fourth position. It was a strong outing that he will be able to build upon in the coming rounds, taking a lot from today's race experience following an extended period on the sidelines.

Ben Kelley: "It's a good feeling to be back out here racing again and the result was positive today. I haven't lined up in a long time, so to come out with a top-five was solid and we will keep building into the final few rounds."

Davis became just the second XC2 250 Pro rider to stand on top of the podium overall, edging Girroir to the win aboard his KTM 250 XC-F. It was a milestone achievement for the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers standout, joined on the class podium by teammate Gus Riordan. A sixth XC2 win of the year sees Davis now 42 points ahead of Riordan in the title race.

Grant Davis: "Today was a good one! I got a good start and just kept picking my way through the pack from there. I got behind Gus and he made a mistake, but honestly, I was having trouble staying off the ground out there as well! I kept getting pit boards telling me about the overall, that I was beating Johnny – I can't believe this happened and we got an overall. I was just sending it that last lap and we were able to get it done."

Gus Riordan: "It was a good race. I got the holeshot, which made it a bit easier, and then started catching the XC1 boys by Lap 2. At the two-hour mark I was in the lead and then I crashed with two to go, lost my flow, and Grant was riding well. It takes a bit more out of you than you think when you crash, so we're happy with the result here the weekend."

FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers' Brandy Richards continues to make an impact in GNCC, picking up a third WXC victory of the season in another outstanding performance. Richards sits third in the standings on her KTM 250 XC-F, a single point outside of P2 as the series enters its final stages.

Brandy Richards: "I led the first lap and then I went down pretty hard on Lap 2, but tried to stay smooth after I got back up, and it was a battle the whole race! It was slick out there and it was a great race, so I'm stoked to be up here, and to get another win."

XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Johnny Girroir, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Jordan Ashburn, GASGAS
4. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing
8. Craig DeLong, Husqvarna
12. Trevor Bollinger, Husqvarna

XC2 250 Pro Class Results
1. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
2. Gus Riordan, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
3. Cody Barnes, Honda

WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
2. Rachael Archer, Kawasaki
3. Korie Steede, Husqvarna

UPCOMING OFFROAD RACES – SEPTEMBER 2024
9/8: National Enduro Series – Round 8
9/8: West Hare Scramble – Round 5
9/15: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 11
9/22: National Enduro Series – Round 9
9/29: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 12
9/29: National Grand Prix Championship – Round 7
9/29: West Hare Scramble – Round 6
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Images (16)

GRANT DAVIS AND JOHNNY GIRROIR PODIUM
1 580 x 1 057 © Mack Faint
GRANT DAVIS - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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GRANT DAVIS 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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JOHNNY GIRROIR PODIUM
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JOHNNY GIRROIR - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING  - BUCKWHEAT 100
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JOHNNY GIRROIR 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - BUCKWHEAT 100
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BEN KELLEY - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING  - BUCKWHEAT 100
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BEN KELLEY 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING - BUCKWHEAT 100
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BRANDY RICHARDS PODIUM
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BRANDY RICHARDS PODIUM 02
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BRANDY RICHARDS - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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BRANDY RICHARDS 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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GUS RIORDAN - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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GUS RIORDAN 02 - FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM LANDERS - BUCKWHEAT 100
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GRANT DAVIS AND GUS RIORDAN PODIUM
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GUS RIORDAN PODIUM
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