KTM Offroad Weekend Update
MURRIETA, CA – October 27, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Ben Kelley has clinched a second-career 2025 Grand National Cross Country Series title in the Overall classification following the 13th and final round at the Ironman GNCC, on a weekend where six-time AMA National Grand Prix Champion (NGPC) Dante Oliveira maintained his race-winning form upon claiming a seventh victory of the season in Laughlin, Nevada.
GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES – ROUND 13
Having earned the XC1 Open Pro Class crown two rounds prior, Kelley would capture more silverware for his 2025 campaign, posting a measured performance at Ironman’s finale to claim his second Overall championship – in addition to his 2021 title – after a season-long battle.
This year featured a fascinating duel between Kelley and FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis, with Kelley and his KTM 350 XC-F reigning supreme by just four points once the final checkered flag flew.
The 29-year-old demonstrated both speed and consistency this year, having claimed two Overall wins – which came at the Camp Coker and Old Gray GNCCs – while a further four podium finishes contributed to his second title.
Ben Kelley: “I’m pumped! It’s been a long road with a lot of injuries between now and my first championship, and not many people are able to do it twice. It was an honor to battle with Grant all year – he and I were so close all season and it took me to ride at my absolute best to beat him. We had some inconsistencies, but in the end, I was the most consistent and put myself in a good position today off the start. I wanted the win, but I prioritized bringing it home safely in the end with the big picture in mind. It’s a long season, a lot goes into this, and a big thanks to the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team for all the support!”
Last year’s GNCC Champion Johnny Girroir returned to the XC1 Open Pro Class podium at the final round, putting in a spirited ride that will see him take confidence into the off-season. Following a year impacted by injury and illness, Girroir still managed to claim an Overall victory on board his KTM 350 XC-F in Round 2 at the Wild Boar GNCC.
Johnny Girroir: “It was a brutal round here in Ironman. After the first two laps, I thought I was in for a long day, although from lap three, I flipped the switch and started to get going – felt more like the old Johnny! I haven’t had a lot of bike time this year through injury and it has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me, but overall I am happy. We’ll look to build some solid momentum through the winter and get ready for 2026.”
For the two-time XC2 250 Pro Class Champion Davis, he entered the 13th round – making a one-off appearance in XC1 – with a seven-point margin in the Overall standings, although ended up exiting the race and ultimately claimed P2 for the 2025 season. Davis posted a remarkable season this year, earning four Overall wins and an additional three podium finishes.
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers XC2 teammate Gus Riordan posted a P3 ride at Ironman Raceway to finish the championship third in class, and was fifth in the Overall picture after an impressive year of competition. Riordan and his KTM 250 XC-F claimed the Round 6 victory in the XC2 Class, while adding a further 10 podium finishes to his series tally.
Gus Riordan: “The year started off pretty well for me, but these last four races I have been tough. Today was going well and I was in the battle, which has been the case all year, and I’d like to say congratulations to all the boys for putting in a strong season. We’ll head back to Australia now in December and take some time to regroup before firing up again for next year.”
A sizable injury mid-season sidelined WXC Class contender Brandy Richards for five rounds in 2025, but the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers rider still claimed two wins this year, equipped with her KTM 250 XC-F, and finished a closely-contested second place at Ironman.
Brandy Richards: “Today was good! I didn’t get the greatest start – maybe I was fourth or fifth – and I was just patient from there in getting to the front. I didn’t rush anything while making some passes, and then both Korie [Steede] and I had a huge battle pretty much all race. Congrats to her on the title, she absolutely earned it, and I’m looking forward to having a good off-season and seeing what next year holds.”
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Michael Witkowski, Honda
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Johnny Girroir, FMF KTM Factory Racing
8. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing
XC2 250 Pro Class Results
1. Cody Barnes, Honda
2. Brody Johnson, Honda
3. Angus Riordan, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
WXC Class Results
1. Korie Steede, Husqvarna
2. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
3. Rachael Archer, Kawasaki
NATIONAL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 8
The eighth round of the 2025 AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) saw Dante Oliveira deliver his seventh Pro Class win of the season, adding to what has been a standout year of racing for the now six-time series champion.
Oliveira completed the first lap in third position on board his KTM 450 XC-F, entering the lead on the sixth lap around the high-speed race track, and ultimately powering to the race victory.
Dante Oliveira: “We won the battle here – it has been a wild couple of weeks in trying to win the Hare and Hound Championship, which took a little bit of the focus away from the NGPC Series. The difference between each series is insane – it was super-fast out here and took a lot of heart to go for it, but I put my head down and charged after a difficult start, and managed to get the win, which was awesome.”
Teammate Mateo Oliveira delivered a consistent ride equipped with his KTM 450 XC-F, the FMF KTM Factory Racing rider favoring a consistent approach in Laughlin to finish fifth in the Pro Class, and P4 in the overall championship standings.
Mateo Oliveira: “From the first lap of the practice, I wasn’t vibing with the track on the weekend and psyched myself out a little bit. It’s a disappointing way to end the year after having such a breakout season, although we’ll put it in the rear-view and come back strong for next year.”
Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Tyler Lynn, Honda
3. Dare Demartile, Beta
5. Mateo Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
UPCOMING OFFROAD RACES – NOVEMBER 2025
1/02: National Enduro Series – Round 9
11/08: EnduroCross Series – Round 4
11/15: EnduroCross Series – Round 5
11/22: EnduroCross Series – Round 6
Source: KTM North America, Inc.
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