Buckwheat 100 Victory sees Grant Davis reclaim GNCC Series Points Lead

MURRIETA, CA – September 10, 2025 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers standout Grant Davis has returned to the top step of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series podium at The Buckwheat 100 in Newburg, West Virginia, reclaiming the points lead overall, while also extending his advantage atop the XC2 250 Pro Class. In addition, teammates Gus Riordan (XC2) and Brandy Richards (WXC) both achieved podium finishes at Round 10.

GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES – ROUND 10

The KTM contingent arrived READY TO RACE at the 10th round of the season following the annual summer break, with defending XC2 250 Pro Class Champion Davis setting his sights on the top position onboard his KTM 250 XC-F.

A fast start was followed by an early fall, which saw the 29-year-old put in a serious charge throughout the race’s three-hour duration, climbing all the way back for not only his seventh XC2 250 Pro Class win of 2025, but third overall victory of the year.

Grant Davis: “I was chasing a good start today, I got one, and then I was too pumped up about it and went down in turn three! That wasn’t a great way to begin, and making passes here was so hard, so I made it difficult on myself coming back through. I made a pass for the lead on the final lap, and then I managed to pull away a little bit, so I’m pumped to come away with the overall win. I wanted that win today – I’m comfortable on my bike right now and ready to bring it at the next race.”

XC2 250 Pro Class teammate Riordan continued his successful run of podium form on Sunday, posting third place in class equipped with his KTM 250 XC-F. The Buckwheat 100 result signifies his eighth class podium finish of the season, which was a well-earned result after battling hard throughout the the Buckwheat 100.

Gus Riordan: “I took a little too long to make some passes today, which meant that I used a lot of energy in doing so, but third place is a pretty good day for me. A difference in lineup with XC2 taking off first had its pros and cons, but it mixes it up a little bit. It was a good points day, and I’m ready to come out swinging for the final three!”

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley entered Round 10 with the points lead overall and in the XC1 Open Pro Class, with the former GNCC number one racing to fourth position in class on Sunday, piloting the KTM 350 XC-F.

Despite lacking some comfort on the difficult Buckwheat 100 circuit, Kelley made the most of a tough day and added a valuable haul of championship points towards his tally with three events left to contest this season. He is second overall – eight points behind Davis – and continues to lead XC1, now with a 60-point advantage in class.

Ben Kelley: “It’s good to come back from the summer break after taking some time to refresh and regroup. Buckwheat was pretty good – I ripped the start, which was awesome, and then yeah, it’s a tough track to feel comfortable on. It was one of those days where I struggled a little bit, but I gave it all I had today and was able to score some good points, which are going to be crucial over the last three rounds.”

After spending the last few months on the sidelines recovering from injury, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Brandy Richards returned to GNCC racing at the Buckwheat 100 fresh from leading the U.S. Women’s World Trophy Team to their record-equaling sixth victory at the 6DAYS in Italy.

Richards and her KTM 250 XC-F were in podium form on Sunday, as she powered to a strong P2 overall in the WXC Class, which will form positive foundations to build upon in the coming rounds.

Brandy Richards: “It was a great day of racing! I had a fourth-place start but stayed in the mix, swapping places throughout the race. I’m happy to end up with a second for my return to GNCC racing, and looking forward to building over the last three events for 2025.”

XC1 Open Pro Class Results

1. Jordan Ashburn, GASGAS
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Craig DeLong, Husqvarna
4. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing

XC2 250 Pro Class Results

1. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
2. Cody Barnes, Honda
3. Gus Riordan, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers

WXC Class Results

1. Korie Steede, Husqvarna
2. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
3. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha

UPCOMING OFFROAD RACES – SEPTEMBER 2025

9/14: National Enduro Series – Round 7
9/20: National Hare & Hound – Round 7
9/21: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 11
9/27: National Hare & Hound – Round 8

Source: KTM North America, Inc.

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