GRANT DAVIS CLINCHES XC2 250 PRO CLASS TITLE WITH JOHN PENTON GNCC VICTORY
Monday, September 30, 2024 | 9:45 AM
GRANT DAVIS CLINCHES XC2 250 PRO CLASS TITLE
WITH JOHN PENTON GNCC VICTORY
KTM Offroad Weekend Update
GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES – ROUND 12
There was no stopping new XC2 250 Pro Class Champion Grant Davis in rain-affected conditions at Round 12 of the GNCC Series, slicing his way through the pack to a comfortable win in class, and also earning his second overall of the year equipped with the KTM 250 XC-F.
Davis has won eight rounds to date in 2024 – including the past six in a row – on his way to the XC2 title, wrapping it up with a round to spare over FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers teammate Gus Riordan, who finished second on the podium in the John Penton round at Sunday Creek Raceway in Millfield, Ohio.
Grant Davis: "It's pretty sick, honestly! I hope it sinks in pretty soon so I can realize this is happening. I was in third place going into the woods off the start and then got into the lead. From there, I picked off some XC1 guys and I was close to Jordan [Ashburn] there, but fell at the bottom of a hill and had to get going again. We were going at it on the last lap, both had some squirrelly moments, and he held me off but I still managed to win the overall. I've got six wins in a row now in class and the aim is to win out from here – let's go make it seven!"
Gus Riordan: "Today was good and I was third off the start, but about a mile in I tucked the front – twisted my handlebars and levers – so had to stop and get it straightened up. I picked a lot of guys off and it was all out to the finish, so I'm happy to finish second this weekend."
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers also had Brandy Richards finish on the WXC Class podium, riding her KTM 250 XC-F to second position, while gaining important experience in the technical, slick conditions. She sits second in the standings with a single round remaining.
Brandy Richards: "I got the holeshot, just stayed patient the first lap, and then I had a good fall at the end of the third lap. After that, I was just trying to finish, and to make improvements in the mud races, getting better and better with each lap."
The John Penton GNCC marked a welcome return to the XC1 Open Pro Class podium for FMF KTM Factory Racing's Ben Kelley, who raced his KTM 350 XC-F to third position. It was a remarkable result in his third race back from injury and a deserved reward for the former series champion.
Ben Kelley: "This track was really good! It was slick, obviously, really physical and rough, but it was proper technical and there were so many options. It felt good battling with the crew, I was relatively close to Jordan [Ashburn] and Liam [Draper] going into the last lap and Grant [Davis] was kind of pulling me up to those guys, but I just didn't have the flow. I was doing all I could to hold onto the podium – it's cool to be back up here and we've still got one race left this season!"
Newly-crowned 2024 GNCC Series Champion Johnny Girroir experienced a short-lived day out at the John Penton, falling in the early stages and exiting the race. He is now looking ahead and excited to represent the U.S. team at the upcoming International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Spain.
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Jordan Ashburn, GASGAS
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing
11. Trevor Bollinger, Husqvarna
12. Johnny Girroir, FMF KTM Factory Racing
XC2 250 Pro Class Results
1. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
2. Angus Riordan, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
3. Cody Barnes, Honda
WXC Class Results
1. Rachael Archer, Kawasaki
2. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers
3. Ellie Winland, Yamaha
WEST HARE SCRAMBLES – ROUND 5
Upon return from injury on Saturday in Round 5 of the AMA West Hare Scrambles (WHS), FMF KTM Factory Racing's Dante Oliveira picked up where he left off to take the Pro Class victory at Washougal.
After playing a game of patience and ultimately taking control on lap six of the eight, the elder Oliveira brother now has a five-point lead in the WHS series with a single round remaining, targeting back-to-back championships onboard the KTM 350 XC-F. Dante has won all four rounds that he has contested this season.
Dante Oliveira: "I felt good today, but my hands are destroyed after this one! I've been on the bike for about two weeks after my collarbone injury, so it's nice to be back racing, and I was stoked with the track – it was such an epic course and it's always good coming up here. I got into the lead early and then put on a hard charge to the end."
FMF KTM Factory Racing teammate Mateo Oliveira also remains in contention after finishing third for the second WHS round in a row. He effectively circulated in third position from start to finish on the weekend for his fourth podium of the year, now 12 points outside of the championship lead.
Mateo Oliveira: "We were spoilt with good conditions this weekend. I was a little bit off the mark in the first two laps to stay close enough, but I charged hard to the finish. It was a long race, but I felt fresh the whole time, and I'm pumped with the result!"
Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Giacomo Redondi, GASGAS
3. Mateo Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
NATIONAL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 7
Sunday saw the Oliveira brothers back in action with FMF KTM Factory Racing, this time in Round 7 of the AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) at Ridgecrest for the Desert Classic Grand Prix.
After completing the opening two laps in third position, Dante climbed to second on his KTM 450 XC-F and held on for the podium with a well-earned P2 result. With seven consecutive podium results to his credit, including five wins, Oliveira holds a 43-point advantage with two rounds left to run.
Dante Oliveira: "I've felt great lately, my fitness and health are good, but I definitely felt it after yesterday! We fell a little short of the win, but all in all, this was a good spot to come back to after the summer break. We will focus on the ISDE now!"
Younger brother Mateo Oliveira also did the double this weekend, transitioning to NGPC and the KTM 450 XC-F. He was positioned sixth at the end of lap one and dropped back a place after going down in the middle stages, before finally charging forward to a P6 result. As a result, he now sits fifth in the Pro Class standings.
Mateo Oliveira: "Not a bad day in Ridgecrest. I was pushing hard towards the front group when I ended up going down pretty good, then remounted to charge back up to sixth in the end."
Pro Class Results
1. Dare Demartile, Beta
2. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Jack Simpson, Yamaha
6. Mateo Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
8. Austin Walton, Husqvarna
UPCOMING OFFROAD RACES – OCTOBER 2024
10/12: EnduroCross Championship – Round 1
10/19: EnduroCross Championship – Round 2
10/25: EnduroCross Championship – Round 3
10/26: EnduroCross Championship – Round 4
10/27: Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 13
10/27: National Grand Prix Championship – Round 8