2024 Grand National Cross-Country Round 12 Results

Shan Moore | October 1, 2024

A star has emerged in the 2024 Grand National Cross-Country Series in the form of FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Grant Davis, who grabbed his second overall victory of the season from the XC2 250 Pro class at this weekend’s John Penton GNCC, finishing second physically on the track behind Coastal GasGas Racing’s Jordan Ashburn, but beating Ashburn for the overall on adjusted time by 49 seconds. In addition, Davis wrapped up the XC2 250 Pro class Championship with one race remaining on the schedule.

Grant Davis at John Penton GNCC. Photo: Ken Hill — **XC2 Pro rider Grant Davis took the overall win at the John Penton GNCC in Ohio. He also clinched the class championship.**

Photos: Ken Hill

Ashburn won the XC1 Pro division with his second overall finish. It’s no secret that Ashburn, winner of the previous round in West Virginia, likes the John Penton GNCC. After all, he wrapped up his 2022 title at the John Penton round, and he also won last year’s round at the facility, reveling in its tough and technical conditions. This weekend’s race was especially tough, as rain throughout the weekend made for a slick and muddy course.

“I really just like the terrain here,” said Ashburn. “Everybody hates it. A win is what we wanted, and we ended up on top of XC1, and I’m super happy.”

FXR/Husqvarna’s Evan Smith grabbed the holeshot to start the race but was quickly passed by Phoenix Honda’s Mike Witkowski. AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper soon took over and led for half the race before Ashburn displaced him for the top spot. Meanwhile, Davis, who got a third-place start in the XC2 250 Pro class, quickly worked his way to the front of the XC2 class and then started reeling in the Pro riders. After battling past the XC1 Pro field, Davis finished one bikelength behind XC1 Pro winner and second overall Ashburn.

Jordan Ashburn at John Penton GNCC. Photo: Ken Hill — **Jordan Ashburn was second overall but the top XC1 rider.**

“Honestly, I feel amazing,” said Davis. “I got off to a third-place start, got the lead, and then started picking off XC1 guys one by one. I got stuck on a hill and lost all the passes I made up and, I’m like, ‘I got to go,’ so I started picking them off again. On the last lap, Draper let me by, and I got behind Ashburn and was doing everything I physically could but couldn’t pass him. It’s still awesome to come away with my XC2 Championship. It’s pretty sick.”

With Davis on his tail, Ashburn knew he had no chance for the overall, but the GasGas rider still wanted to finish ahead of the 19-year-old.

“Hats off to Grant,” said Ashburn. “It was a gnarly day out there. The super physical track got super slippery. I didn’t get a good start today. I had to try to work my way through the pack and it was quite a lot tougher to pass than I thought it would be. Once I got up toward the front into second and then made a pass on Draper to take the lead, I was trying to get away from Grant. I just pushed so hard on the last lap to try not to let him get around me. I’m happy with P2 overall for the day, but congrats to Grant, he had a good ride.”

Draper finished on the overall podium for the third straight race, with third overall and second XC1 Pro, after leading much of the weekend’s event.

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley came from the back of the field to finish fourth overall and third XC1 rider.

FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers’ Angus Riordan put on a strong push on the final lap to finish fifth overall and second in the XC2 250 Pro class, displacing Phoenix Honda Racing’s Cody Barnes, who was sixth overall and third in the XC2 250 Pro division.

Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor Jr suffered a mechanical and was credited with 20th overall, while newly crowned GNCC champ FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir went down on the first lap and called it an early day.

Rachael Archer at John Penton GNCC. Photo: Ken Hill — **Rachael Archer clinched the Women’s Championship with another victory.**

In the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class, Jhak Walker (Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing) claimed his fifth win of the season, beating Dakoda Devore (Devore KTM FXR SRS Suspension) by nearly six minutes. Yamaha rider Raley Messer, making his first appearance in the class, was third. Walker leads Devore by six points, 296 to 290, in the XC3 125 class standings with one race remaining.

Jhak Walker at John Penton GNCC Photo: Ken Hill — **Jhak Walker earned his fifth FMF XC3 class win in Ohio.**

After some more light rain fell, the morning race saw slick conditions. After the two-hour race, 150 B Schoolboy (12-17) racer Cade Staats took the overall win. WXC competitor Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Rachael Archer finished second overall in the race and took home not only the WXC class win but the 2024 GNCC WXC National Championship. KTM’s Brandy Richards was second in WXC and Yamaha rider Ellie Winland was third.