FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley fought hard to take the overall win at the Wild Boar GNCC in Palatka, Florida, March 1. It was round two of the GNCC Championship.
Photos by Mack Faint
Multi-time Canadian champion in several disciplines, Tyler Medaglia (Yamaha), took the holeshot, leading FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Grant Davis and Phoenix Honda Racing’s Jordan Ashburn into perhaps the most challenging course of the series. Medaglia launched off the start while the GNCC veterans knew to pace themselves for the tough conditions that the sandy course would turn into after the halfway point.
By mile-marker nine, Medaglia was in the lead with a comfortable gap, followed by two-time Wild Boar winner and opening-round winner Johnny Girroir, Davis, Ashburn and Mike Witkowski from Phoenix Honda Racing. A few positions back, FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Jason Tino was leading the XC2 class.
Girroir took the lead on lap two with a sweeping, outside pass, adding some urgency to Davis’s game plan, as he didn’t want to let Girroir and Medaglia get away. Medaglia fell near the end of the lap, moving Davis into second. Medaglia held onto third, with Tino in fourth on the track but first overall on adjusted time. He also led the XC2 division.
Halfway through the second lap, Girroir pulled into the pits, allowing Davis to take the lead with a hard-charging Cody Barnes now up into third on his Liqui Moly Beta, followed by Witkowski and Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor Jr. Not fully 100 percent coming into the race, the heat and rough course forced Girroir to retire.
On lap three, Kelley, who had been methodical and consistent so far, began his frantic push to the front. Barnes also increased his pace and moved toward the front, settling into third, with Witkowski right behind after battling with Baylor for a lap.
Davis regained the lead from Kelley during their pit stops, but Kelley managed to will his way to the front for the win.
“It was brutal out there,” said Kelley. “I ripped a good start but stalled it in that first corner. I knew I was going to have to work through the pack, but this race was rough. So, I just tried to conserve energy and pick guys off one at a time, but you had to use a lot of energy. So, I’d pass someone, and then I’d conserve and just slowly make my way to the lead and stay steady. Grant was pushing me on laps four and five, and I was just staying smooth, holding my lines. He got by me in the pits, and he was ripping. I just laid the hammer down, got past him, and was able to take the win.
Davis proved he’s still climbing up the ranks by running in second place for most of the race and leading during some laps. “I was second into the woods behind Medaglia,” said Davis. “I went down at one point. I tucked the front end and lost it. That’s when Johnny G. went around me, but I caught back up to him. Johnny and I were ripping together, and he let me by. I thought, ‘Oh, maybe he’s letting me lead a little.’ Then I didn’t see him anymore. I don’t know what happened to him. Ben caught up to me, so I let him pass, and I followed him for a while. Then I passed him in the pits and took the lead going into the white flag. I was thinking, ‘Alright, I just have to push to the end; I know I can do it.’ Then I hit a tree with my broken hand. I’ll take second place for my second XC1 race ever.” ever.” [It was actually his third XC1 race including when he raced at the 2025 Ironman while he was an XC2 rider.]
Barnes had the ride of his life with a third overall finish with a new team and a new bike, which he is still adjusting to.
“I think a lot of people question my move to a new team, and I’m pumped to prove to myself that I can be up here and run with these guys. You know, prove a lot of doubters wrong,” said Barnes. “I just tried to ride smooth, and I got with Grant and Ben, and then Ben got in the lead, and he dropped the hammer. I’ve got a little bit more work to do, but I’m pumped to bring it home in third.”
Fourth overall went to Phoenix Honda Racing’s Mike Witkowski, who has shown flashes of brilliance this year. He was steady all day in Florida and adapted as the track got rougher with each lap.
“It was gnarly out there,” said Witkowski. “I pretty much stayed steady. The first lap or two, I wasn’t very comfortable on my bike. Luckily, I can make a few changes on the fly, like on my forks. So, when I hit pit lane, I was just clicking on it, trying to improve the bike a little bit. Honestly, it works. After a few laps, I was way more comfortable. I could see the leader; we were all in the train, battling for a podium. But then I got hung up with a lapper and hit a stump with my foot pretty hard. That took the wind out of my sails for a couple of miles, and by that point, the lead group kind of got away.
Liqui Moly Beta’s Josh Strang claimed his best finish in a while, edging AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell by 1.4 seconds for fifth overall.
Seventh went to Liqui Moly Beta’s Jhak Walker, who was also the top XC2 rider. “I feel like I just floated all day,” said Walker. “I wasn’t pushing. I was riding up a gear and just letting the bike do all the work for me. My setup was good, and we came through.”
Unfortunately, with just four miles remaining, Tino was forced to withdraw from the race due to heat exhaustion in the brutal Florida conditions. He was credited with seventh in XC2 in the end.
FMF KTM Factory Racing rider Angus Riordan had the XC2 class win in sight, but a deep waterhole ended his day.
Race Craft Off-Road/Husqvarna’s Brody Johnson was second in XC2 and 11th overall, and Kari Resources/Triumph Racing’s Jack Edmondson, who was 12th overall, rounded out the XC2 podium.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Craig DeLong was eighth overall, 10 seconds ahead of Ashburn, with Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki’s Grant Baylor rounding out the top 10.
Van Adams (KTM) won the Open A class, while Lane Whitmer won the 250 A division on a GasGas.
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Brandy Richards took advantage of a mishap by defending champion and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede to win the WXC class. Steede led with just a few miles to go but chose an alternate line to get around a lapper, where she submerged her bike and got stuck.
Am Pro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald finished third, ahead of Jocelyn Barnes (Husqvarna) and Carly Lee (Husqvarna).CN
2026 GNCC Round 2 Results
OVERALL (Top 10)
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Grant Davis (KTM)
- Cody Barnes (Bet)
- Mike Witkowski (Hon)
- Josh Strang (Bet)
- Kailub Russell (Yam)
- Jhak Walker (Bet)
- Craig DeLong (Hus)
- Jordan Ashburn (Hon)
- Grant Baylor (Kaw)
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