GNCC 2026: Flag Drops on title chase at Big Buck, Rnd1 this weekend

The 2026 GNCC Championship begins this weekend at Big Buck in South Carolina, with defending champions, class moves and team changes shaping the opening round of a fresh season.

The 2026 Progressive Insurance Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Championship starts on February 14–15 at the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina. The traditional season opener kicks off round one of the world’s largest off-road cross-country series and marks the start of a new title chase across the XC1, XC2 and WXC divisions.

Several rider moves, returning champions and off-season team changes add interest ahead of the first gate drop.

Key points ahead of Rnd 1

• FMF KTM’s Defending champion Ben Kelley returns in XC1
• Grant Davis moves from XC2 to XC1
• Johnny Girroir returns to full-time competition
• Big name rider changes for Phoenix Racing Honda with Jordan Ashburn and Angus Riordan
• Riordan starts as XC2 title favourite
• Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki fields Steward Baylor and Josh Toth
• Nick DeFeo looks to repeat historic XC2 overall win from 12 months ago
• Korie Steede faces stiff competition in WXC title defence

XC1 class wide open

Ben Kelley (FMF KTM Factory Racing) enters the season as defending champion after securing the 2025 title in the final stages of the championship. He begins 2026 as the established benchmark in the premier class.

Grant Davis steps up to XC1 following a competitive XC2 campaign last year that was cut short by injury. He joins the premier class with prior overall-winning pace.

Cody Barnes moves to XC1 with Liqui Moly Factory Beta after finishing third overall in the 2025 standings. Liam Draper (AmPro Yamaha), fourth overall last season, returns as a consistent front-runner.

Jordan Ashburn joins Phoenix Racing Honda for 2026. The former national champion claimed three XC1 wins in 2025. Steward Baylor remains part of the Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki team and continues as a regular overall contender.

Josh Strang (Beta) and 2023 overall champion Craig DeLong (Husqvarna) both return with podium potential. Josh Toth re-enters competition after injury, while 2024 champion Johnny Girroir looks to return to title contention following a shortened 2025 season.

New champ in XC2 class

The XC2 division sees a reshuffled front with leading riders from last year moving up to XC1. Angus Riordan, now with Phoenix Racing Honda, enters as a leading contender after finishing third in class and fifth overall in 2025. Michael Witkowski carries momentum after earning his first career overall victory at the Ironman finale.

Nick DeFeo returns to the class where he previously became the first XC2 rider to claim an overall win from the second row at Big Buck.

WXC class hottest contest?

Korie Steede (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) starts the season as defending WXC champion following her first national title. Shelby Turner (Enduro Engineering Triumph) returns after finishing third in last year’s standings.

Brandy Richards (FMF KTM) enters as a race winner from 2025, while Aussie Danielle McDonald (AmPro Yamaha) continues to move forward as a consistent podium finisher in the US series'.

Watch season opener

Big Buck traditionally provides a mix of flowing and technical terrain that tests early-season form, although heavy weather played a role 12 months ago. With multiple former champions and emerging contenders across all classes, the opening round will provide the first indication of the 2026 championship picture.

The 2026 Progressive GNCC Series begins February 14–15 in Union, South Carolina. Watch it live on RacerTV YouTube channel.

More information and full schedule: www.gnccracing.com

Photo Credit: Mack Faint