Steward Baylor powers through brutal Alabama mud to claim victory at the Talladega GNCC, round three of the Grand National Cross Country Series ahead of Liam Draper and Ben Kelley who retains the championship lead.

Round three of the 2026 GNCC Championship at Talladega, Alabama, delivered more tough racing conditions after overnight rain and showers throughout Sunday turned the course into a slick, rutted challenge where survival and smart riding counted as much as speed.

When the dust – or rather mud – settled, it was Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor who came out on top for his first win of 2026.

Baylor in control in the mud

Baylor worked his way to the front through the treacherous conditions and controlled the race from there to claim his first win of the 2026 season – and his second consecutive Talladega victory.

Behind him, AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper and FMF KTM’s Ben Kelley had a tougher start, both buried deeper in the pack early on. Draper pushed through the field and made a decisive last-lap charge to grab second overall.

Kelley followed a similar path, making a final-lap pass to secure third and keep hold of the GNCC championship points lead.

Liqui Moly Beta’s Josh Strang kept things steady in the demanding conditions to finish fourth overall and continue his solid start to the season, while Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski rounded out the top five.

DeFeo tops XC2 again

In the XC2 250 Pro class, Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Nicholas DeFeo claimed his second class win of the season, finishing sixth overall after a strong ride through the muddy terrain.

Craig DeLong (Husqvarna) and Jordan Ashburn (Phoenix Honda) battled through the ruts for seventh and eighth overall respectively.

Race Craft Off-Road Husqvarna’s Brody Johnson finished ninth overall and second in XC2, marking his second straight podium in the class. Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Josh Toth completed the overall top 10.

It was a frustrating day for FMF KTM’s Grant Davis who was running well before a mechanical issue on the final lap forced him out of the race.

Michael Delosa claimed Top Amateur honours with an impressive 11th overall and victory in the 250 A class. Chase Landers finished second amateur (12th overall), Precision Off-Road Husqvarna’s Gavin Simon rounded out the XC2 podium in P13 overall while Lane Whitmer completed the amateur podium with 14th overall.

PM Race Results (top 25):

Morning race: Steede shines in WXC

Conditions were no easier for the morning races. Gavin Abboud stormed to the overall win from the 150 B Schoolboy class, with Gary Fridley second overall and first in Super Senior A (45+).

Korie Steede delivered another standout ride, finishing sixth overall and taking victory in the WXC class.

Steede also grabbed the WXC holeshot and controlled the race despite the muddy conditions ahead of AmPro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald finished second in class, with Enduro Engineering Triumph’s Shelby Turner third.

Previous round winner Brandy Richards rode through injury but could only manage sixth in WXC.

AM Race Results (top 20):

Youth race winners

Phillip Arnold topped the Youth Bike race and claimed victory in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class. Bentley Saxon finished second overall with Hunter Hawkinberry completing the top three.

Other class winners included Deegan Caplinger (YXC2 Super Mini Jr.), Evan Porter (85 Big Wheel 14–15), Colt Chaney (85 Big Wheel 11–13), James Razor (85 12–13) and Tripp Lewis (85 11).

Cash Knecht won the 85 (7–10) class, Reed Lokker took the 65 (10–11) win, Ryder Baricska claimed the 65 (9) class and Carson Zink topped the 65 (7–8) category.

In the girls’ divisions, Vaida Lavergne won the Girls Super Mini class, Aubrey Tsakanikas took the Girls 85 victory and Jhorjie Walker claimed the Girls 65 class.

More information: www.gnccracing.com  

Photo: Mack Faint