Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542578
Beta Announces Off-Road Teams T he Liqui Moly Beta Factory Off-Road Team has finalized its off-road rider lineup for the 2026 season. Beta's West Coast efforts will once again be led by Zane Rob- erts and Dare DeMartile. Roberts returns to contest the National Hare & Hound and West Hare Scrambles series. DeMartile will defend his WORCS Pro title and look to improve on his runner-up finish in the NGPC series. "It is looking to be business as usual for the West Coast team," said Brian Marok, West Coast Team Manager. "Zane was so close last year, with five out of nine wins, and I think that has got him fired up to prove he deserves to be the NHHA Champion that we all know he can be. We have Dare coming off of back-to-back championship wins in WORCS, and he is going to have a bullseye on his back for sure going into the 2026 season. Beta isn't just a niche exotic brand. We have the bikes and the riders, and we are going to show everyone that we are the competition." The East Coast team expands for 2026, welcoming back a former team rider and fielding two entries in the GNCC premier class. Cody Barnes rejoins Beta for the first time since 2020. Barnes will compete in the GNCC XC1 class and the U.S. Sprint Enduro series. Josh Strang continues his dual role as East Coast team manager and XC1 competitor. This will be Josh's 20th season of racing GNCC. Jhak Walker enters his second year of a two-year contract, com - peting in the GNCC XC2 class and National Enduro NE Pro2 class on the Beta Factory 250 RR. "2026 will be an interesting and exciting year for the Beta Factory racing program on the East Coast. Jhak will continue in the XC2 and NE Pro2 classes, where he should continue in NEPG to be a front-runner and has the opportunity to step into a podium spot in the XC2 class for GNCC, which is really exciting for the Beta program," said Strang. "Cody will be back after a few years away from the program, but with the speed I have seen throughout 2025 and the speed he already has on our 480, I'm ex - cited to see what he has for the GNCC series. I will also be racing in my 20th season. I'm proud of the team and will put my best foot forward, but I will be putting the pressure on the kids to make sure they also put their best foot forward every week." CN WIND IN THE P28 Josh Strang, Zane Roberts, Dare DeMartile, Cody Barnes and Jhak Walker will make up Beta's West and East off-road teams.