Cycle News

Cycle News 2026 Issue 13 March 31

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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Davis Takes His Turn at Camp Coker GNCC C hampionship uncertainty de- fined the opening rounds of the 2026 Grand National Cross Country Series, and that unpre- dictability carried into round four at the Camp Coker Bullet GNCC, set against the scenic backdrop of Moree's Sportsman Preserve in Society Hill, South Carolina, March 28-29. With three differ - ent winners in three rounds, the title fight was wide open. FMF/ KTM Factory Racing's Ben Kelley entered the weekend leading the standings, followed closely by Phoenix Honda Racing's Jordan Ashburn and Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki's Steward Baylor Jr, as inconsistency had plagued all the top contenders. It was anyone's championship. On a slick, dust-filled course, FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Grant Davis delivered a com - posed, veteran-like performance. Calm and calculated, Davis man- aged the race patiently before making a decisive move that would secure his first victory of the season (making four differ- ent winners in four rounds). Phoenix Honda Racing's Mike Witkowski launched off the line with blistering speed, too much, as it turned out. A jump-start penalty cost him 30 seconds at the end of the opening lap, drop - ping him to third behind Ashburn and Davis. Kelley and AmPro Yamaha's Liam Draper settled into fourth and fifth, respectively. Phoenix Honda's Gus Riordan ran sixth and led the XC2 class, while South Carolina native Steward Baylor Jr followed in seventh. FMF KTM Factory Racing's Johnny Girroir, round-one winner, remained sidelined due to illness. By lap two, Davis—making the jump 350 to 450—began apply - ing pressure to Ashburn, sitting just off the Honda rider's rear wheel. Behind them, Witkowski worked to recover from his pen - alty as Kelley, Draper, and Baylor battled intensely for position. Davis remained patient, match- WIND IN THE P44 Grant Davis earned his first overall win of the 2026 season at the Camp Coker GNCC. PHOTOS: MACK FAINT

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