Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Korie Steede delivered her sixth-consecutive podium finish at Round 6 of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series this weekend, while teammate Ryder LeBlond finished second at Round 5 of the U.S. Hard Enduro Championship.
Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 6
It was a consistent weekend for defending WXC Class Champion Korie Steede, who made a strong start aboard her Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition and maintained a steady pace at The Old Gray GNCC.
Charging to third in the WXC Class with a total time of 2:04:41, the 24-year-old earned her sixth podium of the 2026 season in a row and sits 12 points off the series lead entering the halfway stages.
Following a podium finish at the previous round, former GNCC Champion Craig DeLong lined up at The Old Gray GNCC looking to build momentum aboard his Husqvarna FX 350.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider holeshotted and led from the outset of the three-hour encounter, battling for the podium positions all race long in Tennessee to secure a hard-fought P4 finish, and remains fourth in the XC1 Open Pro Class standings.
“I ripped the holeshot – it’s been a long time since I have done that!” commented DeLong. “I kept the lead for probably four miles or so, and then rode a little tight once I got passed. I just had to regroup after that, and then I put a little late-race charge in there to reel in some of the other riders again, and man, it was a four-way battle until the end. I’m happy with my riding, just a little disappointed in the end result, but we tried hard. Overall, we took a step in the right direction this weekend, especially with how I rode, and now onto the next!”
Riders will return to the track in two weeks’ time for the Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Jordan Ashburn, Honda
2. Steward Baylor Jr, Kawasaki
3. Kailub Russell, Yamaha
4. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
10. Ben Kelley, KTM
12. Grant Davis, KTM
WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha
3. Korie Steede, Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing
U.S. Hard Enduro Championship – Round 5
Round 5 of the U.S. Hard Enduro Championship took place over the weekend at the Battle of the Goats Hard Enduro in North Carolina, where Ryder LeBlond secured second place in the Pro Class for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing.
The 24-year-old ran inside the lead group during the early stages of the Main Race after qualifying second on Saturday, battling for the race lead on board his Husqvarna TE 300 across the technical terrain.
LeBlond’s race-long fight at the front of the field saw him post a total time of 3:19:01, securing his third podium of the season and valuable Pro Class championship points.
“I feel pretty good – although I made a lot of mistakes that whole race,” recalled LeBlond. “I was about two to three minutes back of the lead, so Trystan [Hart] and I must have been trading mistakes, and then the last lap was far from ideal with so many mistakes. Still, we’re P2, and we’ll look forward to the next one.”
Pro Class Results
1. Trystan Hart, KTM
2. Ryder LeBlond, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3. Cody Webb, Yamaha
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