Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and Korie Steede take Snowshoe GNCC WXC victory

Jun 29, 2026 Michael Le Pard News

Published Jun 29, 2026 by Michael Le Pard

Defending WXC Class Champion Korie Steede claimed a hard-fought victory in Round 9 of the 2026 Grand National Cross Country Series at the Snowshoe GNCC, as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Mateo Oliveira secured his second AMA West Hare Scrambles Pro Class title with a runner-up finish at the Great Escape Hare Scramble in Washington.

 

Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 9

It was a convincing performance for Steede aboard her Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition at the ultra-challenging, weather-affected Snowshoe GNCC, arriving off the back of an impressive campaign that had seen her achieve eight-consecutive podium finishes.

A fast start saw Steede move into the lead on the opening lap, where she remained unchallenged for the remainder of the race as she settled into a consistent rhythm across the following four laps.

Steede completed the race with a total time of 2:12:37, earning her second victory of the 2026 season and reducing her deficit in the WXC Class standings to just eight points heading into the annual summer break.
“I got off to a really good start, and then made a pass for the lead at around two miles in,” commented Steede. “I was having so much fun out there – I had a really good flow going, everything on the bike felt really good from the set-up and tires, and I saw on the pitboard after Lap 2 that I had a two-minute lead. I was just riding my own race, and then by the end I think I had around a five-minute lead, so obviously it was a really solid day for the team and me, and we’ll keep that momentum rolling through the summer break.”

Former GNCC Champion Craig DeLong endured the brutal conditions of Snowshoe aboard his Husqvarna FX 350, with the experienced racer executing a consistent strategy across the five-lap race distance to secure seventh place after claiming the holeshot.

The weekend’s result sees DeLong positioned fourth in the XC1 Open Pro Class standings, with the GNCC Series set to resume at The John Penton GNCC in September. He’s determined to keep progressing once the season resumes.

“It was a mediocre day – I got the holeshot and then led for around two miles,” reflected DeLong. “I was in that top three or four for the first part of the race, then we changed a tire, and I couldn’t quite rebound to how I was riding before. So, it was a decent points day, and we’ll come back swinging after the summer break.”

XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Steward Baylor Jr, Kawasaki
2. Jordan Ashburn, Honda
3. Grant Baylor, Kawasaki
5. Grant Davis, KTM
7. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
8. Ben Kelley, KTM

WXC Class Results
1. Korie Steede, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
2. Brandy Richards, KTM
3. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha

West Hare Scrambles – Round 6

Also in action over the weekend was West Hare Scrambles Pro Class Champion Mateo Oliveira, who wrapped up his second title in a row with a runner-up finish at the Great Escape Hare Scramble onboard his Husqvarna FE 450.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Oliveira led the opening four laps in Bellingham, Washington, before settling into second for the remaining three laps to record a total race time of 2:34:31 and clinch the WHS Pro Class Championship with one round to spare.

The 24-year-old delivered a consistent 2026 campaign, claiming victories at Rounds 3 and 4, while runner-up finishes at the remaining events proved enough to secure the title ahead of the season finale at the Monte Vista Hare Scramble in Colorado on September 12-13.

“We had a good weekend of racing in Bellingham,” said Oliveira. “I got out front early and led the opening laps until the pit stops. I got passed and then struggled to regain my flow from there, so we finished the round in second place. I can’t thank the team enough for all their effort this year – to defend a title is awesome and we’re really excited to get it done already!”

Pro Class Results
1. Ricky Russell, Kawasaki
2. Mateo Oliveira, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3. Layton Smail, Kawasaki

U.S. Hard Enduro – Squamish Hard Enduro

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond also delivered a successful weekend aboard his Husqvarna TE 300, capturing second place at the Squamish Hard Enduro.

The technical terrain of British Columbia provided the backdrop for the Canadian exhibition event, with a selection of U.S. Hard Enduro’s leading competitors lining up to contest the two-day challenge.

In the end, LeBlond delivered a convincing performance on what was a more challenging circuit layout than anticipated, securing P2 to conclude the weekend.

“That was a sick race!” said LeBlond. “Everyone was saying it was going to be easy, but it was pretty gnarly. It was the perfect amount of difficulty here, and there were a lot of spectators – I didn’t know I had so many Canadian fans. I was stoked to see everyone and I’m happy with the result. The track raced really well, because you could push at times, but also needed to be a little mindful too.”

Pro Class Results
1. Trystan Hart, KTM

2. Ryder LeBlond, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
3. Matt Green, KTM

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