Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 4:10 PM
Consistent results from Korie Steede and Craig DeLong at The Mountaineer GNCC
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammates fight for top-fight in class
Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 11
After earning the previous round victory, Steede entered The Mountaineer with the intention of closing the points gap in the WXC Class title-race onboard her Husqvarna FC 250.
In what were dusty, tough conditions this weekend, Steede managed a P4 position to add valuable points toward her championship tally, and now sits 16 markers behind first place with two rounds remaining.
“This weekend was a challenging one in the conditions,” reflected Steede. “Finishing fourth today keeps us in the fight for the WXC championship and we will keep pushing hard across these final two rounds coming up.”
An average start on a track that was heavily start-dependent made for a difficult day of racing for teammate DeLong, with the former GNCC Champion posting an inspired climb on his Husqvarna FX 350 from outside of the top 20 on lap one to finish sixth in the XC1 Open Pro category – and ninth Overall – for the weekend. He's now positioned fifth in the XC1 standings.
“I knew I needed a good start, but it just didn’t happen for me that way today,” commented DeLong. “The dust made things interesting and, honestly, pretty dangerous – especially in the chasing pack. I did what I could to climb my way up to ninth from as far back as 24th place on the first lap, so we'll look toward finishing strong across the last two rounds."
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Jordan Ashburn, GASGAS
2. Ben Kelley, KTM
3. Josh Strang, Beta
6. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Rachael Archer, Kawasaki
3. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha
4. Korie Steede, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing