GNCC Racing: Jumping straight into it, at the John Penton, you earned your first-ever overall podium with a third-place overall. How did it feel to finally check that goal off your list and see all your hard work pay off?

Cody Barnes: It felt awesome to get my first career overall. This year, I really shifted my view of just wanting podiums in the XC2 class to getting on the overall podium. I came close a couple of times throughout the year, but to get it done and check it off my goal list.

At Ironman, you backed up your third-place finish with an even stronger performance, finishing second overall. How special was it to close out the season on such a high note, especially at the largest GNCC in history?

It was definitely good to end the year on a high note. Ironman is my closest race to where I grew up in Illinois, so I have a bunch of friends that come watch that one. But it felt good to do it by myself kinda, with Grant not being in the class and with me leading from early on in the first lap. So, it kinda showed me that I didn’t need someone to pull me along and that I had the ability to do it by myself.

Racing in such a competitive XC2 field this season, constantly battling at the front, how has that level of competition pushed you and helped you develop as a rider?

I definitely think that battling with Grant and Gus the past year has upped all of our levels. We all want to win, and with Grant kinda changing his mindset to not only winning XC2 but the overall championship, it made myself and Gus up our game. The top 3 in the XC2 class were in the top 5 overall. That’s pretty crazy to think about.

What ended up being the biggest challenge for you throughout the 2025 season?

I think the biggest challenge I overcame this year was not letting myself dwell on if I got beaten. I wanted to win, but I feel like this year I was able to take the race for what it was and move on, where in years past I would of maybe hung on to mistakes I made during the race.

Looking back, what do you think made the biggest difference in your performance this season? Starts, physical conditioning, bike setup, mental game?

I think the biggest change for me this year from previous was my mindset. I went to the line knowing that I was one of the front guys and that it didn’t matter where I started in my mind I knew I could make it to the front. It was just a shift of maybe being more confident in my riding, and also just the belief in myself that I could do it.

You wrapped up the season third overall in the National Championship standings and second in the XC2 class, an incredible accomplishment after such a competitive year. How rewarding was it to see all your hard work and consistency pay off?

To finish up 3rd overall is pretty crazy to me. I knew I had a chance to do it if I had good finishes the last 4 rounds, but to go and execute at those races and get it done is something I’m pretty proud of myself for. If I was to look back at when I started GNCC in 2017 in 250A and told myself that I would make it into the top 3 overall, I don’t know if I would have believed you!

It was just announced that you’ll be returning to Beta on a two-year deal with the Liqui Moly Beta Race Team to make your full-time debut in the XC1 class. What are your goals and expectations for the 2026 season?

Yeah, I’m very excited to be going back to the factory Beta Off-road team. They were the first factory team that gave me a chance when I was racing XC3 in 2018/2019. I had a bunch of good memories with the team and have really good relationships there. So when the opportunity came up and I was approached, it kinda felt right. It was also nice to know I left a good impression on the members of the Beta team and that they wanted me back. As far as goals go, I just want to be in the mix. As racers go, we all want to win, but you have to walk before you run. I want to be in the mix battling for podiums, and then I’m sure it will progress to being in the mix isn’t enough anymore, and I want to podium, and then podiums turn into I want to win.

Other than training for next season, do you have any other plans for the offseason or fun things you’re looking forward to before racing picks back up?

Actually, right now I am in South Africa with my wife Jade. Last year, we were able to come over here for around a month, and we are doing the same this year! We get to visit her family and just get away from racing for a bit, and get to see the country! I really enjoy getting away for this time as it lets me get away from racing, and it’s a good reset to make me hungry for when I come back to the US.