2023 Buckwheat 100 GNCC Round 11 Results

Shan Moore | October 10, 2023

Craig DeLong led the next-to-last round of the Grand National Cross-Country series in Newburg, West Virginia, October 7-8, from start to finish, leaving the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider solidly in control of the 2023 Overall Grand National Series. His nearest rival, Steward Baylor, had a race to forget, finishing 19th, now 23 points behind DeLong in the series standings with one race remaining. In addition, a 13th-place overall finish after crashing during the opening stages of the race by FMF KTM’s Ben Kelley mathematically eliminated the defending champ from the title chase.

2023 Buckwheat 100 GNCC Round 11 — **Craig DeLong (342) scored a narrow win at the Buckwheat 100 GNCC in West Virginia and is now poised to win the championship. Photos: Ken Hill**

“It was a rough day for me,” said Kelley. “I got off to a good start, although had a big crash just a few miles into the race, which dropped me right down to the rear of the field. I tried to charge, although I was a bit shaken up by the fall and struggled for comfort, which marked a very frustrating day for me and a big letdown to the entire team. After getting kicked around and having another couple of crashes, I decided to settle and bring it home in one piece in ninth place.”

Before the race, Delong was intent on getting the win, and that’s precisely what he did, leading the race from start to finish. “It just doesn’t feel real,” said DeLong. “It wasn’t easy; Ricky and Ryder were on my tail, and then I heard Steward had a mechanical, which I hate. We were battling all year, and to have it come down to a mechanical, nobody wants that.”

AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell ran in second for most of the race, and after a three-hour battle with Coastal Racing GasGas’ Ryder Lafferty, Russell crossed the finish with the runner-up position.

2023 Buckwheat 100 GNCC XC2 class Round 11 — **Liam Draper (198) won the XC2 class by only a few seconds.**

“It was an epic track, but it was hard to push,” said Russell. “We were riding fast and when I pitted, Ryder got by me. I tried to push and I’d make mistakes. At that speed, it was easy to make mistakes. On the last lap, I tried to make a pass on Ryder and went down, so Craig went down. Then Ryder went down and I got him, but DeLong was gone, so I’m happy to come away with second.”

Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Team Green Kawasaki’s Josh Strang finished with a long overdue podium finish in third overall.

“It’s been a long time coming. I think it was the second round this year I was on the podium,” said Strang. “It was hard-packed and slick, and you had to be patient out there. I wish I’d got a better start, but I made a couple of passes there before the end, so it makes it fun racing like that.”

After finishing 19th with several mechanicals, Tely Energy Racing/Rocky Mountain ATV-MC KTM’s Steward Baylor now has only a slight mathematical chance at the title.

Defending XC1 Champion, Magna1 Racing Husqvarna’s Jordan Ashburn and Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Team Green Kawasaki’s Grant Baylor battled over fourth, with Ashburn getting the nod at the finish. Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Trevor Bollinger came home in sixth.

After battling up front for most of the race, Lafferty found himself in seventh in his maiden XC1 race.

Rachael Archer at 2023 Buckwheat 100 GNCC — **Rachael Archer won the Women’s Pro race—again.**

The XC2 250 Pro-class Championship is boiling down to the final race in Indiana, with AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper coming away with eighth overall and first in class despite a hard crash on lap two. The win left Draper in a good position to win the class title.

“I love this track; it’s just an hour from my house,” said Draper. “I knew a win today would make it easier going into Indiana, so I’m happy with the finish. The guy I had to beat was Gus Riordan, and he was on my rear wheel all day long, so I’m proud of my ride.”

Riordan was second XC2 rider and ninth overall, with Trail Jesters KTM’s Mason Semmens rounding out the top 10.

Toby Cleveland claimed his sixth win of the year in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class and now sits 24 points ahead of Dakota Devore (KTM) with one round remaining. Devore was third in class behind Jhak Walker (Husqvarna) on the day.

AmPro Yamaha’s Rachael Archer, who wrapped up the Women’s Pro Championship at the previous round, took the win in the WXC Pro Women’s race ahead of Trail Jesters Racing KTM’s Korie Steede and Over and Under GasGas’ Rachel Gutish, who won the EnduroCross in Everett, Washington the night before.