Release from 26.10.2026
Craig DeLong and Mateo Oliveira also race to top-five finishes in a strong weekend for the team
Grand National Cross Country Series – Round 12
Riders faced dry, dusty conditions in Crawfordsville, making strong starts crucial as reduced visibility added another challenge at the Indiana venue for Round 12 of the GNCC season.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Steede showed strong form from the outset at Ironman, launching her Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition into contention early. She remained in the fight throughout the race before crossing the line in third, collecting valuable points towards her WXC Class title defense.
She now sits just nine points off the championship lead heading into the season finale, the Buckwheat 100 GNCC, scheduled for November 7-8.
"I got off to a decent start, but a couple of costly mistakes ended up putting me in third,” reflected Steede. “Definitely not satisfied with my performance, but we’ve got one round left, and I’m ready to leave it all out there!”
Former GNCC Champion Craig DeLong and his Husqvarna FX 350 made a fast start, narrowly missing the holeshot after overshooting turn one. He entered the woods inside the top six before navigating the challenging conditions to climb to fourth in the XC1 Open Pro Class, adding a strong points haul to his 2026 campaign.
"I had a decent start at Ironman," began DeLong. "I would’ve probably had the holeshot if I hadn’t overshot the first turn, which had me in fourth. I got shuffled back to six after a poor line choice into the woods, and then kind of stayed there for most of the race – the dust made it really difficult to see. Visibility was really tough, but overall we salvaged a fourth, which isn’t too bad considering the circumstances.”
XC1 Open Pro Class Results
1. Kailub Russell, Yamaha
2. Liam Draper, Yamaha
3. Mike Witkowski, Honda
4. Craig DeLong, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
8. Grant Davis, KTM
12. Ben Kelley, KTM
WXC Class Results
1. Brandy Richards, KTM
2. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha
3. Korie Steede, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
EnduroCross Championship – Round 3
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond secured his third-consecutive podium finish of the 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship with third overall inside Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena on Saturday night.
Following podium results in Las Vegas and Nampa, LeBlond continued his consistent start to the season aboard the Husqvarna FX 350, recording 3-4-3 finishes across the evening’s three-race program.
A difficult start had LeBlond positioned as far back as 10th in Race 1, before a determined charge through the field earned him third. Another average jump in Race 2 was compounded by an early crash, before he managed to recover to fourth.
LeBlond initially launched well in the final race, but was cut off and emerged from the opening exchanges just inside the top-five. He eventually worked his way into third to secure another round podium in P3 overall.
The result places LeBlond third in the championship standings on 62 points, just seven from the lead at the halfway stage of the season.
"Round 3 in Everett was a good race," commented LeBlond. "I found the chaos, but it was good – maybe I needed that. I had a decent Hot Lap, even with some mistakes, so I knew I was going to be competitive. In the first moto, I had a bad start and went from 10th to third. Moto 2 was another bad start, then I crashed with somebody and was about half a lap down, but somehow caught back up to fourth. In the last moto, I got a good jump, but got cut off and was around fifth. It took longer to make passes, and by the time I got into third, the front two were too far ahead. To have a bad night and still end up on the podium, I’m pumped on that. We’ll work on starts over the next two weeks and come out swinging."
The 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship now continues with Round 4 at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 7.
EX Pro Class Results
1. Trystan Hart, KTM
2. Jonny Walker, Triumph
3. Ryder LeBlond, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
National Grand Prix Championship – Round 9
Also in action over the weekend was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mateo Oliveira, who targeted a strong result at Round 9 of the National Grand Prix Championship in Taft, California.
Oliveira started well aboard his Husqvarna FE 450, holding fourth position through the opening two laps before climbing to second on Lap 4. Displaying front-running pace, he maintained that position for a further two laps before ultimately finishing P4 in the Pro Class. Ongoing health issues have limited his ability to push for the full duration, requiring him to manage his symptoms throughout the moto.
He currently sits third in the Pro Class standings with 153 points after nine rounds, having recorded five podium finishes so far this season. One round remains, with the Desert MC Moto Oasis Grand Prix set to close out the championship in Mesquite, Nevada, on November 13-15.
"Unfortunately, as of right now, I’m struggling with health issues holding me back from being able to charge the entire moto,” commented Oliveira. “But I’m making the best of the situation and showing great speed. I got an average start but made my way through the pack with some awesome passes. Found my way into second, having good battles matching the leader. Gave it everything I had until my body couldn’t go any more, which I can be proud of.”
Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, KTM
2. Mason Semmens, KTM
3. Colton Aeck, Honda
4. Mateo Oliveira, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing