Ashburn Secures Victory at The Dukes GNCC in Kentucky
The 2026 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series witnessed yet another new winner as Jordan Ashburn, riding for Phoenix Honda, claimed victory at the inaugural The Dukes GNCC in Hazard, Kentucky. This marks Ashburn as the fifth different overall winner in the opening five rounds of the season. Following a challenging race, GNCC points leader Ben Kelley finished sixth aboard his FMF KTM, resulting in tighter contesting for the championship.
Liam Draper of Am-Pro Yamaha appeared poised for his first overall win, leading early in the race. However, his choice to use a trials tire on the rear ultimately hindered his performance; the tire lost crucial tread, causing him to relinquish the lead to Ashburn.
“My bike was working really good from lap one,” Ashburn remarked. “I was pretty comfortable early on. I managed to stay sharp and make a move on the last lap.” Draper, who recorded his seventh career second-place finish, commented on the decision to use the tire, noting, “I knew I was hard on tires, but I don’t regret my decision.”
Ashburn and Draper are now tied for second in the overall GNCC standings, trailing Kelley by three points. Third place went to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig Delong, who expressed his relief at a strong performance after earlier struggles this season.
Multi-time GNCC Champion Kailub Russell made his return to competition with a solid fourth-place finish, while rookie Grant Davis experienced another setback, failing to finish the race.
As the series progresses, the competitive landscape remains tight, setting up an exciting contest for the championship.
