The GNCC 2025 season opener took place this Sunday at Big Buck, South Carolina, under challenging conditions due to heavy rain. The wet and muddy terrain made the race even more demanding for the riders.
A strong start for Rachael Archer
Defending three-time GNCC champion Rachael Archer made an immediate impact, taking the holeshot and building a 54-second lead on the first lap. The Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki rider maintained a strong pace, gradually extending her advantage throughout the race. By the time she crossed the finish line, she had secured a dominant nine-minute victory, proving her title ambitions once again.
Shelby Turner and Korie Steede battle for the podium
Shelby Turner stayed close to the front runners in the opening lap but lost some time on the second lap. However, the GasGas Enduro Engineering Racing rider made a strong comeback, reducing the gap to just two seconds before the final lap. Turner then delivered an impressive last push to claim a solid second place. Meanwhile, Korie Steede, riding for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, held onto third place for most of the race. However, she struggled to match Turner’s pace in the closing stages and ultimately finished third, securing a podium finish in this GNCC opener.
Brandy Richards drops points in Round 1
Brandy Richards had a promising start, staying within the leading pack after the first lap. The FMF KTM Factory Racing rider moved into second place after an impressive second lap, but the latter half of the race proved more challenging. Small mistakes on the final lap caused her to lose contact with the podium, resulting in a fourth-place finish.
Tayla Jones delivered a strong performance, battling with Turner for a large portion of the race. The Phoenix Racing Honda rider struggled slightly in the latter stages but managed to secure a top-five finish despite the tough conditions. After a difficult opening lap, Addison J Elliott (Kawasaki) recovered well, climbing from 10th to 6th place by the end of the race, benefiting from the struggles of some competitors. A good performance.
Tough day for Ava Silvestri and Rachel Gutish
Ellie Winland has a good day by finishing seventh. The former runner-up in the Women’s category made an explosive debut in WXC in 2024, securing a podium spot during round 12. Expectedly, the Yamaha rider showed consistency allowed her to collect valuable championship points. Meanwhile, Ava Silvestri (GasGas) had a challenging race, finishing eighth after failing to complete the final lap. Despite a difficult start, she had climbed to sixth place by lap three before forcing her out.
Addison Harris, the 2024 Women’s Champion, struggled to find her rhythm and ended up in ninth place on her KTM. She lost significant time during the second lap, impacting her overall performance. Carly Lee rounded out the Top 10, displaying consistent riding throughout the race to collect crucial championship points. Rachel Gutish, who had an explosive start and was running second after lap one, suffered an unfortunate DNF on lap two. The Sherco rider had looked strong before being forced to retire. Another rider facing difficulties was Allie Roland, who couldn’t make it past the first lap and finished twelfth.
Second in the Girls Super Mini class in 2024, Zoey Kimble (KTM) takes the victory in the Women’s category, the antechamber of the WXC class. She is ahead of Hailey Blanton (Yamaha) and Elizabeth Allen (Triumph).
In the Girls Super Mini class, defending champion Jayden Shea (KTM) starts the season with a victory despite pressure from Sahara Robinson (KTM). The battle for the title between the two riders promises to be exciting. Ky Pollak (GasGas) finishes on the podium.
Pic by Mack Faint
