Video highlights and main race results from the opening round of the 2024 Grand National Cross Country series, the Big Buck GNCC in Union, SC – FMF KTM’s Johnny Girroir stole first blood with a flag to flag win, fending off the late charge from both Baylor brothers.

FMF KTM’s Johnny Girroir continues his blistering start to the 2024 off-road season with a dominant win at the Big Buck GNCC, the opening round of the season.

Fending off not one but two Baylor brother’s who put the hammer down as the laps ticked off, Girroir held off the marauding Kawasakis of both Steward and Grant to claim his second career victory.

“I felt good right from the start.” Says Johnny. “I kind of just maintained the gap at the front, I was hitting my marks from start to finish, didn't make many mistakes and it was a good race. I learned a lot last year and have been working hard with the team, learning when to go fast and when to back it down, which paid off today. I feel fit and strong, had a really good off-season, so I'm excited to keep this going.”

Girroir’s start to finish lead belies what was going on behind with first Ricky Russell hounding him for the first four laps of the race before fading to sixth. Meanwhile Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor came from sixth place to third and then into second by the time the white flag was flying.

Girroir’s lead of 25 seconds halved and some to 11 seconds as Steward hounded for the win and tried to keep off the fastest rider on the track in the final laps, Babbitt’s Online Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Grant Baylor.

After his bike didn’t fire up like the rest off the line, Grant was 14th on the first lap. Grant put his head down and made his final pass on Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn for third on the last lap to earn the last podium spot.

It wasn’t such a good day for defending champion, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Craig Delong who crashed out of the race. “With two laps to go I was pressuring second and made a little mistake – I wasn't riding over my head, but had a big crash.” Explains Delong. “The bike took a big impact, so I did what I could for the last lap and a half, but my bike was twisted up and I fell right back. It was a frustrating day in the end to start my title defense the way that I did, but it was just one of those days.”

It was double bubble for FMF KTM Factory Racing with Angus Riordan taking the first XC2 250 Pro win of 2024. But it was a titanic battle with Liam Draper all the way as the pair made a real race of it. Riordan took it by two seconds at the flag.

“It was a good, fun race.” Said Gus Riordan. “I felt like I had to get some redemption from last year, so I’m really happy to win this one and start the season on top. I've been training with Kailub Russell, grinding it out in Florida and it's paying off, so I’m looking forward to the next round now.”

Rachel Archer picked up exactly where she left off in the Women’s XC class. The new Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki colours made no difference to the defending champion who took the win ahead of Korie Steede and Brandy Richards.

2024 Big Buck GNCC PM race results (top 30):

Full results: www.racer-results.net

Video Credit: On The Pipe Podcast

Photo Credit: Mack Faint + Ken Hill