Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545994
July 2026 17 erased more of the leaders' advantage, trans- forming what looked like a recovery ride into a charge toward the front. By the fi h lap, Grant Baylor had climbed into second and quickly erased the gap to Ben Kelley. He completed the decisive pass for the lead on lap six, but the race was far from over. With less than a second separa ng the front-runners, every corner of the Watkins Glen course became cri - cal as AmPro Yamaha's Liam Draper mounted one final charge and Steward Baylor remained firmly in conten on. Despite the relentless pressure over the closing miles, Grant Baylor remained composed, refusing to surrender the posi on he had fought so hard to earn. When the checkered flag finally waved, Grant Baylor completed one of the most impressive comeback rides of the season, earning his first overall victory of 2026. Draper crossed the finish line just 0.987 seconds behind in second, while Steward Baylor was another 0.420 seconds back in third, capping off one of the closest pre- mier-class finishes of the year. Kelley, a er leading much of the a ernoon, finished fourth, while FMF KTM Factory Racing's Grant Davis rounded out the top five a er running near the front throughout the opening stages of the race. The excitement didn't stop with the premier class, however, as the XC2 Pro division delivered a thrill- ing race of its own. Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing's Jhak Walker wasted li le me pu ng himself at the front of the class, grabbing the early lead and looking comfort- able as the riders se led into the unfamiliar Wat- kins Glen circuit. His advantage, however, would be short-lived as Phoenix Racing Honda's Angus Riordan quickly found his rhythm and took over the top spot on the second lap. Riordan appeared ready to seize control a er tak- ing the lead on lap two, but Walker had no inten- on of making it easy. The Beta rider ba led back to reclaim the top spot on lap four, only to have Riordan answer immediately by retaking the lead one lap later. Angus Riordan Angus Riordan