Mason Semmens will race in the American-based Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in 2022, departing the factory GasGas Racing Team to join the Trail Jesters KTM Racing squad in the US.

The move comes off the back of a successful, but condensed, 2021 season for Semmens, winning both rounds in the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) E1 category before border closures brought the season to a premature end.

The Victorian also managed second outright in the 2021 Hattah Desert Race – first in the 450 class – and brings a wealth of experience to the KTM-supported squad for next year, including multiple Australian Junior Motocross Championships earlier in his career prior to transitioning off-road.

Semmens will be equipped with a KTM 250 XC-F in 2022, competing in the XC2 Pro 250 class in what will be just his third season of full-time enduro competition.

“I am very excited and very grateful for the opportunity Trail Jesters KTM Racing has given me,” Semmens said. “I can’t wait to line up at my first GNCC just a few months from now.”

Trail Jesters KTM Racing Team Owner Ross Mauri added: “I think that Mason has an enormous amount of potential and I am thrilled that he was interested in coming to race in America. We are all excited to be working with him and look forward to a great 2022 season.”

Set for 13 rounds, the 2022 GNCC championship is set to take off with the Big Buck event on 19-20 February, in Union, South Carolina.