6 Laps & 2 Test Tracks Did Nothing To Slow Down Bacon, Green, Wilksch, Hargy & Gardiner

Oh boy, do we have a corker for you! The opening round of the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC) was nothing short of supreme. There was no shortage of talent, speed and competition for Round 1 here in Cherrabah, Queensland for Sprints.

After six laps across two tests (the WR450F and Beta tracks), Round 1 was claimed by the following victors: Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad racing Team) in E2, Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) in E3, Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) in EJ and Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) in EW.

The fastest time today was clocked by Bacon, finishing Round 1 with a time of 1:24:40.814.

E1

Today’s E1 podium was quickly established by Bacon, Korey McMahon (Gas Gas Offroad Racing Team) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) in first, second and third place respectively.Blitzing one massive trail today with the fastest overall time, this demon behind the handlebars has definitely set the standards high moving forward. 

McMahon finished today with a total time of 1:28:19.925, ahead of Carpentier on 1:29:28.864.

Bacon’s teammate Blake Hollis made good time throughout today’s racing but couldn’t crack into the top three. He finished just behind Carpentier on 1:30:16.352.

2022 AORC E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

1. Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:24:40.814
2. Korey McMahon (Gas Gas Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:19.925
3. Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) 1:29:28.864
4. Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad racing Team) 1:30:16.352
5. William Price (Empire Kawasaki) 1:32:09.289

E2

There was plenty of action in E2 today, as Fraser Higlett (Beta), Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) and Michael Driscoll (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) fought to secure their spots on the podium. 

Green remained well ahead of the pack today, demonstrating his long-serving prowess in Enduro, finishing with a total time of 1:26:00.326. 

After hours in the saddle, the remaining two podium spots were clinched by Driscoll and Waters, with respective times of 1:28:20.138 and 1:28:22.905.

“We had a good day here in Cherrabah. The track was challenging so I played it smart. Once I got the lead, I figured that’s the perfect start to the season,” explained today’s E2 champ, Green.

“I had a little crash in one test that cost me some time but all in all we had a good day! Being first in class is a great start to the year!”

2022 AORC E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

1. Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:26:00.326
2. Michael Driscoll (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:20.138
3. Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:22.905
4. Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:29:22.150
5. Callum Norton (Motul Pirello Sherco Racing Team) 1:32:08.452

E3

Wilksch has definitely solidified his petition for top spot in E3 this season, comfortably landing in first place with a total time of 1:25:55.205. The Husqvarna mounted rider remained ahead of the pack today, building a lead time of just over one minute. 

Second place was awarded to Sherco’s Jonte Reynders with a total time of 1:27:27.343. Third place was clinched by KTM Offroad Racing Team’s Stefan Granquist, rounding out bronze with a time of 1:29:36.139.

2022 AORC E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

1. Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:25:55.205
2. Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 1:27:27.343
3. Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:29:36.139
4. Broc Grabham 1:33:06.205
5. Hayden Keeley 1:34:00.527

EJ

Over in EJ, Hargy and Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) tangoed for that coveted top spot. After six laps though, Hargy came out victorious with an impressive lead of nearly 40 seconds. Hargy finished today with a total time of 1:31:45.069.

McGillivray took second place ahead of William Dennett and Campbell Hall (Halls Transport Repairs), with a total time of 1:32:23.178. Dennett rode into third place today, with a time of 1:41:15.030.

2022 AORC EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:

1. Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:31:45.069
2. Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:32:23.178
3. William Dennett 1:41:15.030
4. Campbell Hall (Halls Transport Repairs) 1:42:32.929
5. Kobi Wolff 1:43:38.637

EW (Womens)

True to form and clearly not missing a beat after nearly 12 months off from AORC, Gardiner well and truly won first place in EW today. 

Finishing Round 1 with a total time of 1:47:32.579, Gardiner demonstrated her utter comfort on the WR450F and Beta test tracks, putting a total of roughly seven minutes between her and second place.

Ebony Nielsen rode comfortably into second place with a total time of 1:54:28.220. Third place was clinched by Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team), finishing today with a time of 2:00:52.223.

2022 AORC EW Top 5 Provisional Results:

1. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) 1:47:32.579
2. Ebony Nielsen 1:54:28.220
3. Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 2:00:52.223
4. Julie Denyer 2:13:05.358
5. Charlotte Gamble 2:20:19.088

Our world class seniors return tomorrow bright and early, for Round 2 featuring another day of Sprints. 

Words by Caitlin Hynes. Images by Troy Pears.