Chibnall and Ballard Become AORC Champions as Gardiner takes out Omeo XC
Round 10 of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) at Omeo, Victoria saw Richard Chibnall and Geoffrey Ballard take out the Veterans and Master’s titles, with wins in today’s cross country. Jessica Gardiner inched closer to claiming the women’s title with her win also.
Chibnall has been consistent as ever in the Veterans class and wrapped up the title in style today, as Ballard followed in similar fashion on his way to the Master’s title.
Womens
Inching ever so close to claiming the women’s title here at AORC was Yamaha’s Jessica Gardiner. Gardiner had a fight on her hands with Emelie Karlsson for a majority of the five laps around the tough Omeo circuit. Her speed throughout the cross country was impressive and outlasted Karlsson with her time of 1:51:51.549.
The battle mentioned above was taxing as the girls pushed themselves to the limit over the duration, but Karlsson would have to settle for second on her Yamaha, after clocking a 1:52:09.849. The battle will be on again tomorrow as they both battle it out one last time to see who will take out the 2018 AORC Women’s Championship.
Rounding out the podium was local Victorian Emma Milesevic who grabbed her first AORC podium with a time of 1:56:02.348. Milesevic has shown she could be a real threat in tomorrow’s sprints with her speed.
AORC Womens Round 10 Provisional Top 5
- Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha MX Store Ballard Off-Road Team) 1:51:51.549
- Emelie Karlsson 1:52:09.849
- Emma Milesevic 1:56:02.348
- Sophie Coldicutt 2:00:31.163
- Danielle Foot (Motul Pirelli Sherco Off-Road Team) 2:07:31.722
Veterans
It all started well for Chibnall as he got off the line to a flying start coming out of the first turn in the lead. After that the field had to play catch up to try reel Chibnall in, but like on many other occasions this season, it just wasn’t possible. Chibnall crossed the line on his KTM with a time of 2:58:35.133 to claim the 2018 Master’s Championship.
The man to cross the line next was Jade Gartlan on his Gas Gas, crossing the line with a 3:00:10.760, whilst the podium was rounded out by Brett Barrett after he finished with a time of 3:01:59.055.
Peter Rudd was the man to just miss the podium as he crossed the line with a time of 3:07:04.811.
AORC Veterans Round 10 Provisional Top 5
- Richard Chibnall 2:58:35.133
- Jade Gartlan 3:00:10.760
- Brett Barrett 3:01:59.055
- Peter Rudd 3:07:04.811
- Travis Selwyn 3:10:01.132
Master’s
In a career that has seen him achieve a lot, you can now add the 2018 AORC Master’s title to the list for Ballard. On his KTM he didn’t look like relinquishing his lead at any point today and rode his way to victory after stopping the clock at 1:57:13.374.
A rider who has been really consistent in season 2018 has been Michael Widdison, and he proved that once again as he crossed the line in second with his effort of 1:57:53.722.
The last spot on the podium went to Stephen Boucher who put his local knowledge to good use on his way to a time of 1:58:15.032.
AORC Master’s Round 10 Provisional Top 5
- Geoffrey Ballard 1:57:13.374
- Michael Widdison 1:57:53.722
- Stephen Boucher 1:58:15.032
- Craig Treasure 1:59:48.244
- Ian McGillivray 2:01:35.140
125cc Amateur Cup
The trek down to Omeo, Victoria saw the return of the 125cc Amateur Cup but just like back in Dungog, Ben Grabham took the win with his time of 3:01:08.820. Crossing the line behind Grabham in second position was Scott Noble after clocking a 3:11:11.776, and the last spot on the podium went to Benjamin Anderson with his effort of 2:59:45.192 (1 Lap down).
AORC Round 10 125cc Amateur Cup Provisional Top 3
- Ben Grabham 3:01:08.820
- Scott Noble 3:11:11.776
- Benjamin Anderson 2:59:45.192 (1 Lap Down)
The field is back in action tomorrow for sprints as the Women’s title will be decided, will it be Gardiner or Karlsson who takes out the Championship?
Stay up to date with all the happenings of the 2018 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship by visiting the brand new AORC website at www.aorc.org.au! or by following the AORC on Facebook as well as @aorc on Instagram. Don’t forget to download the brand new AORC App via Team App*.
Photos courtesy of John Pearson Media
