2023

Jonte ‘Reyns’ supreme

The clouds drifted away today, leaving riders to enjoy sunshine and warmth for Round 8 of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC) here in Keyneton, South Australia. Like yesterday, all three Sprint tracks were dry and dusty, demanding extra focus and determination from all riders.

Coming out on top for Round 8 Sprints on the WR450F test was Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) in E2, Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) in E3, Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) in EJ and Riley Crimmins (KTM) in J4. Over on the Offroad Advantage test, Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) claimed victory in EW, Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) in EM, Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) in EV and Michael Widdison (Heavy mechanical services, KTM) in EL.

For our Juniors on the MXstore test, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) took out gold in JG, Marcus Nowland (Yamaha Australia Junior Racing) in J3, Mitch Ford (Thrila Furnikation Rynopower Rivalnink) in J2, Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) in J1 and Ryder Burchell (McDonald’s Racing Team) in JJ.

The fastest overall time today was clinched by Bacon, with a total time of 1:06:42.180.

He’s definitely back on deck! Bacon has wasted no time or opportunity this weekend to cement his return to AORC and the top of the E1 pack. He and GASAS’s Korey McMahon tussled for gold all day but after four Sprints, it was Bacon who took the win.

McMahon finished just shy of a minute behind Bacon in second place, leaving Yamaha’s Cooper Sheidow to claim the third and final podium spot. Sheidow clocked off Round 8 with a total time of 1:09:31.413.

It’s safe to say we’re in for a cracking final four Rounds of the 2023 season, witnessing whether Bacon climb back on top of the leaderboard or maybe McMahon protecting that coveted position he holds.

2023 AORC Round 8 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:06:42.180
Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 1:07:49.302
Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha) 1:09:31.413
Will Price (Empire Kawasaki Off Road Team) 1:10:35.169
Brock Nichols (Husqvarna) 1:12:49.990
Miller Mendham (Yamaha) 1:24:41.141

Tefol E2

After the tragedy he experienced in yesterday’s Cross Country, Reynders came in with a fire in his belly to reclaim the top step. With a clear lead of over two minutes, Reynders finished in first place for the Tefol E2 class ahead of Yamaha’s Josh Green.

After four laps, Green rode into second place thanks to a total time of 1:08:37.585. Rounding out the Tefol E2 podium for Round 8 was GASGAS’s Jye Dickson, with a total time of 1:10:37.384.

Yesterday’s victor, Andy Wilksch (KTM Australia, Alpinestars) bowed out early due to injury.

2023 AORC Round 8 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 1:06:46.937
Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:08:37.585
Jye Dickson (GASGAS) 1:10:37.384
Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:10:38.485
Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:10:54.026

It’s back-to-back glory for KTM’s McGillivray as he collects up even more Championship points to improve his standing on the leaderboard. With a total time of 1:09:44.402, McGillivray kept well ahead of the E3 pack all day regardless of the slippery conditions.

Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport Group) jumped up to second place today ahead of rival, Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna). Pretscherer just managed to keep the Husqvarna rider at bay with nearly 30 seconds separating them. Pretscherer and Granquist finished four Sprints with respective total times of 1:10:51.223 and 1:11:19.894.

2023 AORC Round 8 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:09:44.402
Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport Group) 1:10:51.223
Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna) 1:11:19.894
Luke Bunnik 1:15:48.440
Jayden Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) 1:18:39.916

Over on the Offroad Advantage test, Gardiner seemed completely comfortable regardless of the slippery and rocky conditions. Keeping Motocross speedster, Taylor Thompson (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) at bay, Gardiner claimed another first place finish with a total time of 1:00:25.412.

Thompson rode into second place for Round 8, thanks to a total time of 1:01:56.557.

Last but certainly not least was Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna), who racked up five Sprints with a total time of 1:02:03.848.

2023 AORC Round 8 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:

Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:00:25.412
Taylor Thompson (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 1:01:56.557
Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna) 1:02:03.848
Ariana Collins (Husqvarna) 1:07:30.241
Monique Simioni (Husqvarna) 1:08:07.977
Chloe Barton (Fly Racing Australia, BMS Racing) 1:13:39.085

Round 7 might not have suited Dennett but he made damn sure to reclaim the glory today for Round 8. Earning an impressive Round 8 EJ win, the Yamaha boarded rider racked up solid test times all day, clearly unaffected by the tough South Australian terrain.

Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube) jumped up the ranks today to clinch second place with a total time of 1:11:23.375. Behind him in third place was Husqvarna’s Billy Hargy with a total time of 1:11:25.032.

2023 AORC Round 8 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:

Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) 1:10:01.864
Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube) 1:11:23.375
Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:11:25.032
Luke Chellas 1:13:25.279
Max Midwinter (Ridetune Suspension, Blue City Motorcycles) 1:15:23.153

EM (Masters)

It was like Groundhog Day in EM, as Bentley landed back on top of the podium again, followed by Anthony Greene (Ride Tune Suspension, KTM) and Loui Stylianou (GASGAS). Competition was consistently fierce all day, with the EM pack tackling the Offroad Advantage test.

After five Sprints, Bentley clocked in a total time of 1:02:44.916, followed by Green with 1:03:43.952 and Stylianou with 1:04:22.829.

2023 AORC Round 8 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:

Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) 1:02:44.916
Anthony Greene (Ride Tune Suspension, KTM) 1:03:43.952
Loui Stylianou (GASGAS) 1:04:22.829
Owen Richards (Husqvarna) 1:06:06.665
Jason Pearce (Newcastle KTM, WEARELUSTY) 1:06:12.560

EV (Veterans)

Keyneton is now home to a beautifully successful racing weekend for Pumpa as he leaves with consecutive EV class wins! Pumpa screamed across the Offroad Advantage test to clinch first place for Round 8 with a total time of 59:35.906.

Pumpa was followed onto the podium by Josh Murphy (KTM) and Matt Harkness (GASGAS) in second and third, respectively. They each clocked off today with total times of 1:10:02.447 and 1:10:48.664.

2023 AORC Round 8 EV Top 5 Provisional Result:

Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) 59:35.906
Josh Murphy (KTM) 1:10:02.447
Matt Harkness (GASGAS) 1:10:48.664
Matthew Boyle (Husqvarna) 1:11:20.657
Alex McGorman (Thornby, KTM) 1:21:32.336

EL (Enduro Legends)

Widdison pushed hell for leather to claim the step today in EL. With a lead of nearly two minutes, Widdison comfortably took out gold ahead of yesterday’s victor, Stephen Matheson (Bite Me Bakehouse, SMW Hornsby). Securing silver with a total time of 1:06:24.570, we’re sure Matheson departs Keyneton tonight with a smile on his face.

Rounding out the EL podium was Craig Treasure (Husqvarna), with a total time of 1:07:51.039.

2023 AORC Round 8 EL Top 4 Provisional Result:

Michael Widdison (Heavy mechanical services, KTM) 1:04:42.412
Stephen Matheson (Bite Me Bakehouse, SMW Hornsby) 1:06:24.570
Craig Treasure (Husqvarna) 1:07:51.039
Jason Pearce (Wearelusty, Newcastle KTM) 1:10:47.735

EWD (Enduro Women’s Development)

Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) completed a challenging five Sprints across the Offroad Advantage test track today, clocking off with a total time of 1:25:09.257.

2023 AORC Round 8 EWD Provisional Result:

Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) 1:25:09.257

Jackson Vertseegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin) was knocked off the top step today by none other than KTM’s Riley Crimmins! Crimmins set a blistering pace for the J4 class across the WR450F test, finishing four tests with a total time of 1:13:53.090.

Behind Crimmins in second place was current leaderboard holder, Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte). With a total time of 1:14:29.268, Gear protected silver from the likes of Vertseegen and Ryan Jordan (NW Motorcycles, D Signs).

Vertseegen finished Round 8 in third place, clocking off with a total time of 1:14:45.718.

2023 AORC Round 8 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Riley Crimmins (KTM) 1:13:53.090
Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 1:14:29.268
Jackson Versteegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin) 1:14:45.718
Ryan Jordan (NW Motorcycles, D Signs) 1:17:17.982
Tomas Porto (Empire Kawasaki) 1:18:02.664

The JG class battled it out for glory across the MXstore test today for Sprints. After five laps, McDonald once again claimed the top step, crossing the finish line with a red-hot time of 32:03.028. With a formidable lead of more than two minutes, McDonald was followed onto the podium by Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) in second place.

Jade Chellas (KTM) claimed third, earning bronze thanks to a total time of 36:54.954.

2023 AORC Round 8 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:

Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 32:03.028
Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) 34:20.727
Jade Chellas (KTM) 36:54.954
Sinead Maher (Simford Group Motorsport) 38:06.287
Audrey Moller (Alltac) 38:38.710

It was pure action you had to see to believe in J3 today! After five laps of the MXstore test for Round 8, mere milliseconds separated our first and second place holders. Nowland claimed a well earnt, nail-biting victory ahead of Dylan McDonald (McDonald Racing), with both clocking off at respective total times of 31:42.276 and 31:42.542.

Bradley Rayner ((KTM Newcastle, Dungog MCC) claimed the third and final podium position today, thanks to a total time of 31:43.371.

2023 AORC Round 8 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Marcus Nowland (Yamaha Australia Junior Racing) 31:42.276
Dylan McDonald (McDonald Racing) 31:42.542
Bradley Rayner (KTM Newcastle, Dungog MCC) 31:43.371
Charlie Connolly (KTM) 31:43.792
Oscar Harris (Simford Group Motorsport) 31:51.485

Ford just couldn’t be beat this weekend, claiming a back-to-back J2 win thanks to his total time of 33:16.076. Trailing Ford to claim second for Round 8 as Kye Little (Intent, Scotcher Race Fuels). Little clocked off today with a total time of 33:26.666.

Rounding out the J2 podium was Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical), with a total time of 33:39.316.

2023 AORC Round 8 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Mitch Ford (Thrila Furnikation Rynopower Rivalnink) 33:16.076
Kye Little (Intent, Scotcher Race Fuels) 33:26.666
Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical) 33:39.316
Kai Austin (GASGAS) 34:01.783
Nate Munro (Husqvarna) 34:15.898

Weston has effortlessly backed it up here in Keyneton to claim a consecutive J1 win! With a total time of 35:03.405, Weston beat Levi Rossi (Paint Tech SA, Nicolai Farms) to the gold by a lead of roughly 12 seconds.

Rossi conceded for second place with a total time of 35:15.611. Last but not least, Darcy Huston (Citycoast Motorcycles, Holeshot graphics) has stolen away the final podium spot, earning bronze thanks to a total time of 36:29.260.

2023 AORC Round 8 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 35:03.405
Levi Rossi (Paint Tech SA, Nicolai Farms) 35:15.611
Darcy Huston (Citycoast Motorcycles, Holeshot graphics) 36:29.260
Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Bongiorno) 37:51.306
Kye Kinsella (McDonald Racing) 38:39.293

It was an exciting battle for glory in JJ today as Ryder Lambing (GasMoto, Monza Imports) and Burchell tangoed for the top step. After five laps though, Burchell beat Lambing off the top step with a total time of 40:48.384. Burchell conceded for second, with a total time of 41:53.828.

Rounding out the JJ podium today was Austin Schulz (Nutrien Keith, Keith IGA) once again, who clocked off Round 8 with a total time of 43:23.110.

2023 AORC Round 8 JJ Top 5 Provisional Results: