When it Reynders it pours
That’s all she wrote, here at Queensland Moto Park (QMP) for Round 4 of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC). Featuring another one-day Enduro for our Seniors and J4 class, while our Juniors navigated another packed day of Sprints, the conditions out here at QMP made for another great day of racing. Leaving Queensland with the Round 4 class win was Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Suttos Powersports) in E1, Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team) in E2, Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) in E3, Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW and Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) in EJ.
Fastest time today was clinched by Reynders, with a total time of 51:49.839.
The remaining victors in our Senior classes included Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) in EM, Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM) in EV, Ian Jenner (KTM) in EL and Jackson Horley (KTM) in 2T. In J4, Riley Crimmins (KTM) stole the show to claim a consecutive win.
Over on the Offroad Advantage test, our Junior victors included Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) in JG, Ollie Gear (Limstone Coast Motorcylces Naracoorte, Yamaha) 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. Our EWD class joined the Offroad Advantage Sprints today, with Gemma Rankine (KTM) coming out on top. The fastest time today for our Juniors was clinched by Gear, with a total time of 39:41.264.
Pictured: Korey McMahon
E1
QMP can now officially be home to the turning of the tide on who will claim 2023 victory in E1. McMahon has had undisputed success, finishing today with another class win. With a total time of 52:41.735, the GASGAS boarded racer remained comfortably ahead of today’s silver, Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha).
Sheidow had to settle for second, behind McMahon with a total time of 53:24.353. It’s an exciting year for the Yamaha racer, who continues to grow from strength to strength, hitting times that rival even our most seasoned contenders.
The final podium step was won by Will Price (Empire Kawasaki Off Road Team), who protected the bronze from Brock Nichols (Husqvarna) by over 50 seconds. At the end of today’s racing, Price finished with a total time of 55:05.624.
2023 AORC Round 4 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Suttos Powersports) 52:41.735
- Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha) 53:24.353
- Will Price (Empire Kawasaki Off Road Team) 55:05.624
- Brock Nichols (Husqvarna) 55:55.148
- Miller Mendham (Yamaha) 1:03:54.314
Tefol E2
After three Rounds where we’ve seen a comfortable lead by Josh Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team), today presented one hell of a shake-up and that shake-up’s name was Reynders. The Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team racer was simply in his best form since we opened up in Mendooran earlier this year. After navigating the MXstore and WR450F tests as part of today’s Enduro, Reynders smoked out the competition with a blistering total time of 51:49.839.
Behind Reynders in second and trailing by just over 20 seconds was current E2 leader board holder, Green. With a total time of 52:15.731, Green fought to protect his spot and precious points from GASGAS’s Jye Dickson. Dickson had to settle for the third and final podium spot.
Andy Wilksch also remained a visible contender for the podium today, finishing in fourth.
2023 AORC Round 4 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team) 51:49.839
- Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 52:15.731
- Jye Dickson (GASGAS) 52:44.570
- Andrew Wilksch 53:36.749
- Matt Murray 55:55.768
E3
The drama was also ready and waiting for you to witness over in E3, as KTM and Husqvarna tangoed for the glory of the top step. After a full day of Enduro racing across the MXstore and WR450F tests, McGillivray hit full send to create a sizable near one-minute lead ahead of Granquist. McGillivray closed off Round 4 with a total time of 53:18.843.
Husqvarna’s Granquist had an impressive day of racing and shouldn’t be disheartened by the end result. After Round 4, Granquist finished with a total time of 54:18.213.
Although the glory was his to be had in Mendooran, Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport Group) just couldn’t quite break into the top two steps of the podium this weekend. Instead, Simford Motorsport’s racer had to concede for third, ahead of Patrick McGillivray (KTM) and Luke Bunnik (Beta, Limestone Coast Motorcycles) thanks to a total time of 55:16.229.
2023 AORC Round 4 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 53:18.843
- Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna) 54:18.213
- Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport Group) 55:16.229
- Patrick McGillivray (KTM) 55:26.518
- Luke Bunnik (Beta, Limestone Coast Motorcycles) 58:00.479
EW
After a less than ideal start to the season in Mendooran, Gardiner came into QMP swinging! Did it pay off? It absolutely did as she leaves QMP with consecutive class wins in EW. Today’s racing was clearly no issue for the seasoned Enduro racer, who finished Round 4 with a total time of 1:00:54.485.
Husqvarna’s Emelie Karlsson rode into second place for Round 4 after a less than perfect Round 3 result. Today’s total time of 1:03:57.036 pushed Karlsson ahead of the Ebony Nieslen (Goldentyre Australia Racing Team), who conceded for third place.
2023 AORC Round 4 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:00:54.485
- Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna) 1:03:57.036
- Ebony Nielsen (Goldentyre Australia Racing Team) 1:05:58.959
- Ariana Collins (Husqvarna) 1:07:24.236
- Courtney Rubie (KTM) 1:08:25.736
EJ
All the fire was front and centre in EJ today, for another edition of Enduro racing. Blazing a trail across the WR450F and MXstore tests, Dennett claimed his back-to-back EJ win with a total time of 53:04.004. True to form, the Yamaha boarded rider was utterly unfazed as he held a ferocious Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) at bay.
Hargy trailed Dennett all day by seconds. At the close of Round 4, Hargy claimed second place with an impressive total time of 53:31.970.
Third place was once again won by Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube), who protected vital points in this year’s Championship from the likes of Max Midwinter (Ridetune Suspension, Blue City Motorcycles) and Benjamin Lynch (Bunbury KTM, Blue Hire Pump) with the help of his total time, 56:04.961.
2023 AORC Round 4 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) 53:04.004
- Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 53:31.970
- Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube) 56:04.961
- Max Midwinter (Ridetune Suspension, Blue City Motorcycles) 57:05.413
- Benjamin Lynch (Bunbury KTM, Blue Hire Pump) 58:17.966
EM (Masters)
Once again, Bentley dominated in EM! The Yamaha boarded racer was lightyears ahead of his competition from lights out to clock off, with a staggering more than six minutes between him and second place. Bentley closed off Round 4 with a total time of 1:02:28.776.
Coming out of nowhere to steal away second place today was Vito Porto (GASGAS). Porto beat Loui Stylianou (GASGAS) to the punch thanks to a total time of 1:08:33.286. Stylianou settled for third place today, clocking in a total time of 1:09:26.439 just ahead of Kenneth Hicks (Husqvarna) and Joe Ondrus (Mjworx).
2023 AORC Round 4 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) 1:02:28.776
- Vito Porto (GASGAS) 1:08:33.286
- Loui Stylianou (GASGAS) 1:09:26.439
- Kenneth Hicks (Husqvarna) 1:09:52.880
- Joe Ondrus (Mjworx) 1:12:09.285
EV (Veterans)
Thomas pushed Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) off the top step for Round 4 in EV! With a total time of 1:01:22.576, Thomas put valuable seconds between himself and Pumpa that ensured he secured the gold.
Pumpa took home the silver in EV today, with a total time of 1:01:58.739. Rounding out our Round 4 EV podium today is Jeffrey Briggs (GASGAS), with a total time of 1:05:50.854.
2023 AORC Round 4 EV Top 5 Provisional Result:
- Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM) 1:01:22.576
- Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) 1:01:58.739
- Jeffrey Briggs (Gas Gas) 1:05:50.854
- Josh Wilson (KTM) 1:07:08.858
- Josh Murphy (KTM) 1:08:26.877
EL (Enduro Legends)
While Round 3 was awarded to Stephen Matheson (Bite Me Bakehouse, SMW Hornsby), Round 4 was only for Jenner. With a total time of 1:07:33.997, Jenner set a blistering pace all day across the WR450F and MXstore tests, leading by more than one minute.
Jason Pearce (Wearelusty, Newcastle KTM) took home second place in EL today, thanks to a total time of 1:09:16.477. Pearce had to keep Craig Treasure (Husqvarna) at bay all day, clocking off with mere seconds separating the two riders from that coveted second step. Treasure conceded for third, with a total time of 1:09:20.787. Matheson dropped from first to fourth place for Round 4.
2023 AORC Round 4 EL Top 5 Provisional Result:
- Ian Jenner (KTM) 1:07:33.997
- Jason Pearce (Wearelusty, Newcastle KTM) 1:09:16.477
- Craig Treasure (Husqvarna) 1:09:20.787
- Stephen Matheson (Bite Me Bakehouse, SMW Hornsby) 1:09:22.012
- Robert Dummer 1:14:41.678
2T (2 Stroke Cup)
Tom Teed (KTM) just couldn’t knock Horley off the top step today in 2T. After a long slog on the bike Horley claimed his back-to-back win with a total time of 58:08.162. Teed settled into a well earnt second, with a total time of 59:26.818.
The third and final podium spot was awarded to Justin Richards (Beta Australia, MX Imports), with a total time of 1:10:33.709.
2023 AORC Round 4 2T Top 5 Provisional Result:
- Jackson Horley (KTM) 58:08.162
- Thomas Teed (KTM) 59:26.818
- Justin Richards (Beta Australia, MX Imports) 1:10:33.709
- Tim Newman (Gas Gas) 1:14:02.664
- Blake Scott (FocusX) 1:16:32.626
EWD (Enduro Women’s Development)
Over in EWD, Rankine claimed a strong first place spot after five Sprints across the Offroad Advantage test. With a total time of 1:04:29.154 , Rankine finished a good\ three minutes ahead of second place.
Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) claimed second ahead of Jessica Mifsud (Young Nomads Co, Cutlass) in third. Their respective total times today was 1:07:33.440 and 1:29:41.708.
2023 AORC Round 4 EWD Top 3 Provisional Result:
- Gemma Rankine (KTM) 1:04:29.154
- Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) 1:07:33.440
- Jessica Mifsud (Young Nomads Co, Cutlass) 1:29:41.708
J4
Once again, Crimmins protected his top dog spot in J4 thanks to one red hot time of 58:35.832. Just shy of a one-minute lead, Crimmins has quickly marked himself as the one to beat this season and we can’t wait to see how he fares in Rounds 5 & 6!
Ryan Jordan (NW Motorcycles, D Signs) claimed the coveted silver for Round 4, with a total time of 59:35.244. Jordan kept the likes of Jackson Versteegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin) at bay all throughout today’s racing to protect his second place standing this entire weekend. Vertseegan settled into third place today, with a total time of 1:00:31.786.
2023 AORC Round 4 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Riley Crimmins (KTM) 58:35.832
- Ryan Jordan (NW Motorcycles, D Signs) 59:35.244
- Jackson Versteegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin) 1:00:31.786
- Oliver Paterno (Port Macquarie Motorcycles, DAS Suspensions) 1:00:58.465
- Tomas Porto (Empire Kawasaki, Onpoint suspension) 1:01:18.843
JG
It’s so often the situation that at the end of a day’s racing, Simpson sits just behind the current JG leader, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team). Not today though! Today, Simpson set a blistering speed across the Offroad Advantage test, finishing today with a total time of 46:15.679.
McDonald conceded for second today, with a total time of 48:22.801. Behind McDonald and claiming bronze was Jade Chellas (KTM), with a total time of 51:32.016.
2023 AORC Round 4 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) 46:15.679
- Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 48:22.801
- Jade Chellas (KTM) 51:32.016
- Sinead Maher (Simford Group Motorsport) 52:58.829
- Audrey Moller (Alltac) 53:17.252
J3
Groundhog Day? More like Gear’s day! It was a consecutive class win for the Yamaha racer, who finished five Offroad Advantage tests with a total time of 39:41.264. Claiming the fastest time for the Juniors today, Gear also created a sizable lead of more than two minutes ahead of his J3 competition.
Behind Gear in second place was Beau Tripcony (Husqvarna). Tripcony finished today’s tough day of Sprints with a total time of 41:55.717. Bradley Rayner was right behind Tripcony, finishing in third with a total time of 42:20.698.
Rayner was fielding red hot Sprint times from Dylan McDonald and Michael Blake to protect his bronze win. McDonald and Blake respectively finished today’s racing in fourth and fifth.
2023 AORC Round 4 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Ollie Gear (Limstone Coast Motorcylces Naracoorte, Yamaha) 39:41.264
- Beau Tripcony (Husqvarna) 41:55.717
- Bradley Rayner (KTM Newcastle) 42:20.698
- Dylan McDonald (McDonald Racing) 42:52.435
- Michael Blake (Magair Air-Conditioning & Heating) 43:05.947
J2
Harley Hutton (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) was pushed off the top step today in J2, thanks to the impressive racing displayed by Ford. Having come in at second for Round 3, Ford clearly watched Hutton’s form and used that to his advantage today. Ford closed off five Sprints with a total time of 44:09.166.
Hutton clocked off today’s Sprints with a total time of 44:55.437, ahead of Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical) in third by just shy of one minute.
2023 AORC Round 4 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Mitch Ford (Thrila Furnikation Rynopower Rivalnink) 44:09.166
- Harley Hutton (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) 44:55.437
- Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical) 45:47.102
- Kai Austin (GASGAS) 46:18.512
- Harry Hubbard 47:08.684
J1
It was back-to-back wins in J1 for Weston! With a total time of 47:46.275, he cleared a definitive lead ahead of his J1 competition by more than 40 seconds. Claiming second and third was Darcy Huston (Citycoast Motorcycles, Holeshot graphics) and Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Bongiorno), with respective total times of 48:27.661 and 51:33.263.
2023 AORC Round 4 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 47:46.275
- Darcy Huston (Citycoast Motorcycles, Holeshot graphics) 48:27.661
- Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Bongiorno) 51:33.263
- Rusty Killick (MXstore, Fasthouse) 52:05.725
- Levi Rossi (Paint Tech SA, Nicolai Farms) 53:08.763
JJ
Burchell has beaten Ryder Lambing to the gold today, switching spots after Round 3. The McDonald’s Racing team member finished five Sprints on the Offroad Advantage test with a total time of 59:19.734. Accepting second, Lambing left QMP today with a total time of 1:03:27.360.
Rounding out the JJ podium for Round 4 was Zain Lennon (GASGAS), with a total time of 1:13:51.466.
2023 AORC Round 4 JJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Ryder Burchell (McDonald’s Racing Team) 59:19.734
- Ryder Lambing (GasMoto, Monza Imports) 1:03:27.360
- Zain Lennon (GASGAS) 1:13:51.466
- Thomas Hathway (Get Switched On) 1:31:31.235
- Ashton Porter (Yamaha) 1:39:41.775
That’s a wrap here at QMP. Next we head to Edenhope, Victoria for Rounds 5 & 6 from 22-23 July.
