2023

Where there’s a Will, there’s a way

Picture this. The sun is beating down. There’s not a cloud in the sky. All you can hear is engines all around you. It’s dusty. It’s hot. Where else would you rather be?! Welcome to Round 9 of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC)!

We’re here in Kyogle, New South Wales (NSW) for red hot Sprints all day, tackling the risk of dehydration against clinching the fastest time in your class. After a hard day on the bike, the victors on the WR450F test was Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) in Tefol E2, Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna) in E3, Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW, Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) in EJ and Riley Crimmins (KTM) in J4.

Over on the Offroad Advantage test, it was Damian Smith (Yamaha) in EM who took out the win, Darren Lloyd (Husqvarna) in EV, Michael Byrnes (All Parts & Accessories, GASGAS) in EL and Ben Bertinazzi (KTM) in 2T. For our remaining Junior classes over on the MXstore test track, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) finished with glory in JG, Bradley Rayner (KTM Newcastle, Dungog MCC) in J3, Harley Hutton (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) in J2, Levi Rossi (Paint Tech SA, Nicolai Farms) in J1 and Ryder Burchell (McDonald’s Racing Team) in JJ.

Fastest overall time today was secured by none other than Bacon, with a total time of 1:03:39.485. Honourable mention goes out to Dennett, who finished just 0.077 seconds behind Bacon!

Just like in Round 8, Bacon just couldn’t be beat in E1 today. The Tasmanian was quite clearly unfazed by the hot weather and tricky tracks, utilising his invaluable patience to win gold. With a total time of 1:03:39.485, Bacon finished in first with a lead on second place by nearly one-minute.

GASGAS’s Korey McMahon took out second place, fending off Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha) for silver. Although an NSW local, McMahon couldn’t find the right groove to knock Bacon off the top step in time. No doubt we’ll see the GASGAS boarded racer with a point to prove tomorrow.

Sheidow settled for third place, beating the likes of Kawasaki’s Will Price and Yamaha’s Scott Keegan for the final podium spot.

2023 AORC Round 9 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:03:39.485
Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 1:04:30.492
Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha) 1:05:06.554
Will Price (Empire Kawasaki Off Road Team) 1:05:21.992
Scott Keegan (Yamaha) 1:07:56.647

Tefol E2

The Motul Pirelli Sherco racer has carried over his success in Keyneton, over into Kyogle as he clinched another coveted Tefol E2 win! The Tasmanian local was on fire today, screaming across the seven-kilometre test to absolutely blitz the competition. Reynders finished in first place today, with just over 20-seconds up his sleeve.

Current Tefol E2 Championship leader board holder, Josh Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) took out second place today. Thanks to the challenging heat and slippery tracks, the NSW racer finished today with a total time of 1:04:23.474.

Rounding out the Tefol E2 podium was Andy Wilksch (KTM Australia, Alpinestars). The KTM speedster secured his third place position thanks to a total time of 1:04:41.072. Wilksch beat the likes of Fraser Higlett (Beta) and Jye Dickson (GASGAS) for the final podium spot.

2023 AORC Round 9 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 1:04:03.035
Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:04:23.474
Andy Wilksch (KTM Australia, Alpinestars) 1:04:41.072
Jye Dickson (GASGAS) 1:04:57.930
Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:05:21.251

It’s Granquist’s time to shine! The Husqvarna boarded racer has enjoyed a fantastic win here in Kyogle for E3 thanks to a total time of 1:05:43.031. An NSW local, the conditions and weather clearly suited our top dog for Round 9.

Behind Granquist by just over 10-seconds, in second place today was KTM’s Riley McGillivray. With a total time of 1:05:53.214, McGillivray demonstrates his pure prowess in Enduro racing as he continues to grow. We’re all waiting now to see how fierce the competition will be tomorrow, as McGillivray works to dethrone Granquist.

Simford’s Sam Pretscherer secured bronze, thanks to a total time of 1:06:55.758.

2023 AORC Round 9 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna) 1:05:43.031
Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:05:53.214
Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport Group) 1:06:55.758
Patrick McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, Tunetech Suspension) 1:12:01.063
Thomas Henry (Beta) 1:13:31.593

True to form and continuing her winning streak, Gardiner took out the Round 9 EW win here in Kyogle. Although it featured super technical sections and dust aplenty, Gardiner comfortably stayed at the front of the EW pack all day long. The Yamaha boarded racer finished today with a total time of 1:15:14.251.

Behind Gardiner in second was Queensland’s (QLD) Ebony Nielsen (Beta). With a total time of 1:15:49.832, Nielsen seemed very at home in the dusty, tricky and slippery conditions. We dare say the heat also suited Nielsen just fine.

Rounding out the EW podium today was Husqvarna’s Emelie Karlsson. Clinching bronze thanks to a total time of 1:16:32.145, Karlsson just couldn’t seem to find her groove today but we’re sure she’ll back with a point to prove, bright and early tomorrow.

2023 AORC Round 9 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:

Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:15:14.251
Ebony Nielsen (Beta) 1:15:49.832
Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna) 1:16:32.145
Taylor Thompson (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 1:22:26.380
Courtney Rubie (KTM) 1:23:43.719

Another NSW local, it was Dennett’s day here in Kyogle. The EJ victor was a sight to see, proving that you can absolutely demolish the competition even if you’re over six feet [and counting]. Dennett clocked off today with a total time of 1:03:39.562, fronting EJ with a lead of just under three-minutes.

Husqvarna’s Billy Hargy had a fantastic day, jumping up into second place with a total time of 1:06:28.273. Another NSW local, Hargy has been a solid presence at the front of the EJ pack all season long.

Finishing in third today was up and comer, Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube). A demon behind the handlebars, it’s no surprise the Yamaha riders finished in third. Yarnold clocked off today with a total time of 1:07:07.828.

2023 AORC Round 9 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:

Will Dennett (Yamaha Australia) 1:03:39.562
Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:06:28.273
Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Australia, Yamalube) 1:07:07.828
Jackson Horley (MPE, GASGAS) 1:09:26.985
Luke Chellas (Northbound Driver Training, KTM) 1:10:02.110

EM (Masters)

It was Cool Runnings for Smith, as he claimed the EM Round 9 win on the Offroad Advantage test. With a total time of 43:04.925, Smith lead the charge all day as he clocked in red hot test after test. After six tests, Smith finished more than two-minutes ahead of second place.

It was familiar favourite, Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) who finished in second. With a total time of 45:54.427, Bentley just couldn’t get past Smith for the top step, conceding instead for silver. Rounding out the EM podium today was Sam Miller (Hartley Service Centre, KTM), thanks to a total time of 46:41.990.

2023 AORC Round 9 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:

Damian Smith (Husqvarna) 43:04.925
Leigh Bentley (Yamaha) 45:54.427
Sam Miller (Hartley Service Centre, KTM) 46:41.990
Jamie Armstrong (Alpine Motorcycles, Yamaha) 47:10.476
Raymond Groves (KTM) 47:14.296

EV (Veterans)

NSW’s Llyod has claimed an exciting victory in EV for Round 9! After six tests and a total time of 43:03.355, he separated himself from the pack to lead by more than one-minute.

Ben McDonnell rode into second place for Round 9, keeping current EV leader board holder, Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) at bay by just shy of 15 seconds. Pumpa conceded for third place, retaining valuable points to protect his standing.

McDonnell and Pumpa clocked off today with respective total times of 44:21.699 and 44:36.045.

2023 AORC Round 9 EV Top 5 Provisional Result:

Darren Lloyd (Husqvarna) 43:03.355
Brett McDonnell 44:21.699
Rowan Pumpa (Kessner Motorcycles, Motorex) 44:36.045
Terry Hopmans (Yamaha) 45:23.366
Daniel Welsh (Hunter Moto, Yamaha) 45:34.568

EL (Enduro Legends)

The action was packed in EL today, with seconds separating most of our top five line-up! Coming out victorious after six goes of the Offroad Advantage test was Byrnes, who finished with a total time of 46:04.552.

Behind Byrnes in second place for Round 9 was Zac Williams (Husqvarna). With a total time of 47:19.950, Williams just made it onto the second step, with just over three seconds to spare. Grant O’Brien (Beta) conceded for third place behind Williams, with a total time of 47:23.037. O’Brien also fought off the likes of Craig Treasure (Husqvarna) and Robert Dummer (MotoLab Coffs, Husqvarna) for the bronze.

2023 AORC Round 9 EL Top 5 Provisional Result:

Michael Byrnes (All Parts & Accessories, GASGAS) 46:04.552
Zac Williams (Husqvarna) 47:19.950
Grant O’Brien (Beta) 47:23.037
Craig Treasure (Husqvarna) 47:47.158
Robert Dummer (MotoLab Coffs, Husqvarna) 48:30.884

Over in 2T, Bertinazzi utterly smoked out the competition. With a total time of 43:44.751, Bertinazzi finished six tests with a huge lead of just over seven minutes. Blake Scott (KTM) claimed silver, ahead of Tim Newman (Clearview Innovations, GASGAS) in third. Their respective total times for Round 9 was 51:15.787 and 51:47.391.

2023 AORC Round 9 2T Top 5 Provisional Result:

Ben Bertinazzi (KTM) 43:44.751
Blake Scott (KTM) 51:15.787
Tim Newman (Clearview Innovations, GASGAS) 51:47.391
Mahdi Green (Clearview Innovations, KTM) 52:01.636
David Wagner (Yamaha) 58:02.336

EWD (Enduro Women’s Development)

The EWD class tackled a hard day on a super technical test. After six test laps though, Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) clocked in the fastest time of 55:18.829. She was followed by Gemma Rankine (KTM) and Emily-Rose Higgs (Yamaha) for the second and third fastest times, respectively.

2023 AORC Round 9 EWD Top 3 Provisional Result:

Shaylynne Kuhnke (Yamaha) 55:18.829
Gemma Rankine (KTM) 58:11.767
Emily-Rose Higgs (Yamaha) 1:33:35.672

Carrying his glory from Keyneton into Kyogle, Crimmins has once again claimed the J4 win. With a total time of 1:10:15.302, Crimmins comfortably led the charge in J4, clocking off after five tests with a lead of over two-minutes!

Behind Crimmins in second place was Jackson Vertseegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin), who has jumped up from his third-place finish back in Keyneton. Rounding out the podium for Round 9 was Tomas Porto (Empire Kawasaki), thanks to a total time of 1:13:32.603.

2023 AORC Round 9 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Riley Crimmins (KTM) 1:10:15.302
Jackson Versteegen (Savage Motorcycles, Michelin) 1:12:21.397
Tomas Porto (Empire Kawasaki) 1:13:32.603
Levi Stephens 1:13:42.903
Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 1:14:35.176

She just seems unstoppable, doesn’t she? McDonald has taken out another JG class win, finishing Round 9 with a total time of 57:01.275. Clocking in blistering test times all day on the MXstore track, McDonald just couldn’t be beat as she created more than a two-minute lead from her competition.

Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) once again claimed second place. Simpson clocked off five tests with a total time of 59:19.562. Her determination all day ensured she kept well ahead of the remaining JG pack.

In third was Jade Chellas (KTM). After five tests, Chellas clocked off with a total time of 1:06:41.837.

2023 AORC Round 9 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:

Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 57:01.275
Madi Simpson (Honda Ride Red, Fly Racing) 59:19.562
Jade Chellas (KTM) 1:06:41.837
Sinead Maher (Simford Group Motorsport) 1:09:39.649
Amity Cork 1:10:07.496

It was a battle right up until the fifth test in J3. After a long, hot day here in Kyogle, Rayner claimed the victory with a total time of 56:41.936. Just 5.159 seconds in front, Rayner had his work cut out for him all day as he tussled with Ollie Gear (Limestone Coast Motorcycles, Yamaha Australia).

Gear conceded for second place today, with a total time of 56:46.777. Considering that Gear has consistently sat in first place all season long, we’re expecting Gear to come into Round 10 with a point to prove.

Dylan McDonald claimed the third and final podium spot. After five goes across the MXstore test, McDonald clocked off with a total time of 57:38.134.

2023 AORC Round 9 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Bradley Rayner (KTM Newcastle, Dungog MCC) 56:41.936
Ollie Gear (Limestone Coast Motorcycles, Yamaha Australia) 56:46.777
Dylan McDonald (McDonald Racing) 57:38.134
Beau Tripcony (Husqvarna Motorex) 58:24.300
Cooper Boyd (Port Macquarie Motorcycles, Mid Coast Bearings Taree) 58:24.554

It was a fierce battle in J2 for Round 9 glory! After five hard laps under the hot QLD sun, Hutton claimed glory by a mere .535 second lead. Behind the Yamaha boarded racer in second by a hair’s breadth was Mitch Ford (Thrila Furnikation Rynopower Rivalnink). Ford claimed second place thanks to a total time of 59:29.574.

The third and final spot was clinched by Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical), who rode in right behind the feisty duo in first and second. Gilbertson clocked off with a total time of 1:00:07.041.

2023 AORC Round 9 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Harley Hutton (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) 59:29.039
Mitch Ford (Thrila Furnikation Rynopower Rivalnink) 59:29.574
Harry Gilbertson (Brandt John Deere, Sears Electrical) 1:00:07.041
Kai Austin (GASGAS) 1:00:45.008
Harry Hubbard (Tdub, QB4) 1:01:14.581

Rossi has jumped up into first place today, knocking rival Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) off the top step! With a total time of 1:04:07.606, Rossi led an impressive charge in J1 with a lead of just under one minute!

He currently leads the Championship leader board for J1, with Rossi in third overall but today, Weston conceded for second place. With a total time of 1:05:00.523, Weston just couldn’t beat Rossi to the gold.

Last but certainly not least was Cooper Clarke (Maiden Homes, KTM). Clarke clocked off after five tests with a total time of 1:05:20.161.

2023 AORC Round 9 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:

Levi Rossi (Paint Tech SA, Nicolai Farms) 1:04:07.606
Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 1:05:00.523
Cooper Clarke (Maiden Homes, KTM) 1:05:20.161
Darcy Huston (Citycoast Motorcycles, Holeshot graphics) 1:05:38.121
Phoenix O’Brien (Inix Group, Montdami Bongiorno) 1:05:57.725

Once again, Burchell dominated the JJ competition to clinch another first place finish. With a total time of 1:09:39.142, the McDonald Racing Team racer managed to hold off Maxi Harris (Morgans Financial Port Macquarie, KTM) by nearly 20 seconds.

Harris settled for second place for Round 9, ahead of Ryder Lambing in third. Respectively, their total times were 1:09:56.834 and 1:10:31.939.

2023 AORC Round 9 JJ Top 5 Provisional Results: