Image: John Pearson.

Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing’s Luke Styke has been crowned the E1 champion at Hedley’s 11th and final round of the 2019 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), as champions Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) and Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) picked up class wins.

Sanders returned to the top spot in the unofficial outright classification, forcing Milner to accept second over Josh Green (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing).

In the E3 division, Sanders, who won the title in South Australia two weeks ago, became undefeated in the category as he won ahead of Andy Wilksch (Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team) and Tom Mason (KTM). Jesse Lawton (Husqvarna) and Matt Murry (Kawasaki Castrol Off Road Team) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Milner also became undefeated in the E2 class after being crowned champion in yesterday’s penultimate round, comfortably defeating Green, followed by Stefan Granquist (Yamaha), Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha MX Store Ballards Off-Road Team) and Matthew Phillips (KTM).

Styke emerged victorious to clinch the E1 title, edging out teammate Michael Driscoll (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing) for the top spot. Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) was third ahead of Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) and Lachlan Allan (Kawasaki Castrol Off-Road Team).

In the Women’s category, Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha MX Store Ballards Off-Road Team) claimed a record fifth title, as Kyron Bacon (KTM) lifted the EJ title.

Detailed results

Image: John Pearson.

KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Daniel Milner has won the E2 title at Hedley’s 10th round of the 2019 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), while Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) and Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) scored class wins.

It was Milner who reigned supreme in the unofficial outright classification, also joined in the top three by Sanders and Snodgrass.

In the E3 division, newly-crowned champion Sanders continued his dominance, claiming victory over Andy Wilksch (Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team) and Tom Mason (KTM), as Jesse Lawton (Husqvarna) and Matt Murry (Castrol Kawasaki Australia) completed the top five.

Milner also remained dominant in the E2 category to lift the crown, comfortably defeating Josh Green (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha MX Store Ballards Off-Road Team), followed by Stefan Granquist (Yamaha) and Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team).

Snodgrass kept his E3 title hopes alive by topping the category, however points leader Luke Styke (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing) still holds a relatively comfortable advantage heading into tomorrow’s final after scoring P2. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) was third ahead of Michael Driscoll (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing) and Lachlan Allan (Kawasaki Castrol Off-Road Team)

Emelie Karlsson (Yamaha) and Mason Semmens (Davey Motorsports KTM) were victorious in the Women’s and EJ categories. Racing resumes tomorrow for the 11th and final round.

Detailed results

Image: Foremost Media.

Recently-crowned Pirelli MX Nationals MXD champion Regan Duffy will replace Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) on Team Australia for the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at Assen in the Netherlands this month.

Duffy, just 17 years of age, will pilot a Raceline KTM Thor 450 SX-F in the Open category, fulfilling the spot vacated by Evans, who’s been forced out of event with ‘ongoing medical concerns’.

Despite his youth, the Western Australian has adequate experience aboard the 450, beating CDR Yamaha Monster Energy duo Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout, plus fellow MXoN team member Kyle Webster (Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing), at this year’s Manjimup 15,000, while he’s won 13 from 14 motos in the MX1 category of the WA state-based championship.

Duffy boasts an exceptional skillset in the sand, which will prove beneficial in the man-made Assen sandpit circuit, while the chance to represent Australia at the prestigious race marks a greater opportunity for the Raceline rider, as a strong showing will strengthen his chances of earning a desired international ride in the future.

“It’s massive for and it’s always been a dream of mine,” Duffy explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’ve always watched the Des Nations and been in awe of all the countries coming together to do battle. To go over there and race the best guys in the world at 17 is just next level.

“I do all my training on the 450 – I literally ride my 450 all the time. I don’t really have any expectations – I’m going to give 100 percent and do the best that I can, but I don’t really know where I’ll be at. I think if I put in a good result, people will take notice of me – it’s a big event for me – it’s not just Des Nations, it’s my future.”

Duffy joins triple Australian champion Dean Ferris (Raceline Recover8 KTM) and Webster for the 28-29 September event. Dual Australian MX2 champion, Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), withdrew his MXoN application last month, making himself unavailable for selection. The Queenslander has locked in an MX2 World Championship deal for next year.

Image: John Pearson.

Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing’s Josh Green is targeting his first E2 class victory of the season this weekend at Hedley’s final two rounds of the 2019 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in Victoria.

The New South Welshman has fallen short to points leader Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) all season long, earn runner-up result in the nine rounds so far.

“While our season draws to a close, there is still plenty of motivation to keep riding and training,” said Green. “I want to finish the AORC off on a strong note and try to win a round or two before the year is out.

“And also with the ISDE just around the corner, it presents another opportunity to fine-tune everything in race conditions.I will give it my all and see how it goes.”

Green currently sits 27 points Milner in the E2 championship standings, where a win in Saturday’s 10th round will take the title down to Sunday’s finale.

Image: Supplied.

Penrite Honda Racing has uncovered plans to expand its efforts overseas, revealing three-time Australian supercross champion and recently-signed Team Honda HRC rider Justin Brayton will race the Montreal Supercross in Penrite colours this weekend in Canada.

Team owner Yarrive Konsky is understood to be assessing possible ongoing opportunities internationally, having spent considerable time in America over recent months.

“I have always wanted to explore overseas opportunities and Justin generously proposed a mutual venture,” Konksy explained. “Our primary partners were excited to get involved and this weekend will mark our first foray in international competition.”

Brayton, who races supercross-only, will return to Australia as he attempts to claim a fourth consecutive crown in the revamped series, which is set to take place over five rounds, visiting New Zealand for the S-X Open Auckland before the AUS-X Open Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

It was announced today that the American will rejoin the factory Team Honda HRC outfit for the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

Brayton will join Brett Metcalfe and fellow American Chris Blose on the domestic Penrite Honda Racing for the Australian series, while an additional rider signing is still to be revealed. The Australian Supercross Championship launches on 12 October at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Image: Supplied.

Team Honda HRC has signed Justin Brayton and Chase Sexton for the 2020 season in a unique deal that will see the latter remain with Geico Honda in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX series before stepping up to the premier class with the HRC squad for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Brayton has spent the last four years as a supercross-only rider, using the regular off-season to race the Australian Supercross Championship – a title he’s won three consecutive times and will attempt a fourth crown this year with Penrite Honda Racing.

The number 10 has been a member of the Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda over the last three seasons with the support of HRC, and will now return to the factory squad.

“I’m beyond excited to be riding for factory Honda in the 2020 supercross season,” said Brayton. “Riding with the team in 2012 was the achievement of a dream for me, and I had my best season so far that year. Now I feel like I’m living my dream all over again, just a little older and more experienced to be able to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Sexton, the 2019 250SX East champion, has signed a multi-year agreement with Team Honda HRC that will see him through the 2023 season, although he will not defend his crown next year, and will instead race the 250SX West series with Geico Honda before his premier class graduation in the outdoors.

“I’m super excited to be joining Team Honda HRC,” Sexton commented. “Factory Honda is a team that I’ve wanted to ride for since I was a kid, so to have this opportunity is honestly a dream come true. I’m looking forward to starting this journey with them, and I think it will be a successful one.

“I think the CRF450R suits me because I’m a bigger guy and I ride it well. Still, 2020 is going to be a learning year for sure. I’m just getting my feet wet in the 450 class, and it will be good to have an outdoor series under my belt to get me ready for a full 17-round 2021 Supercross series.

“I’m also looking forward to being teammates with Ken. We’re pretty close friends and train together every day, so I think this will push us both and take us to the next level. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to have under the tent, with his speed and knowledge.”

It was confirmed in May that Ken Roczen will remain with Team Honda HRC through the 2022 season.

Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Gautier Paulin is anticipating a ‘totally difference experience’ this weekend as the MXGP World Championship heads to Shangai in China for the very first time.

Paulin currently holds third in the championship standings ahead of the season finale, however he’ll have a fight on his hands for the position with in-form Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff (Standing Construct KTM), who sits just 11 points in arrears.

“I am looking forward to China,” Paulin commented. “I had a really good feeling in Turkey last weekend, the result wasn’t where I wanted it to be, but I felt really healthy and strong. The track in China looks good from the pictures that I have seen.

“It will be a totally different experience and atmosphere out there and I really love to go to new tracks, so I can’t wait to be there. I am looking forward to a safe trip out there and to enjoying it with our full crew where we hope to make some good results.”

Following this weekend’s world championship finals, Paulin will represent defending champion squad Team France at Assen’s 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the Netherlands.

Image: John Pearson.

Following the cancellation of the 2019 edition, Motorcycling Australia (MA) has confirmed the venues that will host the Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE) in 2020 and 2021.

The Dandenong Motorcycle Club will host the next year’s instalment at Erica in Victoria, while the Trail and Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA will host the 2021 edition in Harvey, Western Australia.

The Erica location is set to offer the perfect landscape for the highly-anticipated event on 6-9 May in the local shire of Baw Baw, where the venue will include excellent spectator vantage points, plus easy access from the township.

“Many older Enduro enthusiasts will have fond memories of the 1987 A4DE at Erica with the Parc Ferme on the edge of the state forest that contains epic enduro trails in typical Victorian heavily treed gum forests,” said Dandenong Motorcycle Club’s Frank Gogol.

“With the event scheduled for May, the trail conditions should be prime. With the assistance of DELWP and Parks Victoria, the trails have been approved for use and are vast within the surrounding state forests. Long trail loops planned with the Parc Ferme at the hub of the expansive trail network.”

The A4DE will head to Harvey, which hosted the prestigious event in 2013, in 2021, taking place in the stunning southwest region of Western Australia.

“The Trail and Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA is proud to once again be hosting the A4DE in Western Australia,” said Collin Jennings of the Trail and Enduro Motorcycle Club of WA. “The 2021 event will be based around the township of Harvey approximately 140km south of Perth.

“The event will provide riders and spectators with three full days of completely different type of terrain and will conclude with the traditional final natural terrain moto. Dates and details will be released in the coming months, and preparations for the 2021 A4DE are well underway – we look forward to holding another top-class event in the west.”

This year’s A4DE, which was due to take place at Moruya in New South Wales, was cancelled after lengthy delays in receiving government approvals.