The battle for Pro Enduro supremacy is set to reignite as the 2025 season heads into the sandy terrain of Tintinara (SA) for rounds five and six of the Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore (AusEnduro), promising a new challenge for riders.

Daniel Milner and Wil Ruprecht are set to resume their fierce rivalry, but with testing conditions and the unpredictable nature of enduro momentum could certainly shift in the blink of an eye – not only between the top runners but a swathe of other riders out to steal some of the glory.

Pro Enduro: Milner leads the way
With just 4pts separating Daniel Milner (DM31 KTM Racing Team) and Wil Ruprecht (Shop Yamaha Off-Road Racing Team), the battle for the Pro Enduro crown is intensifying. Both riders have been inseparable, trading test wins over the first four rounds, each fighting to be the first to break away in the championship standings.

The battle for the minor positions is just as tight, with only 7pts separating third through seventh place. Jonte Reynders (DM31 KTM Racing Team) sits in third and, coming off a solid performance in Rawson, is expected to be a major contender. However, his smaller E1 machine will face a true test in the deep sand of Tintinara. Andrew Wilksch (Beta Australia Enduro Team), Korey McMahon (DM31 KTM Racing Team), and Will Dennettt  (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) – currently in positions 4-6 – will continue to push for a spot on the podium.

Meanwhile, Jye Dickson’s sand-riding prowess on the Beta Australia Enduro Team machine positions him as a potential dark horse and could position himself at the top at the close of the round.

Milner sliding his way to the lead

E1: Reynders perfection to be tested
Reynders has laid down a dominant marker in 2025, taking out four wins in a row to kick off his campaign with a perfect 100pt haul. His unmatched consistency has earned him a 16pt lead over the chasing pack as the series heads into round five.

Hot on his heels are BLU CRU Yamaha duo Cooper Sheidow and Fraser Higlett, locked in a tight battle for second. Just 8pts separate the two, with their test times similar since the start of the AusEnduro Championship.

Much like the high-stakes Pro Enduro class, the fight for minor placings has been nothing short of fierce, with a logjammed mid-table that features Stefan Granquist (Triumph Australia), Jett Yarnold (BLU CRU Yamaha), Ryan Hayward (KTM), Eli Tripcony (Husqvarna) and William Price (Empire Motorsports Kawasaki) all jockeying for position.

Granquist was a standout at Rawson’s round three, using his veteran experience to secure a podium finish. Not to be outdone, Tripcony delivered his best performance of the season the day after, claiming an impressive fourth which could mark a turning point in his campaign.

With the championship heating up and only tighter margins likely ahead, all eyes will be on Tintinara as Reynders aims to extend his winning streak and his rivals look to close the gap.

Will Jonte Reynders’ winning streak continue?

E2: locked in a dead heat
Championship heavyweights Milner and Ruprecht are tied at the top with 94pts apiece. Both riders have been in stellar form, trading wins and refusing to give an inch in what is shaping up to be a season-long rivalry.

With the series heading to Tintinara – renowned for its punishing sand and unpredictable terrain –  both Milner and Ruprecht will be tested to their limits in the South Australian conditions.

Wilksch, currently third on 78pts, has been sharpening his pace during the break with wins at recent state championship events. That added momentum could be the edge he needs to mount a serious challenge for the top step.

Just behind, Dennett sits fourth on 74pts. His consistent performance through the opening rounds positions him well to capitalise if the frontrunners falter in the sand.

Meanwhile, Tom Buxton (Gas Gas Australia) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha) are hunting for breakthrough results. Both riders are eager to close the gap and insert themselves into podium contention as the season intensifies.

Wil Ruprecht hunger to return to the top

E3: McMahon sets the pace
McMahon has started the 2025 season in commanding fashion, taking three wins and one runner-up finish to sit on 97pts at the top of the table. His pace and consistency make him a strong favourite heading into round five/

However, pressure is mounting from Dickson, who broke through with his first win of the season in round four. Now just 6pts behind on 91, Dickson could be a serious threat in the sands of Tintinara – a surface he’s well versed in thanks to his sand-heavy training base. With strong results in both E3 and Pro Enduro, he’s one to watch across both divisions this weekend.

Riley McGillivray (Husqvarna Australia) holds third place on 80pts, continuing to chip away at the leaders with quiet consistency. The battle behind him is heating up, with KTM duo Joshua Whitehead and Max Rikys tied on 60pts in fourth and fifth respectively. The pair have been evenly matched through the opening rounds and will both be looking for a breakout ride to separate themselves from the midfield.

Jye Dickson grabbed his first win in round 4

EJ: Lock strong on top
In the EJ class, Kogan Lock (GASGAS) has been dominant, claiming victory in three of the four rounds so far and leading the standings with 97pts. Lock is poised to continue his strong form, but he’s not without challengers. Will McInnes (KTM), currently second on 80pts, has shown impressive speed in individual tests and is closing the gap. Oliver Paterno (Yamaha, 74pts), the only other rider to notch a round win this season, is hungry for redemption after a tough outing in Rawson.

Fletcher Tucker (KTM) and Bjorn Cardenas (KTM) surged up the leader board following standout cross-country performances in Rawson, now sitting fourth and fifth with 68 and 59pts respectively.

Kogan Lock dominates

Jessica Gardiner ripping turns

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Images: Troy Pears