Where there’s a Will, there’s a way

Published On: September 16, 2023Categories: Featured, Press Release

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!

Pictured: Kyron Bacon

E1

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:

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

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:

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

E3

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:

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

EW

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:

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

EJ

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:

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

EM (Masters)

It was Cool Runnings for Smith, as he claimed the EM Round 9 win on the