The opening round of the Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore introduced great racing, where leading contenders Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha) and Daniel Milner (KTM) finished equal on points at Kempsey, NSW.

The weather was hot and dry, the dust was building and riders had to learn a new course before they nailed down their racing lines early to bring the fight in the respective classes. The battle was on.

Pro Enduro
The round two course was largely fast and open, which suited the E2 and E3 motorcycles best as they occupied eight of the top 10 places.

E2 riders dominated the times in the journey to become Pro Enduro champion. Ruprecht and Milner traded blows in the times with nothing separating them. Will Dennett (Yamaha) and Andy Wilksch (Beta) again battled throughout as did Korey McMahon and Jonte Reynders (both KTM). Reynders, however, would come unstuck in the second test dropping approximately 15 seconds and to sixth in the order. Jye Dixon (Beta), Jeremy Carpenter (Yamaha), Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha) and Tom Buxton (GasGas) round out the top 10.

Ruprecht and Milner leave Kempsey equal on points

E1
Despite a fall early in the day, Reynders held sway and had a solid lead. Still taking it easy following recent surgery, he continued to push within his limits which was enough to grab victory and make it two from two to start the season.

Jett Yarnold (Yamaha) continued his impressive performance into round two as he fought off a determined charge by Fraser Higlett (Yamaha) to snatch the third fastest time in the opening two tests. Sheidow continued his march forward over the day, finishing a creditable second place. Higlett threw down his fastest time in the final test to ensure he would finish third for the day. Yarnold finished in fourth.

Reynders was fast despite a minor incident

E2
The battle for supremacy in E2 is already heating up with Ruprecht topping the leaderboard by 1.6secs over Milner after the first test.

However, this would not stop the determination of Milner as he chipped away at the times, turning it into a lead of 0.38secs going into the fifth and final test. Dennett, aboard his Shop Yamaha Off-Road motorcycle, was flying as he staged an intense battle with Wilksch to win two tests each going into the final. At the close, Milner held strongest, clearing a time 3.1secs faster than Ruprecht to secure his first round victory for the new season. Ruprecht finished second with a big push in the final test, while Wilksch finished in third overall. The top five was rounded out by Dennett and Carpentier.

Milner was too strong in round two

E3
McMahon was unmatched in E3, comfortably piloting his KTM machine around the new layout at Kempsey. Notably, he secured the fourth fastest time in the fourth and fifth test respectively to secure the win in round two. Quiet early on, Dickson found more speed as the day wore on but was never close enough to mount a challenge for the top step and finished the day in second. The battle for third, however, was well and truly on and came down to the final test. Josh Whitehead (KTM) sat ahead of Riley McGillivray (Husqvarna) by 2.2secs, but misfortune struck for the former and was unable to finish the final test, handing third to the latter.

McMahon was the benchmark in E3

EW
It did not take long for EW newcomer Madi Simpson (Yamaha) to be battling up the front, snagging the win in round two, making her presence felt for the championship.

Jess Gardiner (Yamaha) rode solid but was unable to keep up the pace, eventually settling for second to pick up valuable championship points. Ebony Nielson (Beta) rounded out the podium in third.

Madi Simpson collected her first win in EW

EJ
Under trying conditions, the EJ crew put on an incredible display of skill and talent.

Oliver Paterno (Yamaha) was quickest on four of the five tests with Kogan Lock snagging the fastest time in the fifth test and finished second. They are locked equal on points in the championship standings. Will McInnes finished third with some very impressive times over the final two tests.

Oliver Paterno is the man to beat thus far in EJ

The championship will continue in Rawson, Victoria for rounds three and four on April 5-6.

Images: Troy Pears