The opening round of the 2022 Australian Off-Road Championship was nothing short of supreme. There was no shortage of talent, speed and competition for Round 1 in Cherrabah, Queensland for Sprints.
After six laps across two tests, Round 1 was claimed by Kyron Bacon in E1, Joshua Green in E2, Andrew Wilksch in E3, Billy Hargy in EJ and Jessica Gardiner in EW. The fastest time of the day was clocked by Bacon, finishing Round 1 with a time of 1:24:40.814.
E1
The opening round E1 podium was quickly established by Kyron Bacon, Korey McMahon and Jeremy Carpentier in first, second and third place respectively.
Blitzing one massive trail today with the fastest overall time, this demon behind the handlebars has definitely set the standards high moving forward. McMahon finished today with a total time of 1:28:19.925, ahead of Carpentier on 1:29:28.864. Bacon’s teammate Blake Hollis made good time throughout today’s racing but couldn’t crack into the top three. He finished just behind Carpentier on 1:30:16.352.
E2
There was plenty of action in E2, as Fraser Higlett, Todd Waters and Michael Driscoll fought to secure their spots on the podium.
Josh Green remained well ahead of the pack, demonstrating his long-serving prowess in Enduro, finishing with a total time of 1:26:00.326.
After hours in the saddle, the remaining two podium spots were clinched by Driscoll and Waters, with respective times of 1:28:20.138 and 1:28:22.905.
“We had a good day here in Cherrabah. The track was challenging so I played it smart. Once I got the lead, I figured that’s the perfect start to the season,” explained today’s E2 winner, Green.
“I had a little crash in one test that cost me some time but all in all we had a good day! Being first in class is a great start to the year!”
E3
Andrew Wilksch has definitely solidified his petition for top spot in E3 this season, comfortably landing in first place with a total time of 1:25:55.205. The Husqvarna mounted rider remained ahead of the pack, building a lead time of just over one minute.
Second place was awarded to Jonte Reynders with a total time of 1:27:27.343. Third place was clinched by Stefan Granquist, rounding out bronze with a time of 1:29:36.139.
EJ
In EJ, Billy Hargy and Riley McGillivray tangoed for that coveted top spot. After six laps though, Hargy came out victorious with an impressive lead of nearly 40 seconds. Hargy finished with a total time of 1:31:45.069.
McGillivray took second place ahead of William Dennett and Campbell Hall, with a total time of 1:32:23.178. Dennett rode into third place today, with a time of 1:41:15.030.
EW (Women’s)
True to form and clearly not missing a beat after nearly 12 months off from AORC, Jessica Gardiner well and truly won first place in EW today.
Finishing Round 1 with a total time of 1:47:32.579, Gardiner demonstrated her utter comfort on the WR450F and Beta test tracks, putting a total of roughly seven minutes between her and second place.
Ebony Nielsen rode comfortably into second place with a total time of 1:54:28.220. Third place was clinched by Emelie Karlsson, finishing today with a time of 2:00:52.223.
The Seniors return tomorrow bright and early, for Round 2 featuring another day of Sprints.
2022 AORC E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:24:40.814
2 Korey McMahon (Gas Gas Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:19.925
3 Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) 1:29:28.864
4 Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad racing Team) 1:30:16.352
5 William Price (Empire Kawasaki) 1:32:09.289
2022 AORC E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
1 Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:26:00.326
2 Michael Driscoll (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:20.138
3 Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:28:22.905
4 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:29:22.150
5 Callum Norton (Motul Pirello Sherco Racing Team) 1:32:08.452
2022 AORC E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
1 Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:25:55.205
2 Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 1:27:27.343
3 Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:29:36.139
4 Broc Grabham 1:33:06.205
5 Hayden Keeley 1:34:00.527
2022 AORC EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
1 Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:31:45.069
2 Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:32:23.178
3 William Dennett 1:41:15.030
4 Campbell Hall (Halls Transport Repairs) 1:42:32.929
5 Kobi Wolff 1:43:38.637
2022 AORC EW Top 5 Provisional Results:
1 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team) 1:47:32.579
2 Ebony Nielsen 1:54:28.220
3 Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 2:00:52.223
4 Julie Denyer 2:13:05.358
5 Charlotte Gamble 2:20:19.088
