‰ÛÏIn prologue I was fourth fastest, and my main goal was to place in the top ten to set myself up for a good start, said Williscroft. ‰ÛÏMy prologue position got me to start with the front runners, and even though I rode my own race, I moved up a position to ride into Finke in third.
‰ÛÏI had a couple of dramas with arm pump early on in the race, but I was still really happy with my times on the KTM.
‰ÛÏOn the way back to Alice Springs, Caleb Auricht took off second, and he was one minute and 15 seconds in front of me, so he was my immediate benchmark. I also had Chad Billet one minute behind me, so I had to go hard. All I wanted to do was get into second to get 1-2 for KTM, with Grabbo, and me both on the podium.
‰ÛÏI caught Caleb in the whoop section, and he had a bike drama which gave me an advantage, and I quickly moved into second. Once I was in second I was charging harder, and then some challenges struck with a flat tyre about the 120km mark. I then had to ride with caution for around 40kms to the second fuel stop, in hope that the tyre didn‰Ûªt come off the rim.
‰ÛÏWhen I pulled into the second fuel stop Chad Billett ended up passing me, but once the tyre was changed I passed him back within 15kms to regain second, which is where I rode home across the finish line.
‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm stoked that Grabham and I got KTM one and two on the podium, as a racer, and team manager you couldn‰Ûªt ask for better results. After all the preparation, pre-training, and testing we put in I feel our results are deserving, and we‰Ûªre really thankful to everyone who pulled in to help us out.
GHR Honda rider Chad Billett finished 3rd Outright.
Chad commented; ‰ÛÏA big thanks to Marty and Simon and all the GHR crew, along with my family. The bike didn't miss a beat all weekend, it was good to stand on the outright podium and win the class. I‰Ûªm now keener than ever to get to the top step next year.‰Û
