Round 9 2024 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship in Kingston SE, South Australia featured a Cross Country across super tight, technical and sandy tracks.
Thanks to overnight rainfall, conditions were primed for a perfect day of racing.
With just three Rounds remaining in the 2024 season, there’s plenty of room for drama in the fight for valuable points. Coming out victorious after a three-hour Cross Country race was Kyron Bacon in E1, Daniel Milner in E2, Jye Dickson in E3, Danielle McDonald in EW and Jett Yarnold in EJ. Each of these five riders also holds the lead in their respective class, for the 2024 Champion title.
Fastest overall time was claimed by Milner, with a total time of 2:56:00.150.
E1
Kyron Bacon was untouchable today. Although his start wasn’t perfect, the Yamaha racer managed to push ahead and sit at the front of the pack for all three hours and six laps of racing. It all came down to the final 200 metres of racing, as Bacon tangoed with Milner for the fastest overall time. Unfortunately, the Tasmanian just couldn’t quite beat Milner, falling short by just over nine seconds.
“Round 9 today was quite good,” confirmed Bacon.
“There were no breaks at any point on that track, so it was probably one of the gnarliest tracks I’ve done in a long time. It was a good race between me and Milner, as well as the other boys in my class. I know Milner and I were fighting right up until the end to get that fastest time.
“The track conditions were brutal. There were at least 1-2 metre whoops throughout, with no straights so basically no breaks. It was a mentally challenging day, that’s for sure.”
Behind Bacon in second place Korey McMahon. Claiming the hole shot, the afternoon of racing looked perfect for McMahon but his speeds just couldn’t match Bacon’s. McMahon finished Round 9 today with a total time of 2:56:09.150.
Rounding out the E1 podium today was Tom Buxton. With a total time of 3:07:12.068, Buxton comfortably protected his bronze finish from the likes of Will Price and Brock Nichols, by more than three minutes.
E2
It should be no surprise considering his track record all season long but Daniel Milner claimed another consecutive E2 class win. Milner clocked off Round 9 with the gold and fastest overall time, further cementing his prowess and expertise in all Enduro formats.
Just over five minutes behind Milner in second place for Round 9 was Andy Wilksch. Wilksch was a steady figure across the track, remaining steady and consistent to achieve his silver finish. With a total time of 3:01:23.467, Wilksch also successfully protected his podium position from Motul Pirelli Sherco’s Jonte Reynders, as well as Will Dennett.
Reynders conceded for third place today, finishing with a total time of 3:04:44.961. With his sights firmly set on collecting as many points as possible in the remaining three Rounds of the season, we’re sure Reynders will be back and breathing hard down Milner and Wilksch’s backs tomorrow.’
E3
Jye Dickson returned to the top of the E3 pack! Thanks to his work back in Queensland Moto Park for Rounds 7 & 8, Dickson also currently holds the lead in the bid for the 2024 Champion title. With a total time of 3:06:49.240, Dickson comfortably claimed his win, regardless of the challenging track.
Reflecting on a hard day of racing, Dickson explained that “Round 9 was brutal.”
“It was a long three hours out there – the track got rough pretty quickly and when you add in how tight and technical it was, it was a tough day.
“Heading into Round 10, I just need to help my body recover as quickly as possible.”
Hot on Dickson’s heels was Riley McGillivray. With a total time of 3:07:36.671, McGillivray was just 47.431 seconds behind Dickson. It’s great to see him back up near the front of the pack, in his bid to protect his Champion status. With that in mind, we’re sure he’ll come in raring to go, bright and early tomorrow for Round 10.
Rounding out the Round 9 E3 podium today was Stefan Granquist. With a total time of 3:14:22.211, Granquist couldn’t quite meet the speeds of Dickson or McGillivray but he comfortably protected his bronze from Nathan Trigg.
EW
Right from the get-go, Danielle McDonald seemed very in control of the EW field. Although she didn’t claim the holeshot, she only took seconds to reclaim the lead. While she and teammate, Jess Gardiner banged bars throughout their five laps, McDonald’s speeds just couldn’t be matched and she simply ran away with the win.
“It was a really good day for me,” confirmed McDonald.
“I managed to get a good start, a good flow and stay upright. The conditions were tough, with plenty of sand whoops and rocky edges but overall, I really enjoyed it!”
Reigning EW Champion, Gardiner conceded for second place today. With a total time of 2:59:19.209, Gardiner happily protected her silver finish from the likes of Emelie Karlsson and Ebony Nielsen. Tomorrow’s Sprints should be very exciting in EW, as Gardiner and McDonald battle it out for more valuable Championship points!
Third place was won today by Karlsson. Her racing gradually picked up and although other riders found the conditions tough, Karlsson scored her best time on the fifth and final lap! Karlsson clocked off Round 9 with a total time of 3:00:34.781.
EJ
Even more action was to be had over in EJ! Jett Yarnold claimed a hard-fought win for the top step against Eli Tripcony. After six laps, Yarnold scored gold thanks to a lead of just 34.741 seconds, leaving Tripcony in second.
Attributing his lead in today’s racing to his strong start, Yarnold explained that “Round 9 was tough. The track conditions were very choppy, rocky, with dry spots throughout.”
“It was probably one of the most challenging races I’ve done this year. It was tight competition throughout and thankfully I got a good start to help me.”
Clearly, the South Australian terrain and these tight, technical tracks suit Tripcony, so we’re excited to see what the Husqvarna racer does tomorrow to try and clinch that gold!
Last but certainly not least is Cody Howell in third place. Howell clocked off today with a total time of 3:24:22.308, a good five minutes ahead of Jackson Versteegen (Peter Stevens, Fox) in fourth.
Riders will be back bright and early tomorrow morning, for Round 10 Sprints
For Full Results Please Click Here
2024 AORC Round 9 EW Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 2:56:03.518
2 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 2:59:19.209
3 Emelie Karlsson 3:00:34.781
4 Ebony Nielsen (Beta Off-Road Team) 53:08.780
2024 AORC Round 9 E1 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) 2:56:09.150
2 Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 3:04:20.835
3 Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 3:07:12.068
2024 AORC Round 9 E2 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 2:56:00.150
2 Andrew Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team) 3:01:23.467
3 Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 3:04:44.961
2024 AORC Round 9 E3 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) 3:06:49.240
2 Riley McGillivray (KTM Australia, Shepparton Motorcycles) 3:07:36.671
3 Stefan Granquist 3:14:22.211
2024 AORC Round 9 EJ Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Motor Australia, Yamalube) 3:21:05.370
2 Eli Tripcony (Motorex, Husqvarna) 3:21:40.111
3 Cody Howell 3:24:22.308
