Round 7 of the 2024 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) at Queensland Moto Park (QMP) was a true test of endurance, featuring dusty conditions and technical tracks that challenged every rider.
Despite the tough terrain, Korey McMahon triumphed in E1, Daniel Milner in E2, Jye Dickson in E3, Danielle McDonald in EW, and Jett Yarnold in EJ. Daniel Milner also achieved the fastest overall time of the day, clocking in at 48:40.536, securing his place as the standout performer of the event.
E1
Korey McMahon finished on the top step in E1, beating the likes of Kyron Bacon and Tom Buxton for the glory. With a total time of 49:40.531, McMahon successfully kept his rivals at bay for a full day of racing, producing more than a 20-second lead.
Looking back on his time on the bike, McMahon reflected that “Today was awesome! I stayed on track and did what I needed to do! I’ve finally found my feet again.
“I loved the conditions out there. We had a great mix, with an Enduro Cross test, Enduro test and a Cross test. It’s cool to see this in Australia.”
Holding the lead before QMP in E1, Bacon has had a less-than-ideal start to the weekend. With troubles early into the day, Bacon suffered with times that just couldn’t compete with the likes of McMahon and Buxton. After 11 tests during today’s timecard Enduro though, Bacon managed to claw his way back up the leaderboard to finish in second.
Rounding out the podium was Buxton. With a total time of 51:08.643, the KTM racer seemed relatively at home on the challenging tracks. Buxton beat the likes of Will Price and Brock Nicholsfor the final podium spot.
E2
True to form, Daniel Milner was essentially untouchable in E2. Claiming another class win and the fastest overall time, the Victorian managed to clock off with a comfortable lead of nearly 30-seconds.
“Round 7 has been brutal,” confirmed Milner. “The tracks were very dusty, rocky and a lot of jolty bumps. It was hard on the body. I will say though that the tests were cool! We had a bit of an extreme one that we’re not maybe used to in Australia. We also had a bit of a Motocross test and then an Enduro test out the back that was challenging.
“We did the best we could. I felt strong on the bike and managed to reduce my mistakes, which meant we came away with a strong win.”
Close behind Milner and finishing second place was Jonte Reynders. The Motul Pirelli Sherco racer had a fantastic day on the bike, claiming a well earnt second place thanks to a total time of 49:09.775.
Rounding out the E2 podium was Andy Wilksch who clocked off with a total time of 50:05.316, fending off of Will Dennett from the final podium spot and vital Championship points.
E3
All the action was in E3 as Jye Dickson tangoed with Billy Hargy, Fraser Higlett and Riley McGillivray for the top step. With a total time of 51:02.063, Dickson just managed to clinch the gold!
“Round 7 was pretty good,” Dickson enthused. “Trails were brutal and the tests were challenging. It was all about staying consistent but I can definitely say that today kept me on my toes.”
Breathing hard down Dickson’s neck was Hargy, who clocked off just over 4-seconds behind Dickson.
Last to the podium but not least was Higlett in third with a total time of 51:30.091. Another Beta racer, Higlett successfully managed to protect his spot on the podium from McGillivray by nearly 30-seconds.
EW
Danielle McDonald continues to go from strength to strength this season, claiming another first-place finish in EW! With a total time of 56:05.153, the Yamaha racer managed to remain consistent and comfortable across the challenging conditions.
“My day went really well,” McDonald said. “I struggled in the dust and the rocks. It was pretty tough out there but obviously I am really happy with my result. I had a great start to the day and didn’t make many mistakes, which helped!
“It was great to battle it out with Jess, we definitely kept each other on our toes. Tomorrow, I plan to just keep the bike upright, minimise mistakes and basically, just have fun!”
Second was McDonald’s teammate Jess Gardiner. The reigning Champion had fantastic test times all day but lost valuable seconds as the day wore on. Gardiner clocked with a total time of 57:29.372.
Claiming bronze was Emelie Karlsson. With a total time of 59:37.115, Karlsson went head to head all day with Ebony Nielsen. After a tough 11 tests, Karlsson managed to inch ahead with just over a second lead!
EJ
After a tough weekend back in Edenhope, Jett Yarnold returned to the top step in EJ. With a total time of 51:41.227, the Yamaha racer blitzed his competition, clocking off with over a minute lead!
“Round 7 was good, with good test times all day,” explained Yarnold. “The track was rough with heaps of bulldust and rocks. Add that to the great competition between me and the EJ boys, and it made for a good day.”
Riding into second place was Eli Tripcony, who jumped up the podium after his third-place finish back in Edenhope. Tripcony finished today with a total time of 53:10.988. Behind Tripcony in third place was Jackson Versteegen. With a total time of 54:26.245, Versteegen managed to fend off Oliver Paterno by just over 15-seconds.
Racing continues tomorrow at QMP for Round 8.
2024 AORC Round 7 E1 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) 49:40.531
2 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) 50:03.163
3 Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 51:08.643
2024 AORC Round 7 E2 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Daniel Milner (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team) 48:40.536
2 Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) 49:09.775
3 Andrew Wilksch (Beta Offroad Team) 50:05.316
2024 AORC Round 7 E3 Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) 51:02.063
2 Billy Hargy (Simford Group Motorsport) 51:06.756
3 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 51:30.091
2024 AORC Round 7 EW Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 56:05.153
2 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 57:29.372
3 Emelie Karlsson (KTM) 59:37.115
2024 AORC Round 7 EJ Top 3 Provisional Results:
1 Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Motor Australia, Yamalube) 51:41.227
2 Eli Tripcony (Motorex, Husqvarna) 53:10.988
3 Jackson Versteegen (Peter Stevens, Fox) 54:26.245
To access provisional results for all remaining classes, please click here.
