Decorated off-road legend Daniel Milner has officially called time on an extraordinary 15-season professional career, confirming his retirement as KTM DM31 Racing Team revealed its three-rider roster for the 2026 Australian Enduro Championship.
Milner admitted the decision had been weighing on him for some time, explaining that “the decision to retire from racing has been playing on my mind for a while, because I’ve been racing professionally for 15 seasons now, and it got to that point where I don’t quite get the enjoyment out of racing as much as I used to.”
He said the shift in motivation became increasingly clear in recent seasons, adding that “honestly, I get more satisfaction out of running the team and helping out the younger riders.”
The announcement marks the end of one of the most successful off-road careers in Australian history. Milner first partnered with KTM between 2017 and 2021, winning the national off-road title outright three times, stacking up multiple E2 and E3 championships, and claiming the 2018 Australian Four-Day Enduro, three Hattah Desert Race victories, and the outright win at the 2018 International Six Days Enduro.
After time overseas, he returned home in 2024 to establish the KTM DM31 Racing Team and immediately picked up where he left off, securing historic back-to-back outright – now ProEnduro – and E2 crowns. He retires with a record six outright Australian enduro championships, five A4DE wins, and more than 20 national titles.
Milner said he walked away feeling deeply content, noting that “I have achieved everything that I worked so hard for in my career – winning my sixth ProEnduro outright title this year, which takes me to the record, so it has taken me to a point where I don’t have anything to drive me forward other than what I have happening with the team.”
He added, “I’m thankful for my career, I enjoyed a lot of success and got to live the dream on the off-road side. I have accomplished more than I ever thought was possible, and again just really thankful.”
With his racing chapter complete, Milner now transitions into the role of KTM DM31 Racing Team Manager on a full-time basis, guiding what he believes is one of the most exciting young rosters in recent years. The 2026 line-up sees Korey McMahon, Jye Dickson, and Jackson Versteegen spearheading KTM Australia’s official off-road program.
Leading the charge is 2025 standout McMahon, who will defend his E3 Class title and look to challenge for the AUS Enduro Outright crown after finishing third in ProEnduro. He will also attempt to repeat his Hattah Desert Race victory aboard the KTM 500 EXC-F.
Milner said retaining McMahon is a huge asset, explaining that “continuing with Korey is super-exciting, because he does everything he can to make sure that he’s prepared to go win, and he’s got that hunger that I remember having when I was a young rider. A lot of what I see in Korey is what I used to feel when I was coming up through the ranks. I believe he’s going to be the guy to beat here in the near future, and I look forward to pushing him to his limits to be able to achieve that.”
In the E2 ranks, Dickson moves to the KTM 450 XC-F after finishing second in E3 this year and recording fifth overall in ProEnduro. The former motocrosser continues to sharpen his off-road craft, and Milner believes there is plenty of untapped potential.
“Jye was awesome to watch this year, and I think that we can bring more out of him, especially on the hard-pack soil because he’s an unbelievable sand rider. I love his riding style, he’s got that heightened intensity, being an ex-motocrosser,” he said.
Young gun Versteegen steps into the E1 category aboard the KTM 250 XC-F, marking his first season in the professional ranks. Milner said he is eager to help build the foundations for the teenager’s long-term success.
“Now we’ve added Jackson as a young up-and-comer, which I’m really looking forward to. He’s a good young kid who’s eager to learn… Jackson’s definitely one of those guys that will develop over the years and, down the track, I think he’ll be a name that everyone will recognise,” Milner said.
Overall, Milner says the team environment is exactly what he wants to dedicate himself to in this next phase of his career.
“With all three of them, it’s going to be a really good environment at the races. It’ll be fun working with them, from pre-season and throughout the year, helping develop them as riders. Hopefully, by the end of the season, we can achieve success together,” he explained.
KTM Group Australia Motorsport Manager Kyle Blunden says Milner’s legacy will continue long after his retirement, calling him “one of the most decorated in Australian off-road history,” noting his countless national championships, multiple A4DE and Hattah victories, and ISDE outright win.
Blunden added that Milner’s transition into full-time team management is another major step for KTM’s off-road program: “His knowledge, his work ethic, and his proven ability both on and off the bike make this next chapter incredibly exciting, not only for KTM, but for the sport.”
