Waters Rises To The Top
Waters rises and Mendooran, New South Wales was no exception! Round 5 of the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC), was filled to the brim with exceptional racing and crystal-clear demonstration of classic Enduro perseverance.
Tackling Mendooran’s sandy conditions and a long, solid day of racing, it was Husqvarna’s Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) who claimed the win in E2 and the fastest time for the day! Alongside Waters for the win was: Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Andy Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) in E3, Kodi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) in EJ, Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW, Kane Hall in 2T, Damian Smith in EM and Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) in EV.
For the Juniors, Seth Burchell (Yamaha Junior Racing Team) won J4, alongside Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) in J3, Kai Austin in J2, Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) in J1, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in JG and Jack Travis Kearney (Climate King, Beard Bros Motorcycles) in JJ.
E1
It was a dramatic start to the weekend for the fan favourite, Bacon. What started off as a sizzling lead, quickly flipped on its head as Bacon navigated a fuel issue. Dropping down to near fifth place, the Yamaha boarded rider proved once again why he’s the talk of the town. Pushing his bike to the absolute limit, he remained utterly cool [and calm] as he regained critical time to win first place! After 14 laps across the MXstore and Offroad Advantage test tracks [seven each], Bacon finished today with a total time of 1:44:50.853.
An even bigger win came in the form of Sam Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport, Gol Gol Hotel), who scored himself a well-deserved second place win. Unable to wipe the smile off his face, Pretscherer completed 14 laps with a spent body and a total time of 1:45:50.241.
Gas Gas’s Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) also had a massive day here in Mendooran. With a total time of 1:45:57.402, McMahon won third place in E1, just mere seconds behind Pretscherer. Although potentially bittersweet, it was still a valuable win in a campaign for more championship points.
2022 AORC Round 5 E1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:44:50.853
- Samuel Pretscherer (Simford Motorsport, Gol Gol Hotel) 1:45:50.241
- Korey McMahon (GasGas Australia, Suttos Powersports) 1:45:57.402
- Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM Australia) 1:46:56.362
- Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:47:09.105
E2
Still Waters run deep and boy, did that come true today. The Husqvarna boarded Motocross natural was completely at home on the sandy tracks and it showed. With a total time of 1:41:23.458, Waters won Round 5 in E2 as well as the fastest overall time for the day.
Ahead of Josh Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) by nearly two minutes, today was an exciting chapter in the battle of exceptional talent in the E2 class. Green finished today with a total time of 1:43:12.918 and we’re sure he’ll return tomorrow with a fire in his belly to reclaim the top spot.
The final podium spot was won by Jye Dickson (KTM Newcastle), who tangoed all-day with Sherco’s Callum Norton for bronze. With a total time of 1:45:16.295, Dickson clinched that coveted position.
2022 AORC Round 5 E2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:41:23.458
- Josh Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:43:12.918
- Jye Dickson (KTM Newcastle) 1:45:16.295
- Callum Norton (Sherco Australia) 1:45:42.705
- Scott Keegan 1:46:34.335
E3
After Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) pulled the rug out from Wilksch’s feet back in Mackay, Wilksch clearly came into Mendooran with a little point to prove. And he did. With a total time of 1:43:03.544, Wilksch took home the gold and another set of points to improve his Championship lead.
Reynder’s had an excellent day of racing, claiming second place with a total time of 1:43:33.771. The Sherco boarded racer was hot on the heels of Wilksch but just couldn’t back it up after Mackay.
The third podium spot was won by Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team), whose KTM seemed quite at home on the sandy tracks. He completed 14 laps with a total time of 1:46:00.868.
2022 AORC Round 5 E3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Andy Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:43:03.544
- Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco Team) 1:43:33.771
- Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:46:00.868
- Hayden Keeley (Hunter Valley Motorsports, Incite Graphics) 1:52:56.202
- Patrick McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, Tunetech Suspension) 1:53:42.267
EJ
Stephens had a battle laid out for him today, with a heap of talent to beat in EJ. After 14 laps across the MXstore and Offroad Advantage test tracks, Stephens finished with a total time of 1:47:58.873 and won first place. Stephens also set up a solid lead ahead of the EJ pack, allowing him room to breathe.
KTM’s Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) finished just seconds ahead of Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team), ensuring he stole away second place. McGillivray and Hargy closed off Round 5 with respective total times of 1:49:07.978 and 1:49:19.880.
2022 AORC Round 5 EJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kodi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:47:58.873
- Riley McGillivray (Shepparton Motorcycles, KTM) 1:49:07.978
- Billy Hargy (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:49:19.880
- Luke Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 1:52:07.686
- Campbell Hall (Halls Transport Repairs) 1:52:10.415
EW
The EW field definitely brought the fire today! Gardiner had her work cut out for her, thanks to the addition of Meghan ‘Mad Meg’ Rutledge (Kawasaki Australia). Over two gruelling hours worth of racing across the Offroad Advantage and MXstore tracks, Gardiner and Mad Meg pushed everything they had to gain precious seconds.
Gardiner ploughed ahead though, clinching top spot with a total time of 2:01:48.511. Mad Meg was awarded a well-deserved second place, with a total time of 2:01:54.518.
KTM’s Emelie Karlsson started off Round 5 with times she didn’t love. As the day progressed though, Karlsson seemed to find that fire again, smashing her times to ensure she won third place. Karlsson finished today’s racing with a total time of 2:03:58.389.
2022 AORC Round 5 EW Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 2:01:48.511
- Meghan Rutledge (Kawasaki Australia) 2:01:54.518
- Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 2:03:58.389
- Taylor Thompson 2:04:13.089
- Courtney Rubie 2:15:37.361
2T
Hall is definitely setting up for a strong remaining season in the 2T! With a total time of 1:53:26.840, Hall finished ahead of his fiery competition, Brad Hardaker (Banana Coast Pest Control). Claiming second place, Hardaker had a strong day here in Mendooran, with a total time of 1:56:51.149.
2022 AORC Round 5 2T Top 3 Provisional Results:
- Kane Hall 1:53:26.840
- Brad Hardaker (Banana Coast Pest Control) 1:56:51.149
- Nicholas Stockwell 2:00:50.718 +2 laps
EM
Today was a very good day for Smith, who clocked up an impressive total time of 1:30:32.073, over 7 gruelling laps. The WR450F track was tough on body and mind, with primarily sandy conditions to tackle. Following behind Smith into second place, was a rider who’s been prominent on the podium all season: Peter Rudd. With a total time of 1:40:22.743, Rudd finished ahead of Jason Pearce. Pearce claimed the final podium spot, just shy of eight seconds behind Rudd with a total time of 1:40:30.566.
2022 AORC Round 5 EM Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Damian Smith 1:30:32.073
- Peter Rudd (Kessner Motorcycles, Husqvarna) 1:40:22.743
- Jason Pearce 1:40:30.566
- John Baker 1:50:05.095
- Craig Visocchi 1:52:51.933
EV
The WR450F track clearly gave every rider a run for their money, as they pushed through seven laps, over 70 kilometres in total, all while avoiding a season ending crash. First place was clinched by household name, Stephens, with a total time of 1:30:17.762. Stephens remained comfortably ahead of the pack all day, regardless of the struggles the track presented.
The final two podium spots were won by Christopher Thomas and Jason Hackett, with respective times of 1:32:09.300 and 1:32:18.068.
2022 AORC Round 5 EV Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Lee Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 1:30:17.762
- Christopher Thomas 1:32:09.300
- Jason Hackett 1:32:18.068
- Darren Lloyd 1:36:45.324
- Paul Chadwick 1:43:09.881
J4
Leading the front for the Juniors, Burchell was utterly unfazed across the 6km Mudgee MX track. With impressive test times right up until stop, he happily claimed first place with a total time of 45:03.812. Second place was won by Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte), with a total time of 46:21.194. The last podium spot was won by Max Locock, with a time of 48:03.124.
2022 AORC Round 5 J4 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Seth Burchell (Yamaha Junior Racing Team) 45:03.812
- Davey Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Motorcycles Naracoorte) 46:21.194
- Max Locock 48:03.124
- Tate Young (Norwood Ag Solutions, Vie Financial) 50:02.530
- Eli Tripcony 50:04.180
J3
Stephens, Stephens, Stephens. It was Stephens galore today on the podium, with a win to boot here in J3. With a total time of 46:26.579, Stephens won the day ahead of Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle). Gear conceded for second, with a time of 47:13.914. After seven laps, Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) scored third place in J3, with a total time of 47:26.195.
2022 AORC Round 5 J3 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Levi Stephens (True Painting, KTM Newcastle) 46:26.579
- Ollie Gear (Sinclair Electrical Naracoorte, Limestone Coast Newcastle) 47:13.914
- Lachlan Metcalf (Simford Motorsports Group, SS Citrus) 47:26.195
- Dylan McDonald (Yamaha Frank Spice Parkes) 49:51.635
- Riley Crimmins 50:21.373
J2
Austin had a very strong day today in J2! Finishing Round 5 in first place, Austin closed off seven laps with a total time of 52:34.708. The final two podium spots were awarded to Marcus Nowland and Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension), who finished today’s racing with a total time of 52:42.306 and 52:58.542, respectively.
2022 AORC Round 5 J2 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Kai Austin 52:34.708
- Marcus Nowland 52:42.306
- Jesse Ryan (Guts Racing Aus, Tunetech Suspension) 52:58.542
- Oscar Harris 53:33.489
- Lachlan Roche (Simford Groups Motorsport) 53:40.742
J1
Similar to J2, the heat was high in J1 as our riders battled it out for gold. Weston won the day ahead of Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia), with a total time of 58:08.100. Hutton settled for silver with a total time of 58:21.802.
The final podium spot was won by Riley Delaney (Tdub, PowerPlus race fuels), who finished seven tough laps with a total time of 59:20.498.
2022 AORC Round 5 J1 Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Chase Weston (Tdub, ProCoat Aus) 58:08.100
- Harley Hutton (Yamaha Motor Australia) 58:21.802
- Riley Delany (Tdub, PowerPlus race fuels) 59:20.498
- Clancy O’Connor 59:21.046
- Malakai Middleton (Mallee Lubricants, Swanhill Offroad) 1:00:56.434
JG
Heat? What heat? McDonald was ice cool as she blasted ahead of the JG competition. With a total time of 50:31.931, she claimed an undisputed first place win. Madi Simpson (Toowoomba MPE) rode into second place with a total time of 55:06.229.
Mia Tongue consistently held onto third place throughout today’s racing behind McDonald and Simpson, finishing today with a total time of 58:44.002.
2022 AORC Round 5 JG Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 50:31.931
- Madi Simpson (Toowoomba MPE) 55:06.229
- Mia Tongue 58:44.002
- Jade Chellas (Northbound Driver Training) 1:01:05.421
- Audrey Moller (ALLTAC) 1:02:35.007
JJ
The future of our sport looks impeccable when you watch the JJ class in action! Kearney claimed a comfortable lead today, winning the gold with a total time of 1:11:37.769. Riley Akers and Kye Kinsela (Kinsela Plant Repairs) claimed the remaining podium spots, finishing seven laps with a total time of 1:15:03.174 and 1:16:59.847.
2022 AORC Round 5 JJ Top 5 Provisional Results:
- Jack Travis Kearney (Climate King, Beard Bros Motorcycles) 1:11:37.769
- Riley Akers 1:15:03.174
- Kye Kinsela (Kinsela Plant Repairs) 1:16:59.847
- Cooper Clarke 1:17:45.349
- Jamie Madafiglio (Maluna Joinery) 1:18:38.856
We’re back to Mendooran tomorrow, bright and early for another set of Sprints for Round 6. To find out more about the weekend’s racing, please visit our website.
Words by Caitlin Hynes. Images by Troy Pears.
