French Bellino qualifies first in Prologue at Yamaha A4DE
It was the perfect start to the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro (A4DE) this morning, with the sun shining over the Merrijig location, and anticipation in the air for Prologue today that would determine their starting positions for the remainder of the week.
Sherco mounted Matthew Phillips kicked off the A4DE in fine form wheeling over the start line followed by KTM Enduro Racing Team’s Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders also wheeling. It was CDR Yamaha’s Daniel Milner and defending A4DE champion who left following his rivals ahead.
Before the beginning of Prologue today competitors had a chance to pre-ride two of the trails and tests that will be used over the coming four days, before their timed lapped around a Motocross styled track.
Milner was first in and first out in today’s timed test however in an unanticipated turn of events it was the French Husqvarna mounted Mathias Bellino who finished one second ahead of closest rival CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis in the times.
Bellino finished the dusty and dry track in 2 minutes and 12.836 seconds, while Hollis finished the test in 2:13.880. Phillips pushed his Sherco machine in fighting fashion to secure a third placed start against the remaining E1, E2, E3, Women’s, Vet’s and Masters competitors.
Veterans competitor Dylan Rees finished with the 16th fastest time today after his lap time of 2:18.958, while Active8 Yamaha Yamalube’s Tayla Jones, back and ready to impress, finished 34th and was the first women in the times with a 2:23.095. Masters competitor David Flemming was the top rider setting a fastest time of 2:26.464.
Due to the nature of the event the top three riders Bellino, Hollis and Phillips will all start on the same minute tomorrow Wednesday the 16th of November for day one of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro in Merrijig, Victoria.
For more information and to stay up to date with the latest news from the 2016 Yamaha A4DE head to the Motorcycling Australia website. Like the AORC Facebook page and follow @aorc_ on Instagram.
Honourable mentions:
- Past World Champion and Multiple Australian Champion Shane Watts (E1) finished 11th in Prologue today
- International French rider Mathias Bellino finished on top of the time sheets
- Enduro 2 rider Ben Kearns finished in the top 10 (7th position)
The top ten outright finishes from today’s Prologue:
1. Mathias Bellino (E2) 2:12.836
2. Chris Hollis (E2) 2:13.880
3. Matt Phillips (E2) 2:14.015
4. Lachlan Stanford (E3) 2:15.097
5. Daniel Milner (E2) 2:16.631
6. Riley Graham (E1) 2:17.483
7. Ben Kearns (E2) 2:17.597
8. Jack Simpson (E1) 2:17811
9. Lyndon Snodgrass (E3) 2:17.866
10. Tom McCormack (E2) 2:17.905
*All results are provisional
Image courtesy of T. Spragg. Pictured Mathias Bellino on his Husqvarna machine topping the times sheets in Prologue at A4DE – Click on the image for High Resolution.
