Image: Foremost Media.

A third place result at round three of the 2020 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in Dungog has promoted Josh Green to second in the E2 standings.

The Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing contender pushed through the challenging conditions to finish behind Michael Driscoll (bLU cRU Off-Road Racing) and Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team).

With Sunday’s fourth round cancelled due to poor weather conditions, the New South Welshman was able to make up a position in the highly-competitive category.

“It was a bit of an up and down weekend for me with some good test times but also a couple of ordinary ones that hurt me at the end of the day,” Green explained. “I think there were a few top three times in tests but there was also some way down in the top 10 when I fell off.

“No rider can afford to be inconsistent in a championship as competitive as this. Still, despite the mistakes, it’s still good to be on the podium and leave here healthy. I’m second in the championship but only two points separates three riders and we still have a lot of racing to go.”

The next stop of AORC, currently under review by Motorcycling Australia amid the coronavirus, is scheduled for 18-19 April at Nowra in New South Wales.

Image: Foremost Media.

Dungog’s third round of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) saw Mason Semmens take on the Enduro format for the first, which was admittedly a learning experience for the E1 rookie.

The KTM Enduro Racing Team rider seemingly adapted to the format, emerging with runner-up honours in his class to finish a fraction behind newly-appointed series leader Luke Styke (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing).

“The enduro format was new to me, so I learned a lot on the trail and with the tests in between, which was good,” said Semmens. My day wasn’t too bad, finishing second in class, even though we always want to win.

“I look forward to doing some more enduro and really picking it up further, plus Dungog was a good location to gain further experience. It would have been nice to race on the Sunday, but it is what it is and we’ll move onto the next one now.”

Sunday’s fourth round of AORC was cancelled after poor weather conditions continued to hit the New South Wales venue. The next stop of AORC is scheduled for 18-19 April in Nowra, New South Wales.

Image: Foremost Media.

Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team newcomer Andy Wilksch has described his first appearance with the squad as a ‘good weekend’ at Dungog’s third round of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), the E2 contender recently recovering from multiple injuries.

Wilksch, who missed Toowoomba’s opener after suffering back and pelvis injuries in the pre-season, charged to a respective seventh during Saturday’s third round in E2, winding up 12th in the outright times.

The number 32 is pleased with his performance considering the lack of bike time this year, and admits his fitness surprised him after the challenging day’s racing.

“My only goal when I got injured was to be back for Dungog, which I’m really happy about and it was good to be there with the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team getting that experience together,” Wilksch explained.

“To finish and get the result that we did was a bonus, really. I felt as though my body held up okay, surprisingly well actually, and my times were inside the top 10 outright in a fair few of the tests. It was definitely a good weekend considering the lack of bike time that I’ve had so far this year.”

Sunday’s fourth round of AORC was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The next stop of the series is pencilled in for 18-19 April in Nowra, New South Wales, however it’s currently under review by Motorcycling Australia amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Image: Supplied.

Kirk Gibbs has claimed a second-career MX1 title in the New Zealand Motocross Championship after finishing runner-up at the final round in Taupo over the weekend.

The JCR Altherm Yamaha rider defeated defending champion and round winner Cody Cooper (Honda Racing) by a slender four points in the title chase, the Australian securing 50 percent of race wins from 12 starts.

“It’s so awesome to win the championship again,” said Gibbs, who also claimed the title in 2018. “To come so close last year and just miss out was disappointing. Everything just went really well for me this season and things started clicking for me.

“I was riding well and the Yamaha YZ450 was great. Working hard with Josh during the weeks between the four rounds and with my Australian team helped me to feel really comfortable and strong, which was what I believe led to the championship win.”

The MX2 title was taken out by fellow JCR Altherm Yamaha rider Max Purvis, while Australian Caleb Ward (CML KTM) was fifth in the standings.