Milner, Sanders and Driscoll complete perfect season at Omeo

Daniel Milner (E3), Daniel Sanders (E2), Luke Styke (E1) and Michael Driscoll (EJ) wowed the crowds at Round 10 of the 2018 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) in Omeo, Victoria, as they were each crowned Champions after winning the day’s cross country events.

Set atop the picturesque alpine township of Omeo in Victoria, scores of spectators were treated to a spectacular cross-country battle between Australia’s best Enduro competitors who provided ample excitement and palpable competition.

The sun continued to beam down for Round 11 of the AORC. Track conditions were tough for the final round of the championship, and it would be Daniel Milner (E3), Daniel Sanders (E2), Luke Styke (E1) and Michael Driscoll (EJ) who took out class victories.

Daniel Milner – Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

E3 – Round 10

The man who has been uneatable all season aboard his KTM was once again Milner, as he took the win in style. After a tough start that saw Milner just keep the bike on two wheels, he quickly regained himself and set off to catch the lead group.

It didn’t take long with Milner making a move on Lachlan Stanford on the last turn of the first lap to take the lead. As usual he didn’t look back from there and coasted to victory with his time of 2:55:17.670, handing him the E3 title and now he has completed the triple crown (A title in E1, E2 and E3 classes).

Milner was stoked with the result; “This feels pretty good, well let’s say it’s definitely good! I’ve never had to opportunity to ride the E3 bike and to have that chance and to win the title, I’m stoked. The bike has been unreal all year and the best part is that I’ve had so much fun this year and to achieve this just makes it all the better as well.Taking this win in another cross country after the Hattah mishap makes todays win even better and cross-country riding is something I’ve focused on since return from the GNCC, really winning cross countries is my biggest goal,” finished Milner.

As consistent as ever was Lachlan Stanford, after grabbing the early lead with a tremendous start, the Husqvarna rider would settle for second place in E3. Its been the tale of Stanford season to date as he has been consistently second fastest in the class, his time of 3:01:52.514 put him in second.

Rounding out the E3 podium on his Gas Gas was Broc Grabham with his time of 3:10:18.242, another solid days riding in tough condition for Grabham.

AORC E3 Round 10 Provisional Top 5 Results

Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Off-Road Racing Team) 2:55:17.670
Lachlan Stanford (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Racing Team) 3:01:52.514
Broc Grabham 3:10:18.242
Tom Mason 3:12:10.072
Andrew Wilksch (Motul Pirelli Sherco Off-Road Team) 3:16:52.545

E3 – Round 11

Milner was simply on another level in the E3 class on his KTM, he stopped the clock at 43:39.063 after completing five laps. Milner set the pace with his first test time and then simply didn’t look back on his way to the chequered flag. The win was number eleven for Milner meaning he had completed the perfect E3 season.

Daniel Milner – Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

Finishing behind Milner aboard his Husqvarna was Lachlan Stanford, who completed the five laps with a time of 45:21.996. Stanford continued his consistent season and even tried a few new things today, as one of the only riders clearing the double, he still couldn’t find the speed of Milner.

Rounding out the podium in the E3 class was Andrew Wilksch on his Sherco, who made a welcome return to the podium after missing out yesterday. His time of 46:39.716 was a solid finish to the season.

AORC Round 11 E3 Provisional Results

Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Off-Road Team) 43:39.063
Lachlan Stanford (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Team) 45:21.996
Andrew Wilksch (Motul Pirelli Sherco Off-Road Team) 46:39.716
Broc Grabham 46:49.938
Jesse Lawton 1:04:43.551

E2 – Round 10

What a year it has been after returning from Enduro GP for Daniel Sanders, he has comeback and looked like her never left taking win number ten for the season on his way to the 2018 E2 title.

Sanders would once again do things the hard way after a big fall on the opening lap saw him lose his helmet visor, but they didn’t stop the Husqvarna rider. Sanders regained his composure and put his head down and charged. His efforts pushed himself over the line in a time of 2:55:43.427.

Daniel Sanders – Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

The E2 Champion shared; “Its so good to wrap it up in my home state of Victoria, and aswell finishing with cross country its like you have won a race and you get to celebrate it with the team. I had a massive crash on the first lap and went flying over the bars and lucky my fox helmet saved me once again. To come back and enjoy racing and give 100% makes this so much more enjoyable and a big thank you to the Husqvarna team for everything they do,” said Sanders.

Mr consistent Josh Green was back to his best on his Yamaha, grabbing second place after he stopped the clock at 2:58:30.695. Green was one of the smoother riders out there on a track that deteriorated quite quickly, and it payed off for him as he finished the three hour strongly.

The last spot on the podium went to Green’s Yamaha teammate Wil Ruprecht, who had a slow start to the season with injury but is finishing the season well. Ruprecht crossed the line with his time of 3:01:00.066 to snare the last spot on the podium.

AORC E2 Round 10 Provisional Top 5 Results

Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Racing Team) 2:55:43.427
Joshua Green (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 2:58:30.695
Wil Ruprecht (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 3:01:00.066
Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Off-Road Racing Team) 3:01:39.589
Stefan Granquist 3:04:37.857

E2 – Round 11

Completing the perfect season in the E2 class was Sanders aboard his Husqvarna, as he once again led the way. Sanders got off to a great start in the first test and continued to push throughout the day despite the track deteriorating. The win shows the decision to come home from Enduro GP was the correct one, as he brings home the title to Husqvarna with a time of 43:58.038.

Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

The battle for second place in the E2 class was an enthralling battle between KTM’s Lyndon Snodgrass and Yamaha’s Josh Green. It would come down to the fifth and final test as the pair could hardly be separated throughout the day, but it would be Snodgrass who got the nod with his time of 44:50.785.

The ever reliable Green would have to settle for third place with his effort of 44:57.112. Green was one of the only riders throughout the day who looked in control through the rough conditions, and ended his season on the podium.

AORC Round 11 E2 Provisional Results

Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Team) 43:58.038
Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Off-Road Team) 44:50.785
Joshua Green (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 44:57.112
Wil Ruprecht (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 46:07.731
Stefan Granquist 46:26.541

E1 – Round 10

There were many questions raised when Luke Styke made the cross from motocross to off-road racing, but it now appears to be a genius move from Yamaha. Styke in just his first season has claimed the E1 title after winning the cross-country with a time of 3:02:48.128.

Luke Styke – Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

Styke was over the moon to take his first off-road championship, saying “It a great result, wrapping up the title with a round to spare it’s something I didn’t expect. The whole experience from motocross to off-road racing has been great, everyone involved with this team has made my job so much easier. I’m definitely over the moon and I can’t wait to battle for more title in the years to come.”

A great ride came from Jack Simpson who put his KTM into second place after ending the days riding with his time of 3:03:15.605. Simpson had moments where it looked he could be the man to potentially take the win of Styke, but it just wasn’t meant to be today for Simpson.

The final spot on the podium went to Fraser Higlett aboard his Husqvarna, Higlett has once again shown he is a serious competitor in the E1 class. His time of 3:03:45.780 handed him third position.

AORC E1 Round 10 Provisional Top 5 Results

Luke Styke (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 3:02:48.128
Jack Simpson 3:03:15.605
Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Racing Team) 3:03:45.780
Brad Hardaker 3:14:02.759
Baylee Davies 3:15:30.391

E1 – Round 11

What a year it has been for Styke after making the cross from motocross to off-roads, Styke has looked completely at home picking up the E1 title yesterday. He was at it again today, not letting off and taking another win to make it nine wins this season. He ended his five laps with a time of 45:13.762.

Finishing behind Styke was Fraser Higlett aboard his Husqvarna, who has shown great improvement during his first season in the E1 class. Higlett ended his season with a time of 45:35.297 to end a great first season in E1.

Rounding out the podium was Jack Simpson on his KTM who ended today’s sprints with a time of 45:50.445. It was a good end to a bit of an indifferent season for Simpson, look for him to take this form into season 2019.

AORC Round 11 E1 Provisional Results

Luke Styke (Active8 Yamaha Yamalube) 45:13.762
Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Off-Road Team) 45:35.297
Jack Simpson 45:50.445
Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha MX Store Ballards Off-Road Team) 45:52.203
Brad Hardaker 48:03.253

EJ – Round 10

The EJ class has been all about Michael Driscoll this season as the Yamaha rider collected his tenth with from as many starts, taking out the EJ championship for season 2018. Driscoll made it back to back EJ titles with today’s win, his time of 3:08:22.069 was enough to secure win number ten.

Michael Driscoll – Omeo Victoria – AORC 2018 Rounds 10 & 11

Driscoll was lost for words with another EJ championship; “I actually can’t describe this right now, I think tomorrow it will sink in a little bit more, but the feeling is unbelievable right now. Today didn’t quite go to plan off the bat, I got a poor start and had to eat a lot of dust, but I worked my way to the front and then with two laps to go I knew the win was insight,” finished Driscoll.

In another one of his cameo appearances in AORC, Mason Semmens took out second place in the EJ class aboard his KTM. Semmens who has made a few AORC appearances this season ended his day with a time of 3:08:58.355.

The final spot on the podium went to Husqvarna’s Joshua Brierley, his time of 3:10:05.585 was enough for third. Its another great performance from Brierley in his first season up in the EJ class after taking out last season’s J4 title.

AORC E1 Round 10 Provisional Top 5 Results

Michael Driscoll (bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Team) 3:08:22.069
Mason Semmens 3:08:58.355
Joshua Brierley 3:10:05.585
Mitchell Brierley 3:10:38.771
Corey Hammond 3:14:43.348

EJ – Round 11

The 2018 EJ champion was at it once again, Driscoll took out his eleventh win of the season to complete the perfect EJ season. Driscoll set the tone on his Yamaha from the first test of the day, getting out of the blocks with a sensational first test, he ended the day with a time of 45:28.371. .

Grabbing second place in today’s sprints was Husqvarna’s Joshua Brierley who bounced back from his third place in yesterday cross country. His time of 47:07.077 handed him a well earned second place, and a fine finish to his first senior season.

Capping of his cameo appearance here at the AORC, motocross prodigy Mason Semmens grabbed third place to make it two podiums for the weekend. His time of 47:22.062.