The Yamaha Racing Team has come away from the 2025 Hattah Desert Race as Danielle McDonald, Marcus Nowland, and Stella Harding each top their divisions in a demanding, action-packed weekend of racing in Victoria. Press: Yamaha Motor AustraliaThe iconic outback event, held in near-perfect conditions, once again attracted a massive entry list and a fiercely competitive field, but Yamaha’s factory-supported and junior racers rose to the occasion, conquering the brutal terrain and fast-paced layout with class and composure.Returning from the US specifically for the race, Danielle McDonald made her mark on the Women’s category aboard her Yamaha WR250F. Currently contesting the AMA GNCC Championship, McDonald was quick to commit to Hattah as soon as her calendar allowed. After a steady start in Saturday’s Prologue, she powered through the field during Sunday’s main event, taking the lead before the end of the first lap and never looking back. Her dominance extended lap after lap, eventually crossing the line over three minutes clear of rival Jess Gardiner.Of the 389 senior riders to finish the event, McDonald placed an impressive 75th outright—testament to her pace and fitness. “I have always loved doing Hattah,” McDonald said. “Even though I’m racing overseas, if there’s no date clash, I’ll always come back. The event is tough, but it’s also so much fun. The Yamaha WR250F was perfect all day, and I can’t thank Peter Burrell and Yamaha Australia enough, along with my family, for all their support.”Meanwhile, in Saturday’s Junior Big Wheel race, Marcus Nowland finally sealed his first Hattah victory after several close calls in previous years. Racing for GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing, Nowland set the fastest Prologue time and carried that form into the six-lap, 90-minute main race. He built a 30-second lead by lap four, but slower traffic and pit congestion saw the margin shrink dramatically on lap five. With the top three riders locked together going into the final lap, Nowland dug deep and delivered a blistering final charge to take the win by 21 seconds.“I really wanted this one,” Nowland said. “It got tight in the last couple of laps, but I had some energy left and went for it. The WR250F was awesome—it’s my first time racing it and it really suited the Hattah course.”

Nowland, who usually rides the YZ250F in enduro events, praised the WR250F’s six-speed gearbox and its comfort on the long, fast straights.The Yamaha Junior Racing Team’s success didn’t end there. Rising star Stella Harding put in a phenomenal performance in the Girls Under 12 category, winning the class on her YZ85 and finishing sixth overall in the junior standings—an outstanding result against stiff competition.

Harding completed the six-lap course in just over 63 minutes, finishing only a minute behind the winner of the small wheels category.“Hattah is an awesome race and I love doing it because it’s so different to motocross,” Harding said. “It’s so much fun going fast on the straights and racing with so many people.”

From GNCC contenders to junior motocross aces, Yamaha’s diverse rider line-up proved once again why the bLU cRU remains a force to be reckoned with in Australian off-road racing.

2025 HATTAH DESERT RACE – SELECTED RESULTS

Women
1st Danielle McDonald (WR250F)
2nd Jess Gardiner (WR450F)
3rd Maddison Healy

Junior Big Wheel
1st Marcus Nowland (WR250F)
2nd Jett Avard
3rd Harry Gilbertson

Girls Under 12 Years
1st Stella Harding (YZ85)
2nd Nova Pilkington
3rd Kaydence Corney

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