Yamaha Racing capped off a stellar 2025 Australian Enduro Championship (AEC) season by taking home three national titles at the final round held north of Gympie. Jess Gardiner, Marcus Nowland, and Lorna Lock each claimed championship victories, confirming Yamaha’s dominance. Press: YMAThe weekend marked the conclusion of a hard-fought year of enduro competition, with riders battling not just each other but the brutal conditions. Despite the challenges, Yamaha’s blue army stood tall once again, showcasing experience, consistency, and the strength of its development programs.

Jess Gardiner – EW Champion-

For Jess Gardiner, success has become routine, yet the motivation and grit that define her career remain unchanged. The multiple-time Australian champion again proved why she’s one of the nation’s greatest off-road racers, locking in the 2025 Women’s Championship with a round to spare before backing it up with victory in the final outing.After an early-season challenge from Madi Simpson, Gardiner used her vast experience to manage the title fight smartly, minimising mistakes in the closing rounds to secure another crown in style.

“Every year throws up another challenge and winning Australian championships are never as easy as they seem,” Gardiner said. “This year was no different, but I’m fortunate to have a great team around me who keep me focused and on track.

“The weekend was tough — the conditions were so dry, it was like powder out there — but we got through and finished the year strongly. This one means a lot, and I’m so thankful to everyone who supports me.”Marcus Nowland – J4 Champion-

Rising star Marcus Nowland continued his impressive trajectory, adding the J4 Championship to his resume just a year after taking the J3 title in 2024. Moving up a class didn’t slow the young Yamaha rider, who handled pressure and competition with the maturity of a seasoned professional.

Nowland entered the Gympie finale with a slim 10-point lead but dominated both days, winning the majority of the tests and sealing the championship in style. His 2025 campaign also included victory in the Hattah Desert Race junior class and a top-10 finish at the Australian Junior Motocross Championship, rounding an exceptional final year.“It was my last year of juniors, so my goal was to win as much as I could before stepping up to seniors,” Nowland explained. “I had a few hiccups along the way, but I achieved most of my goals and had a great time racing with my family.”

“My parents have supported me for years, and winning championships like this is the best way to repay them. I can’t wait to move up to Under 19s next year.”

Lorna Lock – JG Champion-

The final Yamaha title of the weekend went to Lorna Lock, who impressed in her first full AEC season with the JGR Yamaha team. Brought in as a replacement for Danielle McDonald, now racing full-time in the USA, Lock made the most of her opportunity — quickly establishing herself as a contender in the JG class aboard her YZ85.Working under the mentorship of Jess Gardiner, Lock displayed increasing speed and race craft throughout the season, pairing outright pace with consistency to claim her first national title.

“It was exciting for me just to get the chance to race with Jess and her team, and now to win a championship for them feels really good,” Lock said.

Her performance marks another success story for Yamaha’s junior development system, demonstrating the pathway from youth racing to professional ranks remains strong.Yamaha Racing congratulated all three champions and praised the efforts of every rider and support crew involved in the 2025 AEC campaign. With established legends and rising stars all flying the blue flag, the brand once again proved its commitment to Australian off-road racing excellence.

Share this article