2025 Australian Enduro Championship – Rounds 1 & 2 Report
Kempsey, NSW – March 1-2, 2025
The 2025 Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore roared into action over the weekend, with Kempsey playing host to the opening rounds. Riders faced punishing conditions across a 12km course that delivered everything from grassy loam paddocks to swampy bogs and unforgiving Aussie bull dust. With temperatures peaking at 34 degrees, endurance was as crucial as outright speed.
Pro Enduro – Ruprecht vs. Milner Set the Standard
The highly anticipated showdown between Wil Ruprecht (ShopYamaha Off Road Racing Team) and Daniel Milner (DM31 KTM Racing Team) lived up to expectations, with both riders trading blows in a thrilling battle for outright Pro Enduro honours. Ruprecht struck first on Saturday, delivering a masterclass in consistency to edge out Milner by just 8.4 seconds after five tests. However, Milner responded in Round 2, overturning the deficit and securing victory by 3.1 seconds after a final test push.
Behind them, Will Dennett (ShopYamaha Off Road Racing Team) and Andy Wilksch (Beta Australia Offroad Team) were locked in their own duel, with Wilksch grabbing third overall on Sunday after a late charge.
Round 1 Results
E1
Jonte Reynders (DM31 KTM Racing Team) showed impressive resilience despite a foot injury, taking the win with a commanding performance. Cooper Sheidow (bLU cRU Support Off-Road) was strong early but settled for second, while Jett Yarnold (bLU cRU Support Off-Road) marked his senior debut with an impressive third.
E2
Ruprecht, Wilksch, and Milner were within five seconds of each other after the first test, but a costly mistake from Wilksch dropped him into a fight for third with Dennett. Ruprecht controlled the lead, despite a strong late charge from Milner, and secured the win by 8.4 seconds. Dennett edged out Wilksch for the final podium spot.
E3
Korey McMahon (DM31 KTM Racing Team) set the tone early, winning the first two tests and maintaining his momentum to take victory by 17 seconds. Jye Dickson (Beta Australia Offroad Team) mounted a mid-race challenge but had to settle for second, while Riley McGillivray (Husqvarna Australia) completed the podium.
EW
Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Offroad Team) dominated, winning all but one test to secure victory ahead of Madi Simpson (Yamaha), who briefly challenged in test four. Ebony Nielsen (Beta Australia Offroad Team) finished third, fending off Emelie Karlson.
EJ
Kogan Lock (GASGAS Australia) set the pace, building a commanding 26-second lead by the end of the day. The fight for second was much closer, with Oliver Paterno (Port Macquarie Motorcycles Yamaha) eventually pulling away from Will McInnes in the final two tests.
Round 2 Results
E1
Despite an early crash, Reynders bounced back to claim his second consecutive win. Sheidow continued his strong form to secure another second-place finish, while Fraser Higlett (Yamaha) delivered a late surge to claim third. Yarnold finished fourth after an impressive challenge early in the day.
E2
The battle between Ruprecht and Milner intensified, with Milner overturning a narrow early deficit to claim victory by 3.1 seconds. Dennett and Wilksch resumed their Round 1 duel, with Wilksch making a final-test push to steal third place from Dennett. Jeremy Carpenter rounded out the top five.
E3
McMahon was unstoppable, posting two outright top-five times on his way to another dominant win. Dickson continued to find speed throughout the day but couldn’t mount a serious challenge, finishing second. The battle for third was fierce, with Josh Whitehead (Newcastle Powersports) holding the position until a final-test mechanical issue allowed McGillivray to move into the podium spot.
EW
Madi Simpson turned the tables on Gardiner, finding the Kempsey course to her liking and taking her first win of 2025. Gardiner rode a solid second place, while Nielsen repeated her Round 1 performance to secure another third-place finish.
EJ
Oliver Paterno reversed the Round 1 result, winning four of five tests to claim his first victory of the season. Lock took second, leaving the pair tied in the championship standings. McInnes once again completed the podium with a consistent ride.
Championship Outlook
After two rounds, the 2025 Australian Enduro Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling season. Ruprecht and Milner are setting the pace in Pro Enduro, while class battles across the board are proving just as intense. With 200-plus competitors across 11 championship and four Cup classes, the depth of competition has never been stronger. The series now heads to its next stop in Traralgon April 5-6, with rivalries heating up and championship ambitions firmly in focus.
For more information on the Australian Enduro Championship visit www.ausenduro.com.au
Photos by: Troy Pears.
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