The past weekend proved to be another successful one for Yamaha supported Australian racers, with Jay Wilson claiming another round win in the Japanese Motocross Championships, while Jess Gardiner landed on the podium at the Swiss round of the World Enduro Championships.
With just one round remaining in the Women’s World Enduro Championship, Jess Gardiner sits in a sensational second place after another double podium blitz in Sweden on the weekend. Gardiner pulled down a couple of third places results each day and her speed and consistency now sees her in second place in the championship and confident she can finish the year on the podium.
The round in Sweden proved challenging for Gardiner as the tests were dry and rock hard and the trails were as rough and bumpy as she had ever experienced. But she gritted her teeth, overcame a crash early in the piece before regaining her composure and finishing strongly, highlighted by winning a test on her way to third place.
“I’m exhausted but satisfied,” Gardiner said at the end of racing. “I struggled badly on day one but so did a lot of riders, so I was happy to make the podium. Then once I got going on day two, I felt like my riding was much better and was able to get through the tests well and even managed to win one which was awesome.
“I have been consistent with each round and only missed the podium once. I’m now second in the championship but the last round isn’t until much later in the year in Portugal, so I will keep working hard and it would be great to finish the last weekend with a win and see how that puts my in the championship.
“It’s been a whirlwind month for me with races in Australia, Finland and Sweden, so now I’m looking forward to getting back to Australia and getting ready for Hattah. Thank you to everyone who is in my corner as there are a lot of people behind the scenes that make this happen for me and I’m so thankful for the amazing support I get,” Gardiner said.
Meantime fellow Aussie Jay Wilson continued his winning ways in Japan, taking a dominant victory at round three of the Japanese Motocross Championships at Sugo over the weekend. Racing in the IA1 class on his Yamaha YZ450F, Wilson won all three motos contested on Sunday to claim the round win, extend his lead in the championship, and increase his winning streak in 2023 to eight motos.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Wilson who fell awkwardly in Saturday’s qualifying race, injuring a shoulder that required treatment straight after the race. He was able to get it in reasonable shape for Sunday but still felt the lingering effects as the day wore on and fatigue set in.
Wilson has now won every moto in this year’s 450cc championship, but the competition is closing in and he will need to stay on top of his game as the challengers are lining up behind him thick and fast.
“This weekend was one of the more challenging ones I have had since I have been here in Japan,” Wilson explains. “I struggled a little with the track, my starts weren’t great all day and my shoulder is sore after I gave it a good hit yesterday, so I’m just grateful to get the win.
“The track ended up being difficult to ride. There was a lot of rain forecast in the lead up to the weekend, so they didn’t put much water down, but then the rainfall never eventuated so the track got quite dry and slippery. They did their best to control the dust but when it was watered, it was even harder to ride, so you couldn’t push hard or be aggressive, as there was simply not traction.
“But it’s awesome to get another win and keep the success coming. The team has been working well and Yamaha continue to support us so much. Thank you to the team and sponsors and I look forward to the next round,” Wilson said.
