Milner pips Hollis for A4DE outright lead on day one

Daniel Milner pips Chris Hollis for outright lead on day one at Yamaha A4DE 2016

Once again Victoria blessed riders, teams and spectators of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro with the sunshine as day one of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro officially kicked off today in Merrijig, rural Victoria.

The picturesque landscape played host to over 120 competitors around trails, before they tested their machines, and their speed in six timed tests to determine who would be the fastest rider on day one.

Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team Mathias Bellino (10th – 7:04.403), was the first athlete to leave the first test this morning, and although he looked to have the speed a small crash allowed competitors to relegate him in positions at the conclusion of test one.

Motul Pirelli Sherco Racing Team’s Matthew Phillips (23rd – 7:18.127) also looked to be the favourite today but he too suffered a crash in the first test allowing Yamaha’s Daniel Milner (6:46.349) to take the early lead, followed by team mate CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis (6:48.410), while Husqvarna mounted Lachlan Stanford (6:58.506) pinched third.

The Yamaha test was next for riders and having already had the chance to ride the Yamaha test in yesterday’s Prologue it was all too familiar allowing fast times to come. Bellino this time was victorious showing that the track suited his riding style very much.

Mathias (7:41.751) once again dominated the third test. Milner (7:42.276) and Josh Green (7:45.052) followed suit in second and third respectively. With three tests to go it was anyone’s guess who would wrap up day one in the top position. Competitors both battling it out on the Beta and Husqvarna tests before the final Yamaha test.

By the afternoon the temperature had reached a wrm 29-degrees and after a hard morning of tails and tests the fatigue was starting to show in riders. At the last control, before the final Yamaha test and work period, it allowed the competitors recharge with water and food before a hard last charge to the finish line for day one.

The dust had picked up and with only a 15 second gap between riders it was becoming quite challenging to navigate the final test of the day. However, showing much strength and proving why he is previous A4DE Champion four years running, Milner finished the final test out in front with a time of 2 minutes 11.606 seconds.

With all the times collated over six tests throughout the day, Yamaha mounted Milner did all it took to secure the fastest overall time for day one outright and in his E2 class with a total time of 28:21.901. Second and third outright were stolen by Hollis (28:34.686) and Bellino (28:35.926) respectively.

The Championship E1 class was won by Active8 Yamaha Yamalube’s Josh Green with an overall time across his five tests of 28 minutes 40.463 seconds. Milner was the fastest E2 rider, while Daniel Sanders secured an overall time of 29:50.852 making him the fastest E3 rider today.

Tayla Jones stole the show today in the women’s class with an overall time of 30:56.816 in front of Jemma Wilson (32:26.101) and Jessica Gardiner (33:29.896).

Day one proved valuable for Dylan Rees who secured himself the ideal start to the Four Days Enduro event in the Veterans class. Rees pushed his machine home with a fastest time of 30 minutes and 12.317 seconds.

Masters competitor David Fleming also showed he had the pace today after running his machine through the dust, creek crossings and through the heat to secure a fastest time of 31 minutes and 20.628 seconds in front of his fellow competitors today at the Yamaha A4DE.

Today’s leading state Senior Trophy Team was New South Wales comprising of Green, Hollis, Glenn Kearney, Stefan Granqvist, Nic Tomlinson and Tye Simmonds. The New South Wales Junior Trophy State Team also leading after day one of competition with Tom Kite, Wil Ruprecht, Ben Kearns and Broc Grabham leading the team.

NSW women’s team steered by Jessica Gardiner and Tayla Jones are currently leading the Women’s Trophy team after day one.

Tomorrow will mark day two for the riders, teams and spectators of the 2016 Yamaha Australian Four Days Enduro, where once again competitors will put to the test of speed in both trails and tests throughout the long and treacherous day.