2024 AORC Champions crowned – Milner back on top
The 12th and final round of the 2024 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC) saw champions crowned – Daniel Milner, Kyron Bacon, Jye Dickson, Danielle Macdonald and Jett Yarnold take the major titles.
Round 12 of the 2024 AORC series stopped over in Nowra, New South Wales for a final flurry of Sprint Enduro at the MXstore test track. The fact all classes were too tight to call until the final day’s racing showed how close the AORC racing has been in ‘24.
Leaving Nowra with the major championship titles were Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team) in E1, Daniel Milner (DM31 Racing, KTM Australia) in E2, Jye Dickson (Beta Racing Australia) in E3, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in EW and Jett Yarnold (Yamaha Motor Australia, Yamalube) in EJ.
E1
It’s been a special comeback for Bacon, who claimed the Championship title two years prior. After his injury last season, the Tasmanian came in all guns blazing for the 12 rounds – despite interrupting things with a successful trip to Europe for a couple of EnduroGP World Championship wins.
Bacon completed AORC Round 12 like he finished Round 11, on the top step. Tangoing with Korey McMahon (GASGAS Australia, Motorex) who was a consistent all day but when push came to shove, the Yamaha racer managed to add up those valuable seconds for the win!
“It’s an awesome feeling winning the Championship this year,” says Bacon. “I did it two years ago but to get a second is very special. I broke my femur last year and it’s been a really significant journey to rebuild and get to this point, where I can claim another Championship title.”
Finishing in second place for the 2024 season is McMahon. The GASGAS rider has had a fantastic season, even managing to clinch some gold finishes ahead of Bacon.
Claiming bronze for the 2024 season was Tom Buxton (KTM Australia, DM31 Racing Team). The KTM racer has kicked off his first AORC season in style, remaining an ever-present force at the front of the E1 pack all year long.
E2
Milner’s gameplan to finish upright minus any additional injuries worked. While still clocking in times that kept him around the top 10, Milner protected his gold place finish from the likes of Jonte Reynders (Motul Pirelli Sherco) and Will Dennett (Shop Yamaha Off Road Racing Team). Milner leaves Nowra and his first AORC since returning from Europe, with a well earnt 2024 E2 Championship title!
“Round 12 was a difficult one for me, that’s for sure,” confirmed Milner. “We had an injury I had to tackle from last round and two weeks ago I had surgery to fix that. So this weekend and especially yesterday, was all about just getting through. It’s definitely been a difficult weekend.
“To win this Championship title, is really big. It’s been a struggle the past few years overseas and honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve won a title. So to win the E2 class and overall fastest rider, is really special. I always love being back in Australia, so I couldn’t be happier!”
Rounding out the 2024 E2 Championship podium is Reynders in second, followed by Dennett in third.
E3
In his second AORC season ever, Dickson has ridden onto the top step and is our official 2024 E3 Champion! The Beta racer was a steady presence in E3 all year long and where Riley McGillivray (KTM Australia, Shepparton Motorcycles) dropped form and lost time, Dickson swooped in and pushed ahead.
“It was pretty brutal out there,” explained Dickson. “The track was faster than yesterday and all in all, was fairly gnarly.
“It’s a pretty big deal for me to claim this win. It’s my second year racing in Enduro, so to get a Championship title this early means a lot!”
Former Champion, McGillivray finishes the 2024 season in second place for E3, ahead of Husqvarna’s Billy Hargy in third place. With just 21 points separating McGillivray from the top step and a consecutive Championship title, it all sat on today’s Sprints and whether Dickson could keep it upright.
EW
In her rookie year for EW, McDonald shook the boat and claimed a hard-fought, well earnt 2024 EW Championship title! The Yamaha racer was an absolute demon behind the handlebars all season long. While she initially looked to find her feet, McDonald quickly found her confidence and flew ahead of the EW pack.
“Round 12 was really good. I managed to wrap it up on a high note,” confirmed McDonald. “The competition was super tough but I managed to pick up my game, find my flow and get on top.
“This Championship means everything. I’ve been wanting this for years and to get it in my rookie year is unbelievable. I can’t believe we’re here!”
The 2023 EW Champion, Jess Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) finishes the 2024 season in second place. Gardiner started the season off strong with multiple first place finishes but as the season wore on, she couldn’t quite meet the speeds and corresponding times that her teammate, McDonald made.
Rounding out the 2024 Championship podium is Beta’s Ebony Nielsen. The Queenslander has been a steady presence in EW all season long and it’s thanks to this consistency that we welcome her into third place!
EJ
Prior to becoming the 2024 EJ Champion, Yarnold knew the taste of glory as a former AORC Junior Champion! The future definitely looks bright for this Yamaha racer, who has continuously demonstrated fine form all season long.
“Round 12 today was tough,” says Yarnold. “I struggled early on and couldn’t find my flow. In the afternoon I managed to find my flow but I had Eli Tripcony right behind me. We’ve had some great battles today. Eli definitely kept me on my toes.
“Winning the Championship means everything to me. This is what we’ve been working so hard for, for so long. I am so stoked to be here.”
The competition in EJ is fierce, to say the least. Right behind Yarnold in second place for the 2024 season is Eli Tripcony (Motorex, Husqvarna) by just 20 points. With only one failure sitting between Tripcony and glory, it all came down to the final Sprints today. Unfortunately for Tripcony, he couldn’t match the blistering times that Yarnold put down and instead, had to concede for second place.
Last but not least is Oliver Paterno in third place overall. The Yamaha racer may not have been able to meet the speeds of Yarnold or Tripcony but he definitely managed to comfortably protect his third-place finish from the remaining EJ field.
More information: www.aorc.org.au
Words Credit: Caitlin Hynes
Photo Credit: Troy Pears
