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“This was one race I really wanted to try and win. Unfortunately I had a bit of bad luck at Finke... to take the four day title two years in a row is unreal, an unreal feeling.” Ballard’s Yamaha racer, Chris Hollis, finished second to Price in Champ E2 and Outright. The Port Macquarie native, who turned 27 on Day 3 of the event, said he had “pushed as hard as he could”, and congratulated Price on his win. Third in E2 went to Victorian Daniel Milner (Yamaha). The only rider to lay down a faster time than Toby Price in the final MX was Ballard’s Yamaha young gun, Matt Phillips. Phillips, 18, from Tasmania, was flying aboard his big-bore YZ475 and easily took the Championship E3 Class national title ahead of Motorex KTM?s Jarrod Bewley (from Sydney). Force Honda?s Nick Beattie (from Queensland) finished third in E3. In Championship E1, it was Husqvarna rider Alex Salvini who took the class win. However, as Salvini is from Italy, he was ineligible to be awarded with the national title. Ballard’s Yamaha racer Stefan Merriman, who finished second in class to Salvini, was crowned the Championship E1 Champion. Merriman, 38, from Nelson Bay in NSW said last night in his acceptance speech at the award’s presentation that it was a “little bit of payback” for all the years he raced in Italy and couldn’t be awarded any titles. Runner-up in Champ E1 then went to Yamaha rider and 10-time Queensland Enduro Champion, Kirk Hutton (from Brisbane). And fellow Queenslander, Force Honda?s AJ Roberts, rounded out the top three. In the Veteran?s Class, it was local racer Matt Dumigan (Yamaha) who took the title ahead of Motorex KTM?s Brad Williscroft. Husqvarna’s Damian Smith claimed third. Dumigan, who also came a commendable 12th Outright, said he didn?t expect to finish on top of his class: “to even be up here on the podium with the likes of Brad and Damian is a huge honor,” he said. “To win this title, at my home track, is the most amazing feeling.” The Master’s Class saw just as large an upset, with five-time winner, Geoff Ballard (Yamaha) being unseated by Brisbane racer and MX legend, James Deakin (KTM). It was Deakin’s first ever enduro. He said he had put a “tremendous amount of effort” into preparing for the race, and had given it “everything he had” in the final MX - after suffering a “bad start”, he charged through the pack to pass Ballard. Queensland rider and enduro legend, Peter Buckley, came third. Ballard’s Yamaha racer, Jessica Gardiner, took out her second consecutive national title in the Women’s Championship class. Jemma Wilson (Yamaha), from Brisbane, came second. Third in the class was taken out by Alison Parker (Yamaha). It was Parker’s 10th A4DE. In Outright, Toby Price was first, Chris Hollis second, Matt Phillips third, Alex Salvini fourth, Daniel Milner fifth, Stefan Merriman sixth, Josh Green seventh, Jarrod Bewley eighth, Nick Beattie ninth and Kirk Hutton tenth. In the Junior Trophy Team category, it was the Queensland boys who finished ahead. Victoria came second, ACT third. The Senior Trophy Team award was won by NSW. Queensland was second, Victoria third. The Trade Team trophy was won by the Ballard?s Yamaha team. Motorex KTM finished second, Force Honda Racing third and Husqvarna Racing 1, fourth. Motorcycling Australia officials confirmed last night that the 2012 A4DE would be held in East Gippsland (VIC) in August. Organisers of the 2011 A4DE, the Gum Valley Motorcycle Club, wished to thank all their members and volunteers for their tremendous effort in making the event such a huge success. Also, a big thank you to the event’s sponsors: YAMAHA, YAMALUBE, CYCRA, GYTR, KTM, HUSABERG, HUSQVARNA, PIRELLI, JJ RICHARDS, PAYNE PRINT, SNAP FITNESS, ENDURA, BALLARD’S OFF-ROAD, CITY FITNESS (MACKAY), MACKAY TOURISM, LEGRA, CARDNO BOWLER, BOWLER GEOTECHNICAL, TERRASCAN, FLEXI HIRE, CHANNEL SEVEN, MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL, MACKAY CONVENTION BUREAU, MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA and QUEENSLAND EVENTS. And media partners: TRANSMOTO MAGAZINE, DIRT ACTION, FULLNOISE.COM.AU, EATMYDIRT.COM.AU and MCNEWS.COM.AU. For all the A4DE news, videos and pics, head to www.a4de.com and “Like” the Facebook page. Thank you to all the riders, crew, spectators, volunteers and sponsors who supported the race. ENDS MEDIA: Leigh Hutton - 0400 465 101 2011 A4DE RESULTS Champ E1 |
