The Australian Enduro Championship delivered a closely contested weekend, with Jessica Gardiner and Danielle McDonald sharing the wins across the two days. Gardiner remains firmly in control of the championship standings with the season entering its closing stages.
Gardiner takes advantage on Saturday
Danielle McDonald looked set for victory on Saturday after building a 40-second lead over Jess Gardiner. However, the Yamaha Australia rider’s hopes disappeared during the final sprint when a small crash caused her front brake to seize.
Gardiner took advantage of the opportunity to claim her fifth victory of the season, with Madi Simpson finishing second and Madison Healey third.
The result extended Gardiner’s championship lead to 20 points, with the JGR Yamaha rider moving to 191 points. Simpson followed on 171, while Healey moved into third with 143 points, just two ahead of Emelie Granquist.
McDonald bounces back on Sunday
McDonald responded in the best possible way on Sunday, putting Saturday’s disappointment behind her to take a dominant victory.
The 19-year-old Yamaha Australia rider won all six special tests to secure the overall victory, finishing ahead of Madi Simpson and Gardiner.
The battle for second was extremely close, with Simpson finishing just one second ahead of Gardiner. Madison Healey took fourth, followed by Courtney Rubie and Emelie Granquist.
Despite missing out on the win, Gardiner strengthened her position at the top of the championship. She now leads Simpson by 18 points, 211 to 193. Healey sits third on 161 points, with Granquist close behind on 156.
Gardiner is now closing in on a potential 10th Australian Enduro Championship title.
Lorna Lock remains perfect in Junior Girls
Lorna Lock continued her impressive form in the Junior Girls class, taking victory on both days aboard her Yamaha YZ85.
Aida Harris impressed on her debut to finish second, while Olivia Johnson completed the podium.
Lock now leads Johnson by 31 points in the championship, 225 to 194, and could secure the title at the next round in Coonalpyn on Saturday if her strong run continues.
Jessie Harris remains third in the standings with 167 points, meaning the current top three mirrors the final championship order from 2025.
