Today consisted of 9 tests and 205kms. Riders arriving at the paddock at 6:30am to gear up and get ready to enter their morning work period. It was cooler weather this morning before a 26 degree day.
Max Vlasich was the first of our riders to arrive at the Clay Target Club re fuel service. The riders saying "this side of town is a whole lot better than yesterday's trails". The tests that followed were fast. Time was tight with riders having to push hard to get into the last TC on time before heading home for a busy work period. A majority of the team changed tyres.
Unfortunately we had a few injuries today ending the 4 Day for Nathanial Beatie and Avril Gill, but both are still in pretty good spirits. Some riders still waiting on time penalty clarifications to see their final results for today. Alan Makin returned with a big smile on his face after finishing on his 1980 husky after a quick rebuild last night.
The vibe around the team tent is very positive coming to a close of a very tiring day 2. With many helpers on deck today all headed off for a well needed rest. Some of the team looking for an ice bath ready to get rolling again tomorrow. Outright results (pending) for WA riders, Max Vlasich 29th, Nathan Howe 57th, Brock Buckingham 82th, Jamie Makin 87th , Trent Sykes 111th, Nick Jeggo 131st, Cam Vanstan 132nd, Lachlan Carter 142nd, Angel Uruchima 216th, Mick Jongen 240th and Kat Kingsley 244th.
Thanks to Emily Tillbrook for the Day 2-Part 2 wrap up.
Day 3 Wrap Up:
Day 3 of 4 was underway once again bright and early. After a good night’s rest and recovery the riders started arriving to the paddock at 6am with a remote fuel drop off and getting their heads around the day’s schedule. Their bodies were at the point now where the aches and pains really had started to set in. With the encouragement and support within the team the riders set off on what was expected to be the hardest day yet. The temperature was expected to heat up to 29 degrees.
It was a very busy 10 minute morning work period for the helpers with 11 remaining riders in the team. Riders had also been re seeded which meant the Team had 6 riders leaving only minutes apart. Today consisted of 5 special tests, 165km and over 6 hours of riding. The trail conditions were very dry, dusty and had some long rough hills. Riders saying it was hard to find a rhythm. One 90 minute trail section was so tough it only had an average speed of 20km hr.
At the first service check point the WA team came in looking a little bit worn out, but with Lynne giving some encouraging words and many helpers assisting, the riders were able to get their heads back in their racing mindset. We unfortunately had Alan Makin with a dnf on the husky with clutch trouble. Kat Kingsley put in an amazing effort to come this far, but mid-way through today could not hang on and was too exhausted, deciding she would not continue. Kat should be so proud of her efforts.
We had an awesome bout of team spirit at the end of the day when Michael Jongen entered the last test of the day, running very late on time. The WA riders and helpers cheered Mike on so loud you could hear them all the way from the team tent.
The WA Junior Trophy Teams, Brock Buckingham, Nathan Howe, Jamie Makin and Max Vlasich have all finished the day and are in 3rd place . They dug deep on Day 3 and looking forward to an easier Day 4. .
The Senior Team's, Lachlan Carter, Cam Vanstan, Trent Sykes and Nick Jeggo finished the day as did Angel Uruchima and Mick Jongen. Day 4 final moto to come. Thanks for the wrap up Emily Tilbrook.
Day 4-Update
Coming into day four the teams were feeling the effects of a tough first three days, but a 45km trail ride and the all-important final moto was what stood between the teams and the finish line. The final moto was held at Cessnock Racecourse, a wide grass track was what faced the teams as they battled the 2.1km long course for five laps.
Junior Trophy
NSW have taken out day four at the A4DE in Cessnock with a time of 0:54:01, but Victoria have had the last laugh in the Junior Trophy taking out the overall with a second place on day four. A time of 0:55:02 was enough for the Victorians to claim the overall with Stuart Holt, Jesse Lawton, Trent Tucci and Andrew Wilksch putting together a solid four days of riding. Western Australia rounded out the podium in the Junior Trophy on day four, to back up a consistent four days. Brock Buckingham, Nathan Howe, Jamie Makin and Max Vlasich put in a time of 1:02:17, which was enough for third on the day and overall.
Team WA-We did it!! 3rd place in the A4DE Junior Trophy Team goes to WA.
Congratulations Team WA-Brock Buckingham, Nathan Howe, Jamie Makin and Max Vlasich, WA Junior Trophy Team.
A tough event and they dug deep when they needed too.
None of our riders had done a 4 Day Enduro before this event.
Huge thank you to all our helpers, you were the back bone of their success.
Overall A4DE Senior Trophy Provisional Results
NSW – 12:50:47.343
QLD – 13:24:50.519
VIC – 17:17:07.414
WA – 26:33:55.908
SA – 28:46:44.481
Overall A4DE Junior Trophy Provisional Results
VIC – 09:09:34.720
NSW – 09:19:29.132
WA – 09:58:28.154
ACT – 12:41:46.888
QLD – 13:52:05.806
Overall A4DE Ladies Trophy Provisional Results
NSW – 04:52:45.626
ACT – 06:56:17.197
QLD – 08:35:07.590
VIC – 11:28:54.589
WA – 20:24:39.981
To see all the action from the 2018 Yamaha Australian Four Day Enduro visit the A4DE website! or by following the A4DE on Facebook and Instagram.
View Video of Team WA set-up https://business.facebook.com/Aussie4day/videos/2033041740043417/