15.10.2023

RILEY MCGILLIVRAY CROWNED E3 CHAMPION IN AUSTRALIAN OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP THRILLER

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It came down to a matter of seconds, but KTM-supported off-road racer Riley McGillivray has finished 2023 in the best way possible, winning a thrilling final round of the 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and clinching the E3 class title in the process.
The 19-year-old McGillivray entered the final two rounds of the series at Dungog, NSW, holding a slender four-point championship lead, meaning he had to finish ahead of his closest competitor at least once in order to take the crown.

In dry, dusty conditions, McGillivray and his 2023 KTM 500 EXC-F traded fastest times with Stefan Granquist throughout Saturday's proceedings, finishing a long day of racing just two seconds off the pace.

Sunday’s action started with just one championship point between the two front-runners and it was the teenager who struck first, negotiating the warm conditions to pull out a 14-second lead after the first three tests.

McGillivray refused to let off for the afternoon loop and again finished at the top of the leaderboard, finishing the day with a 17-second lead and a well-deserved E3 championship number-one plate.

In the highly competitive E2 class, KTM-backed Andy Wilksch continued to race his way back into form with pair of solid results for the final two rounds of the year, and finishing the championship in fifth, despite missing four of the 12 rounds.

Still recovering from a mid-season knee injury, and coming to terms with some of the tighter, more technical tests the riders faced, Wilksch was involved in a day-long battle around the rolling Dungog hills on Saturday. Some errors in the afternoon heat saw him ultimately come home in fourth, just shy of a podium result.

Eager to finish his season off on a positive note, Wilksch came firing out of the blocks during Sunday’s final enduro round, establishing himself in P2 at the halfway mark, then finding himself in another spirited timed battle with several other racers. He would eventually cross the line in a solid P3 to cap off his 2023 campaign.

Riley McGillivray: “It was a stressful weekend here for the final rounds, as I needed at least a first and a second to win. After finishing second yesterday, it came down to the wire, with just one point in it. I was a bit frustrated yesterday that I wasn’t quick enough, so I made sure I came out of the gates swinging today! I put some good tests in and built a gap, and was able to maintain that to the end. It blows me away to think that the title came down to a matter of seconds after a full year of racing, but I couldn’t be happier to take the win.”

Andy Wilksch: “It was another warm weekend and the tight, technical tests worked well for the dry conditions. It was good for me to work on that style of racing as it’s been a bit of a weakness of mine in the past. I learned a lot on Saturday, but made too many mistakes in the afternoon. I improved on some stuff today and ran some competitive times, which I’m happy with, considering the year we’ve had with injuries and the depth of talent in the E2 class. It obviously wasn’t a perfect season for me, but getting on the podium as much as I have this year is an achievement, I feel, and shows everyone that KTM is one of the most competitive bikes out there. I want to give a big thanks to everyone who helped make 2023 happen and I look forward to seeing what next year has in store.”

2023 Australian Off-Road Championship – Dungog, NSW

Round 11 results:
E2
1. Jonte Reynders (Sherco)
2. Joshua Green (Yamaha)
3. Jye Dickson (GASGAS)
4. Andy Wilksch (KTM)
5. Travis Silk (KTM)

E3
1. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)
2. Riley McGillivray (KTM)
3. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)
4. Thomas Henry (Beta)
5. Patrick McGillivray (KTM)

Round 12 results:
E2
1. Jonte Reynders (Sherco)
2. Fraser Higlett (Beta)
3. Andy Wilksch (KTM)
4. Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha)
5. Joshua Green (Yamaha)

E3
1. Riley McGillivray (KTM)
2. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)
3. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)
4. Broc Grabham (KTM)
5. Patrick McGillivray (KTM)

Championship standings:
E3
1. Riley McGillivray, 231 points
2. Stefan Granquist, 227
3. Sam Pretscherer, 212
4. Patrick McGillivray, 156
5. Luke Bunnik, 97

E2
1. Josh Green, 223 points
2. Jonte Reynders, 206
3. Jye Dickson, 193
4. Fraser Higlett, 156
5. Andy Wilksch, 142
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RILEY MCGILLIVRAY - KTM AUSTRALIA
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RILEY MCGILLIVRAY 02 - KTM AUSTRALIA
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ANDY WILKSCH 06 - KTM AUSTRALIA
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Contact

AUSTRALIA - Rosie Lalonde

 

 

Rosie Lalonde

Marketing Manager

KTM Group
Australia - New Zealand

T + 61 428 181 388 
E rosie.lalonde@ktm.com