AWED riding high in championship after AORC rounds 5 and 6

[raxy]

The sand of Murray Bridge, SA, was the setting for Rounds 5 & 6 of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships (AORC) on the weekend, where Australian Women's Enduro Development (AWED) riders celebrated consistent results aboard their Yamaha WR250F machines.Current Australian Women's Enduro Champion, Alison Parker, rode well however was unable to match the speed of QLD Yamaha's Jemma Wilson, finishing second on both days and relinquishing valued championship points.

"Both tracks were amazing - the sand, layout and rain earlier in the week helped prepare two world-class loops," said Parker.

"Wilson set a fast pace that unfortunately I was not able to match. The series lead is now tied and I'm more excited than ever about the remaining rounds, as I have been waiting years for a challenge like this.

"The quality and depth of the Women's field is continuing to improve, which is going to help Australia contest the Women's World Trophy at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Portugal later this year."

Parker has won the Women's class of the AORC every year since the series began in 2005.

Super-consistent Jacqui Jones, also heading to Portugal for the ISDE, continued her podium streak with two third places, and remains third in the Women's Championship.

"The track was sandy, rough and a lot of fun to ride. My speed is continually improving and I am pleased to have once again finished on the podium. There are 13 riders in this Women's title hunt, which means I need to keep working hard at every event," said Jones.

One AWED rider more accustomed to the terrain was WA's Dimity Duke, who used her sand-riding skills to place fourth each day, moving her into fourth in the Championship.

"The SA sand is definitely more like what I am used to on the West Coast than what we have ridden in other rounds. I had a ball out there. My bike performed brilliantly," said Duke.

AWED Team Manager and competitor, Jacqui Beattie, was unable to attend the weekend's racing due to an illness in her family.

AWED would like to thank Yamaha, Suspension Matters, Fox, Barkbusters, Scott, Unifilter, Pirelli, Whipp's Alloy Products, Quick Access Computing, Nine Two Decals, Galvin Constructions and Jamie Mackay Photography for their fantastic support this year.

The next event for AWED will be an all-women's riding school at Kenilworth, QLD on the 4th and 5th of July. For coaching enquiries, please email awed@live.com.au.