Geoff Battle

Australia Set for 2024 FIM International 6 Days of Enduro: Cooper Sheidow Leads South Australia’s Charge

October 11, 2024 Filed Under: News

In less than a week, Australia will compete alongside top enduro talents from over 30 nations at the 2024 FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in Silleda, Spain from the 14th to 19th of October. Among the team is SA’s Cooper Sheidow ready to don the green and gold against the world’s elite.

Known as the ‘Olympics of Motorcycling’ the ISDE is a true test of endurance, as teams cover approximately 1300km as the difficulty ramps up each day, culminating in the traditional motocross test finale.

Cooper’s track record speaks volumes about his talent, including:

Claiming the E1 Championship in the 2024 Australian Off-Road Championship.
Finishing 4th outright and 2nd in class at the 2023 Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE).
Securing 6th outright in the 2023 Hattah Desert Race.
Taking 1st place in the SA Off Road Championship Pro Field.
Winning the 2023 Hardi 24 Hour on his first attempt, with an unprecedented 20-minute lead.

Cooper won’t be alone in his quest for success. He’ll be joined by a powerhouse lineup of Australian talent in the Senior World Trophy team, including Josh Strang, Jonte Reynolds, and Kyron Bacon. Adding to Australia’s strong push for ISDE success in 2024, the Junior World Trophy team will feature Korey McMahon, Angus Riordan, and William Dennett, while Jessica Gardiner, Tayla Jones, and Danielle McDonald will represent Australia in the Women’s World Trophy team.

With Australia claiming multiple previous Senior World Trophy victories and Cooper teaming up with proven champion Josh Strang, returning from his 2018 win, Team Australia is primed for a glorious return in 2024. As they finalize preparations, we wish them the best of luck!

To keep up to date with the 2024 ISDE action, follow Motorcycling Australia through their website, Facebook and Instagram.

Historic Wins and Podiums: SA’s Success at the 2024 GASGAS Australian Trial Championship

October 9, 2024 Filed Under: News, Trials

Last weekend, 15 of South Australia’s top trial talents took on the nation’s best at the 2024 GASGAS Australian Trial Championship in Ravenswood, near Bendigo—and our riders certainly made their mark! From crowning the first-ever South Australian Trial 1 Open Australian Champion to securing multiple podium finishes and several top-10 placings, 2024 has been a standout year for our SA contingent. Before diving into the full SA results, let’s highlight a few of the weekend’s standout moments.

Fresh from representing Australia at his seventh Trial des Nations (TdN) and competing against world-class riders in Europe, Connor Hogan returned to Australian soil in sensational form. Tackling the challenging Open Solo/Trial 1 class, Connor barely put a foot wrong over two days, finishing 25 points clear of NSW’s 9-time reigning, Kyle Middleton to be crowned the 2024 Trial 1 Australian Champion and Australian #1 for the first time. Reviewing his historic win, Connor said, “It’s taken a long time and a lot of hard work, but I finally managed to take the win.” He continued, “Congratulations to all the other riders in the field, in particular Kyle Middleton who I have idolised for many years and whose level has always been a goal to strive towards. Biggest thanks need to go to the Turners; without Paul and Harry Turner it would have been extremely difficult to do what I did overseas this year, not to mention all the guidance Harry provided on the bike. This one means a lot!”

*What a team! – Bill Mudge, Brenton Hogan, Tyler Hogan, Connor Hogan & Ella Peacock*

This monumental achievement places Connor among an elite group of South Australians, as only Kym Powell (1981) and Adrian Harry (2002/03) have previously reached the podium in the Trial 1 Australian Championship.

Several other South Australians joined Connor with Championship podium performances after the 2 huge days. Rob White claimed third place in the Veterans 55+ class, Hayden Eardley secured third in the Youth category, and Cadance Long achieved third in the Junior Girls 7 to Under 13 Championship. Special recognition goes to Aaron Long, who set aside his 2024 Championship campaign to support and mind his daughter, Cadance, as she earned her well-deserved podium finish.

Special mention and kudos to Lucinda Cowan and Ashley Barwick, who both stepped up to ride in the Open Women’s class, as there were no Open Junior Girls class featured over the weekend. Their determination to compete at this higher level demonstrates the resilience and talent emerging from our South Australian riders.

In the State Team Championship, the Team SA Wallabies, featuring Connor Hogan, Hayden Eardley, Kody Irrgang, and Lucinda Cowan, delivered a stellar performance, securing third place ahead of Queensland. Meanwhile, the Team SA Taipans—comprising Alisha Harry, Harry Petersen, Cadance Long, and Oliver Schultz—finished in a commendable 7th place. The Taipans were closely matched with Western Australia, narrowly missing out on sixth by just 8 points.

*Team SA Wallabies – Hayden Eardley, Lucinda Cowan, Connor Hogan & Kody Irrgang. Image by Brian Lang.*

*Team SA Taipans – Alisha Harry, Cadance Long, Oliver Schultz & Harry Petersen. Image by Brian Lang.*

With such a high level of trial expertise across all classes, our SA riders have made us incredibly proud. We are confident that many future Australian champions are in the making, ready to leave their mark in the coming years. A massive congratulations to all our South Aussie Trial 2024 Championship competitors!

Team SA – John Cowan, Cadance Long, Connor Hogan, Kody Irrgang, Harry Petersen, Isaac Schultz (reserve), Oliver Schultz, Alisha Harry, Lucinda Cowan, Ashley Barwick (reserve), Matt Petersen (Team Manager). Image by Brian Lang.

SA’s 2024 GASGAS Australian Trial Championship Results –

2024 SA Road Race Championship Round 5: The Final Championship Points Fight at Mac Park!

October 8, 2024 Filed Under: News, Road Racing, State Championship

Last weekend, the SA Road Race Championship took centre stage at Mac Park, where the Mount Gambier MCC proudly hosted the fifth and final round of the 2024 SA Road Race Championships, coinciding with the thrilling 2024 Masters of Mac Park. As road race fans and families made their traditional long weekend trip to Mount Gambier, excitement soared as SA’s fastest riders took to the track for the ultimate Championship showdowns. Before we dive into the weekend’s Championship races, let’s extend a special congratulations to Declan Carberry for taking out the 2024 Master of Mac!

Superbike

After a year of intense Championship battles, the Superbike final came down to a thrilling dash to the finish. Declan Carberry claimed the early win in Race 1, but a crash took him out of Races 2 and 3, leaving Charles Holding and Brad Raethel to contest the top spot. Raethel secured a strong victory in Race 2 before Holding responded with wins in Races 3 and 4, clinching the final Round 5 Superbike victory ahead of Raethel. Rusty Crane held off Andrew Tension-Woods to take third place for the round.

Supersport 600

Charles Holding came out swinging in Round 5, aiming to secure the win after finishing first in both Race 1 and Race 2. However, a DNS in Race 3 opened the door for Ryder Gilbert and Sam Pezzetta to battle for the top spot. Gilbert’s consistent 3-2-1-2 scorecard narrowly secured him the round win, edging out Pezzetta’s 2-3-2-3 finishes. Despite the setback, Holding clinched third overall with a brilliant victory in the final race, capping off a strong weekend.

Production 300

In a fitting conclusion to his near-perfect championship season, Ryder Gilbert dominated Round 5 of the Production 300 Championship with a clean sweep of first-place finishes. The victory didn’t come without a challenge, as Sam Pezzetta stayed right on his heels, securing second overall and nearly breaking Gilbert’s winning streak in Race 2, finishing just 0.404 seconds behind. Rounding out the Round 5 Production 300 podium, Flynn Jacobs held off strong challenges from Lucas Warren and Darren Trotter to secure third place.

Junior

Seth Dellow was on track for a clean sweep of first-place finishes in Round 5 of the Junior Championship before a fourth-place result in Race 4 ended his streak. Nevertheless, his dominant earlier performances were enough to comfortably secure the overall round victory. His brother, Ethan Dellow, claimed second place with a consistent run of second-place finishes in all races, while Xayvion Amoy rounded out the podium in third.

Sidecar

Championship third-place holders Max and Sam Hutchesson had an outstanding weekend, claiming victory in all three SA Sidecar Championship races, along with a win in the 2024 Sidecar Master of Mac Park feature race. Royce and Leonard Rowe finished a close second for the round, pushing the Hutchessons to the limit with thrilling finishes in Races 1 and 2, trailing by just 0.455 and 0.555 seconds, respectively. Michael Alton and David Rumble completed the podium in third place, following strong performances and consistent challenges within the top three.

Limited

Andrew Pitman delivered strong performances in the first two races, appearing poised to end the year with a perfect round. However, Joshua Mathers snatched the victory in Race 3. Undeterred, Pitman returned to narrowly edge out Mathers for the win in the final race, securing the overall class round victory and leaving Mathers in second place, with Ryder Gilbert finishing third to close out the year.

Catch up on a full breakdown of race results – HERE.

Reflecting on the excitement of the 2024 SA Road Race Championship, we have witnessed incredible talent and fierce competition throughout the season. From record-breaking lap times to nail-biting finishes, this year has truly showcased the best of road racing in South Australia. Congratulations to all competitors, and we look forward to seeing how each rider evolves in the off-season. Here’s to a well-deserved break and an even more thrilling 2025!

*Superbike battle for the front between Charles Holding #8, Declan Carberry #220 & Brad Raethel #63. Image by **Ralph Meznar**.*

Sam Pezzetta charging hard all weekend. Image by **Ralph Meznar**.

Xayvion Amoy pushing hard for those final Championship points to wrap up 2024. Image by Ralph Meznar.	Andrew Pitman sending 2024 off with a bang in the Limited Championship. Image by Ralph Meznar.
Max and Sam Hutchesson putting on a flawless Mac Park show. Image by Ralph Meznar.	The constant, intense weekend battle for the sidecar lead. Image by Ralph Meznar.

SA Riders Gear Up for the 2024 Australian Trials Championship in Ravenswood

October 4, 2024 Filed Under: News

After South Australia played host in 2023, 130 of Australia’s top trial riders are set to converge on Ravenswood, Victoria, for the 2024 GASGAS Australian Trials Championship this weekend. Among them are 15 talented South Australians vying for championship glory.

After a year of travelling the world and returning from the 2024 Trial des Nations (TdN), Connor Hogan is back on Australian soil, ready to compete in the Trial 1 class. He’s brought along some world-class backup from England: Harry Turner, who secured 12th place in the 2024 Trial 2 World Title, will be looking to leverage that experience in the Trial 1 field.

With no Open Junior Girls class featured, both Lucinda Cowan and Ashley Barwick are stepping up to compete in the Women’s class. And we can’t overlook the impressive young SA talents! With SA Championship talents, including Alisha Harry, Cooper Harry, and Clarry Knight, lining up, we are sure to give Australia’s best a run for their money.

Without further ado, here are the Trials SA riders taking on Australia this weekend:

Event Preview – 2024 SA Road Race Championship Round 5: The Final Race for the Crown!

October 2, 2024 Filed Under: News, Road Racing, State Championship

Gear up for high-speed action as the fifth and final round of the 2024 SA Road Race Championship hits Mac Park from October 4th to 6th, hosted by the Mount Gambier MCC. The weekend promises to deliver excitement for fans young and old as South Australia’s fastest junior and senior road racers take to the track over two action-packed days of competition. With the fan-favourite Master of Mac Park and the SA Sidecar Championship adding to the excitement, there’s no better place to be on your October long weekend than trackside at Mac Park.

Entry List

Following an exceptional performance at Round 5 in Phillip Island, Charles Holding is set to make a significant impact as he competes in both the Superbike and Supersport classes at Mac Park, where he currently holds the dual Championship lead for 2024. With a remarkable streak of victories this season, the pressure is on Holding to maintain his momentum. Will he be able to clinch another victory at Mac Park, or will fierce rivals like Sam Pezzetta, Brad Raethel, Aaron Rigby, and the returning Declan Carberry present a formidable challenge and potentially disrupt his championship aspirations in this crucial final round?

*Charles Holding – Image by Pit Lane Studio.*

In the thrilling battle for the 2024 Supersport 300 Championship, the spotlight is firmly on Ryder Gilbert and Ghage Plowman, who are separated by a mere three points. Gilbert, coming off a strong third-place finish last year, is determined to secure the championship win this season. However, he faces a stacked field of competitors, including Lucas Warren, Darren Trotter, and Flynn Jacobs, all eager to thwart his plans.

*Ryder Gilbert – Image by Pit Lane Studio*.

The 150cc production class is set for an intense showdown as brothers Ethan and Seth Dellow face off for one last time. With Xayvion Amoy and Ghage Plowman entering the mix, this is one race you won’t want to miss a second of!

*Seth Dellow – Image by Pit Lane Studio.*

As the track is set for the showdown of the Sidecar Championship, 28 elite teams from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland are ready to deliver a weekend of exhilarating action and nail-biting finishes. With high stakes and a stacked field of riders accross the Limited and Pre-Modern Championships, this last Mac Park face-off is wide open for the taking.

Where:

Providing the perfect backdrop to all the final Championship action, the Mac Park Motorsport Circuit is a favourite among riders and road racing fans. Located just 15 minutes from Mount Gambier, it offers fans a great selection of accommodations for the long weekend of racing.

Plan out your trip – HERE.

Spectator Info:

Practice gets underway on Friday, setting the stage for two action-packed days of racing. The Mac Park Canteen will be on hand to keep riders, fans, and teams fueled with a variety of hot food and cold drinks.

If you’re still looking for accommodation this weekend, no need to worry! Comfort Inn The Lakes, a long-time supporter of Mt Gambier MCC, offers top-quality indoor accommodations conveniently located just minutes from the town centre.

Live Timing:

For real-time updates of results, be sure to visit Computime and catch all the live-timing action.

Socials:

Don’t miss any action—stay connected by following Mount Gambier MCC accross Facebook and Instagram.

Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship Round 6 – A Grand Finale in Clare

October 1, 2024 Filed Under: News, Reliability, State Championship

Last Saturday, the 28th of September, Clare became the centrepiece of Reliability Trial action as Clare MCC hosted the sixth and final round of the Gawler Motorcycle Centre 2024 SA Reliability Trial Championship—the Beryl Pearce Trial. With anticipation building for one last charge to the finish line, the 6-hour, 2-lap event presented a final opportunity for the Championship titles to be decided for 2024, and everyone felt the excitement.

*Shane Schiller & Steven Doecke – Image by SkidMark Photos.*

Windy conditions added an extra layer of difficulty to the final round, but die-hard reliability trial fans secured prime trackside spots to witness 28 Sidecars and 75 Solos tackle the tree-studded, dusty course. The Sidecars opened the day, breaking in the challenging terrain. Third off the rank and looking fast as ever, the duo of Shane Schiller and Steven Doecke took early control, overtaking teams Daniel Plowman/Bradley Brook and Shaun Blenkiron/Nathan Saegenschnitter on the first lap. Schiller and Doecke held their lead throughout, securing a commanding win and claiming provisional victory in the final round of the Championship.

The battle for the Beryl Pearce second and third was much tighter as Bradley Hunter and Adam Brook crossed the finish line in second place at the end of lap 2. However, Championship leaders Daniel Plowman and Bradley Brook answered back, reclaiming silver by a narrow margin of just 26 seconds to wrap up round 6, leaving Hunter and Brook to settle for third in the provisional standings.

*Toby Lewis – Image by Team Thomas Racing.*

After a close third-place finish in round 5, Toby Lewis claimed the Beryl Pearce honours by taking an early lead and holding off challenges from Championship leader Sam Nenasheff. Nenasheff, meanwhile, faced his own battle with Daniel Fraser, who made a stellar comeback in lap 2 but fell agonisingly short, settling for provisional third by just 4 seconds.

To catch up on all the Round 6 provisional results, click HERE.

SandPlow Photography, SkidMark Photos, and Team Thomas Racing were all present to capture the thrilling action. Visit their profiles to view all the photos and purchase your favorite moments from Clare. A special thanks to SkidMark Photos for the cover photo.

Rounding out the 2024 Championship, the Beryl Pearce Trial provided the perfect final outing to cement the overall standings, with results set to be confirmed by midnight on Thursday, October 3rd. Champions will be officially crowned at the 2024 Presentation Night, with plenty of Championship stories to share. Tickets are still available for purchase through Ridenet, so be sure to lock in your seats for a fantastic night to cap off the year. The success of the 2024 season would not have been possible without the incredible support of the Championship sponsor, Gawler Motorcycle Centre, along with the efforts of all the volunteers and the hosting clubs. With 2025 on the horizon, another thrilling year of competition awaits, and new Champions are sure to emerge.