Webmaster posted on April 29, 2009 09:04
Australian Women's Enduro Development (AWED) riders produced strong performances at the 2009 Hog's Breath Café Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) in Orange, NSW last weekend.
Among the largest women’s field ever - and riding for a place on the first Australian Women’s Enduro Team to contest the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) later this year - AWED claimed two positions on the podium, and all four riders displayed excellent enduro skills during the event.
Australia's Queen of Off Road, Alison Parker, triumphantly defended her Australian Enduro Championships of the last two years, completing her 8th A4DE – all aboard Yamaha WR250Fs - by a convincing margin of nearly three minutes.
"This year's event was unique; the special tests became very rough, requiring physical endurance. I was certainly able to feel the benefits of months of training," stated Parker, who is favoured for a place on the Australian Team after her flawless record at the top of Women’s Enduro in Australia since 2002, and strong performances in two previous ISDEs.
AWED’s youngest rider, Jacqui Jones, rode exceptionally well to lead the final motocross test and eventually complete the A4DE in third place.
“My WR250F performed well all week. I’m really happy with my special test times, especially the way my Pirelli tyres gripped on the grass tracks,” recalled Jones.
Tyre changing guru and enduro stalwart, Jacqui Beattie, once again proved that no event is too tough, completing her third A4DE without losing trail time, despite the dry, rocky conditions.
“I’m so proud of all the female competitors, for getting through this race which, for many of them, was their first A4DE," she said at the conclusion of the event.
“We had young girls having their photos taken with us, which highlights the growing popularity of women in motorcycling.”
Western Australian motocross front-runner, Dimity Duke, found the experience very rewarding, despite the vastly different terrain to her home trails in southwest WA.
“The A4DE is such a huge event. I was relieved to be using Scott Desert Goggles for this race – it was very dusty out there," said Duke. “I’d like to thank Suspension Matters for the great handling of my bike over the rocky terrain."
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 rounds 3 and 4 of the Yamaha Australian Offroad Championships in Blayney, NSW on 16-17/5/09, which will be followed by an all-female coaching clinic in QLD in late May.
For coaching enquiries, please email awed@live.com.au