Hawkesbury offroad racer Jessica Gardiner and her team mate Jeremy Carpentier recently put on an impressive performance at the 40th anniversary of the Australian Four Day Enduro at Cessnock where it all began in 1978.
Gardiner and Carpentier, the Yamaha Mxstore Ballard’s Offroad Team, were there shining the blue racing flags with Gardiner racing in the Women’s class abroad her Yamaha WR250FJ and Jeremy Carpentier all the way from France racing in the Pro E1 category abroad his WR250FJ.
The four days of racing showed to be a true test of man and machine to conquer the physical and challenging course covering a total of approximately 600km.
The race involves only the rider being allowed to work mechanical on (or even touch) the bike. Service crews are only allowed to help with hot and dangerous fluids, while the rider must still assist.
The riders raced five special tests. Jess won the women’s class by 9.4 seconds for the day and Jeremy wrapped up fifth position in the Pro E1 class.
Day two of event saw the riders in for a treat, with a little rain on the other side of the hill the trials were more open and a little less dusty then the previous day of racing.
The riders endured nine special tests with several new tests to race. Jess Gardiner won the women’s class again today by a comfortable 35.5 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Jemma Wilson.
Performance slipped for Gardiner on day three, but picked up again on day four with an impressive run to the finish. Jess went out on fire in her Final motocross race taking the holeshot, although near the end of the first lap Jess made a small mistake allowing Jemma to pass.
Jess followed for two laps until putting down an impressive pass for the lead and then checked out- winning her final moto race by an exceptional 16.6 seconds.
“I can’t describe the adrenaline rush out there, to win in front of my family and friends here meant a lot so I found my second win out there and went for gold, it was a really fun track to race,” Gardiner said.
Overall the Australia Four Day Enduro was a huge success for the Yamaha Mxstore Ballard’s Offroad Team with Gardiner claiming her fifth Australian four day Enduro Women’s title and won the event for an overall 43.4 seconds over her nearest competitor, Jemma Wilson.
Jess also showed the girl power by finishing an exceptional 51th outright with 350 competitors.
“I am so happy to win my fifth A4DE Women’s title, I have competed in eight A4DE’s now so it’s great to have the most wins running out of the girls.
“This means a lot to me as there is a lot of hard work, tears and emotions that go in behind the scenes to make these results come true.”
Carpentier finished his first ever A4DE in fifth position.
The next event on the calendar for Jess and Jeremy will be Round 3/4 of the Australian Off-road Championships at Hedley, Victoria on the May 5 and 6.