Wade Young Takes Wildwood 3/3 Wins
Wade Young wins his 3rd Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro in what was the toughest course set in the event history.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd, estimated at around two and a half thousand, South African Wade Young has once again claimed victory in the 2019 edition of the Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro.
The event once again offered sections of the Wildwood property, near Tullamarine Airport in Victoria, that riders loved to hate. Each lap gave spectators a front-row seat to some of the biggest spills and displays of unbelievable bike skills ever seen on a dirt bike.
The morning prologue saw defending champion Young take the fastest time of 2 minutes and 4 seconds over Australian Tim Coleman who was 12 seconds back.
With the event moving back to a 3-hour format from the previously tested four-hour format, the action was condensed and exciting for the duration.
Wade Ibrahim closely followed Young for most of the six laps to and took second place once again after finishing in the same spot in 2018. Ibrahim once again proving that he is Australia fastest Extreme Enduro rider back to back. Tim Coleman rounded out the podium.
Wade Young commented that he was very impressed with how much harder this year’s event had been on the past years and was also aware that he could not afford to make any mistakes with Ibrahim hot on his heels. So close that it was only a 1:09 minute gap at the halfway point of the event between them.
“It was a good race,” said Young. “I really enjoyed the new sections of the track this year, and it was great to see so many fans back cheering us on. Conditions were perfect really. My bike was great, and we even ran the stock tyres which worked perfectly. It’s rewarding to put Sherco upfront and to win again. I like coming here and being in Australia.”
Event owner Steve Braszell was very happy with the significant turn out of Extreme Enduro fans on the day and after ten years of growing the sport in Australia can only see it taking off even more in the future.
With 141 riders started the 3-hour event with 116 making the finish line. Feedback was once again positive from all quarters with riders saying it was the hardest yet and they were exhausted but looking forward to 2020 already.
"It really is great to see the level of riders in Australia so high now and being able to put some real hard sections in for Bronze, Silver and Gold means only furthering the sport to that next level." Event promoter Braszell said.
Gold Class - #1 Wade Young, #2 Wade Ibrahim, #3 Tim Coleman, #4 Chris Perry, #5 Anthony Solar, #6 Mark Clements, #7 Broc Grabham and #8 Ben Grabham.
With plans already being made for 2020, it is no doubt that Wildwood has lived up to its name as Australia's Hardest off-road event of the year and holds a positive future.
