DANIEL MILNER WINS RND 2 OF 2025 AEC

KTM DM31 Racing Team’s Daniel Milner opened his 2025 Australian Enduro Championship (AEC) account in fine form this weekend, leaving Rounds 1 and 2 in Kempsey with the Pro Enduro outright and E2 Class lead after finishing P2 on Saturday and then winning both categories on Sunday. New recruits Jonte Reynders and Korey McMahon dominated their classes on both days in the E1 and E3 ranks, securing double victories on debut with KTM.

Team owner/rider Milner was put to the test on Saturday, finishing the first round of the season in second place in the E2 division and second in Pro Enduro on his KTM 450 XC-F. But Sunday – again featuring the fast-paced Sprint format – was a new day for the multi-time champion, who bounced back to secure his first victory of the year by 3.5 seconds ahead of the chasing pack.

Daniel Milner: “First weekend of the newly-branded Australian Enduro Championship done! Saturday was pretty good, we finished second in class and second outright – Wil Ruprecht was riding really well and making me work for it, that’s for sure. I think it was eight-seconds that he put on me at the end of the day, so it’s good to have that competition back. Day two went unreal, we went 1-1-1 in all of our classes with Jonte and Korey. We did our job and did what we needed to do, so I’m absolutely stoked. My day was good, I just rode smooth and consistent and tried to minimise mistakes. We got first outright and first in class. My team is tough as nails honestly. Leading into this round, Jonte had a broken foot and Korey an ACL injury, so it’s quite impressive to see the results they’ve achieved.”

In the E1 class, KTM DM31 Racing Team newcomer Reynders – despite only undergoing surgery on a foot injury a fortnight ago – impressed in his first appearance with the team, racing his KTM 250 XC-F to victories on both days in Kempsey, which saw him finish P5 in Saturday’s Pro Enduro rankings and P6 on Sunday to complete a solid first outing together.

Jonte Reynders: “Rounds 1 and 2 of AUS Enduro are all wrapped up here in Kempsey. Saturday was pretty good, I had an injury two weeks ago and had to get two plates and 11 screws put in my foot, so to even rock up and race is an achievement in itself. We are pumped, we didn’t think we’d be here two weeks ago, so to go 1-1 both days and then a clean-sweep with the boys today, I can’t thank the KTM DM31 Racing Team and all the sponsors behind us enough.”

Equipped with the KTM 500 EXC-F for 2025, Korey McMahon didn’t take long to adjust to his new team and new role in the E3 category, topping his class timesheets on both days in Kempsey to secure back-to-back round victories, as well as P6 in Pro Enduro on Saturday and P5 on Sunday. Also recovering from injury, it was a rewarding start to the new series for McMahon.

Korey McMahon: “Day one was a tough day. I’ve been battling an injury from a couple of weeks ago, but in the end it was good to get the class win and sixth outright. Today was better though, it was a learning curve for me all weekend long being my first race on the KTM 500 EXC-F, so I’m feeling really comfortable on the bike and I’m happy with where I’m at. The outright results aren’t where we want to be, but as a team we’re moving forward and gelling really good. I’m grateful to be a part of this group with the mentors that we have, so now it’s time to get a bit more recovery before the next round.”

Next Race: April 5-6 – Rawson, Victoria

2025 Australian Enduro Championship – Kempsey, NSW

Round 1 Results:
Pro Enduro Outright
1. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
2. Daniel Milner (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
3. Will Dennett (Yamaha)
5. Jonte Reynders (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
6. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)

E1 Class
1. Jonte Reynders (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha)
3. Jett Yarnold (Yamaha)

E2 Class
1. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
2. Daniel Milner (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
3. Will Dennett (Yamaha)

E3 Class
1. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Jye Dickson (Beta)
3. Riley McGillivray (Husqvarna)

Round 2 Results:
Pro Enduro Outright
1. Daniel Milner (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
3. Andrew Wilksch (Beta)
4. Will Dennett (Yamaha)
5. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
6. Jonte Reynders (KTM DM31 Racing Team)

E1 Class
1. Jonte Reynders (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Cooper Sheidow (Yamaha)
3. Fraser Higlett (Yamaha)

E2 Class
1. Daniel Milner (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Wil Ruprecht (Yamaha)
3. Andrew Wilksch (Beta)

E3 Class
1. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Jye Dickson (Beta)
3. Riley McGillivray (Husqvarna)