It was a strong finish to Gillman’s 2019 Australian Junior Motocross Championship in South Australia for Husqvarna supported riders.
Joe O’Donnell, Kobe Drew, Braden Plath and Heath Fisher, as the team of riders pushed through a demanding week of racing.
Coming off an injury, O’Donnell (Chris Watson Motorcycles) put in a spirited ride across the six days of competition, earning a ranking of 15th in Junior Lites 15 Years class and 13th in the 125cc 15 Years category.
Drew (MPE) put in an incredible effort racing three classes, earning 14th overall in 125cc 13-U15 Years, ninth in Junior Lites 13-U15 Years and ninth in Mini Lites 12-U14 Years.
Plath (JR’s Motorcycles) finished just shy of the championship podium in the Mini Lites BW 12-U14 Years class in fourth position, while he also finished 25th in the 125cc 13-U15 Years standings, racing aboard a modified TC 85. The 2018 65cc world champion rode strongly as one of the youngest riders in both divisions.
Heath Fisher (JR’s Motorcycles) was seventh in the Mini Lites SW 9-U12 Years class and fourth in 65cc 10-U12 Years division, earning a race podium in the final days.
Nathan Crawford – Junior Team Coordinator, Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia: “The boys put in 100 per cent the whole week, but the start was really critical, going U-turn to U-turn – our starts weren’t the best and we suffered for it. Kobe raced three classes and was in the top 10 in all of them, while for Braden, he put in a big effort for his first year in the older age group 85 class and also in the 125 class. Joe has had four months off with an injury, which didn’t help, and Heath scored a couple of podiums throughout the week.”
Joe O’Donnell – Husqvarna FC 250/Husqvarna TC 125: “It was a good week, but I didn’t come in with a lot of preparation after sitting out most of the year with an injury. I came good towards the end and, while it’s not where I wanted to be, I made some good progress.”
Kobe Drew – Husqvarna FC 250/Husqvarna TC 125/Husqvarna TC 85: “The week started off good and I was one of the top qualifiers in all my classes, but I struggled with my starts in the finals. It was very challenging riding three classes, but I’m happy with how I rode.”
Braden Plath – Husqvarna TC 85: “It was my first year on the big-wheel 85, and we also built a Supermini, so I went up into the 125 class – I was the youngest in both. It was really challenging, but now I know what I’m up against for the next few years. I had a few ups and downs, so on the 85 I didn’t think I’d be able to get on the podium, but I was just one step away.”
Heath Fisher – Husqvarna TC 85/Husqvarna TC 65: “It feels good to ride two bikes – I was able to look at the track on the 85 and, on the 65, which is my main bike, I was able to go for it. I’m happy and proud with how I went, especially getting a race podium on the 65.”