Daniel Milner will be a favourite ahead of the 2012 Yamaha WR450F A4DE in October.

Australasia’s fastest enduro riders and several overseas stars will soon invade the Gippsland region in Victoria for the second largest dirt bike enduro event on the planet.

From 24-27 October, about 350 racers and hundreds of crew and fans will gather at Warragul for the 34th annual Yamaha WR450F Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE).

The A4DE is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious enduro motorcycle events and contributes an estimated $5-million annually to the economy of the host area.

Trail sections and special tests are set to be some of the most memorable in A4DE history, and will utilise parts of the most popular trail from the previous four-days that were held at the town; in 2004 and 2008.

Parc Ferme – or the staging area for the race – will again be held at the fantastic venue of the Buln Buln football oval, located just outside of town on Old Sale Road.

Chair of the 2012 Yamaha WR450F A4DE committee and president of the Victorian Off-Road Committee, Chris Gray, said they were very excited to have Yamaha on board for the event.

“Yamaha have always been huge supporters of enduro and of the A4DE,” he said. “We are thrilled for them to again be the naming rights sponsor of this iconic race and very pleased for it to now be associated with the all-new WR450F – a great bike and the choice of so many off-roaders in this country.”

Gray said the region had received a considerable amount of rain, so conditions should be perfect.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into the track,” he said. “Riders will be facing six to seven special tests each day, with nine separate tests in total.

“The course will consist of 275 kilometres on day one, 250 kilometres on day two, 268 kilometres on day three and 85 kilometres and the final moto on day four.

“There will be 80 percent one way trail, with no loops. Riders will be treated with four new, hand cut tests, two grass tests and three old faithful technical tests. We will again put on a grass track test every morning on the way out.

“In addition, this year we are introducing a prologue test on the Tuesday before kick-off, to sort out the starting order for day one. We will also have a timed special test on day on the final moto track.”

Gray said the conditions should be ideal, with no dust.

“The track has a bit of everything,” he said. “It’s all do-able for the normal trial rider, but it will still be challenging and varied enough for the fast guys.

“We have three highly technical tests on the sides of hills with big logs across the track. These technical tests will likely suit riders like Stefan Merriman, where as the grass tracks will suit the motocross guys, like Toby Price.”

Local rider Daniel Milner is determined to add an Australian enduro championship to his recently achieved Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship E1 Class crown.

The 20-year-old, who rides for the Ballard’s Yamaha Park and Fly Off-Road Team, will contest the class aboard his YZ250F.

“I’ll definitely be trying for another E1 title at the four-day, and hopefully the Outright,” Milner said. “I’ll have home ground advantage, which I’m really looking forward to — I can’t wait for the four-day!”