Jessica Gardiner took two round wins at Corner Inlet to move into the Womens class points lead of the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship. Image: Geoff Ballard.

The Ballard’s Motorex Offroad team of Jess Gardiner and Geoff Ballard showed no signs of slowing down as they again swept their respective classes on both days of Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship competition at Corner Inlet.

Momentum from podium finishes in Europe and the US was maintained despite a series of long-haul flights home to contest rounds five and six of the 12-round championship.

Gardiner, who was present on the Enduro World Championship (EWC) podium in Spain and Portugal, arrived just a day prior to proceedings but was up to the task and set the pace in Saturday’s cross-country format.

She completed a perfect weekend by cleaning up in sprint mode, taking her round win tally to three and moving into the points lead of the Womens class.

“It was nice to be on home soil after the EWC,” said Gardiner. “I was a bit worried about jet-lag but once I got on the bike I settled in and focused on putting the Sherco on the podium.

“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind and I’m overwhelmed with the support and generosity that I’ve been shown both in Australia and in Europe. I can’t thank my sponsors, family and friends enough.”

Ballard scored his fourth round win and second clean-sweep of the season shortly after returning home from a Masters competition in the United States.

A move to Husaberg machinery paid dividends for Ballard who was over four minutes clear of his closest competition in the cross-country format.

Despite missing the Goomburra rounds of the AORC, Ballard still holds down a respectable fourth in the AORC’s Masters class which he has been the dominant force in for so many seasons.

“I had a ball racing – the 350 is now my favourite ride – it put me on the podium in the US and now here,” said Ballard.

“The track and conditions made for an awesome weekend of racing. In a nutshell I’m having loads of fun! Not sure where I’ll be racing next but my priority is just to get out there and enjoy my racing.”

The AORC continues at Coonawarra in South Australia on 29-30 June.