Sherco Australia press release:

Sherco’s leading lady, Jess Gardiner, endured a punishing schedule just to reach the start line of the Australian Off-Road Championship in South Australia last weekend, then she hammered her way onto the podium.

Arriving back in Australia at 5.00am Friday morning after Enduro World Championship racing duties in Europe, Gardiner then made the drive from Sydney to Wanbi, South Australia for rounds five and six of the AORC. The travel alone would be enough to warrant mere mortals a holiday but not Gardiner.

Jess took on the cross country for round five on Saturday and charged to the finish line in second place on a brutal sand track that had already been the battle ground for the Junior and Pro class riders. The ladies definitely drew the short draw at this round. ”The track was a lot faster than I expected but I had fun and I do like riding in sand,” Gardiner said after the race.

”The race was cut short which was a shame but it was still tough, especially as we were the last race of the day. It was very rough. My bike went great all weekend. It was a fresh 300SEF-R and ran great. I felt good. I’m in good physical condition at the moment.” Sunday delivered an enduro-sprint format for round six where Gardiner again claimed second in class.

”Sunday’s sprint was more open and had been graded and smoothed off at the start but it chopped out quickly,” said Jess. ”I love sand and being able to hold on the throttle and lay the bike over, it’s so much fun. We don’t often get conditions like that in off-road racing.”

Gardiner’s next race event will be rounds seven and eight of the AORC in Queensland on June 20 before immediately flying back to Europe for the third installment of Enduro World Championship racing in Belgium. Gardiner currently holds second place in the AORC points chase with six rounds remaining.

For more information on Sherco Australia, visit www.sherco.com.au or to follow the progress of the Motul Pirelli Sherco Enduro Team, visit www.facebook.com/shercomotorcyclesaustralia