Image: Russell Colvin.

Words: Russell Colvin.

South African rider Wade Young (Sherco) conquered the weekend’s eighth running of the iconic Husqvarna Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro in Victoria, leaving his rivals in his wake.

Young, who finished second to Spaniard Pol Tarres (Beta) in Prologue, got off to a smooth start and settled into a rhythm as quick as he could. By lap three Young took command of the four-hour gruelling event and marched onto victory, beating Tarres by a healthy 27m12.495s.

Just like Young, this was also the first time Tarres competed at the Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro. The Barcelona-based rider got off to a flying start leading for the opening two laps of the race, before dropping to second.

Rounding out the top three was New Zealander Hamish MacDonald (Sherco), who in his second attempt at the event, guided his Sherco 300 SE-R through to third place with a total time of 4h32m13.358s. Finishing in fourth was last year’s race winner Mitch Harper (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team), while his teammate Broc Grabham (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) completed the top five.

Other class winners included Emma Broadbent (Womens), Gas Gas Motorcycles Australia rider Jade Gartlan (Expert Over 35), Sam Willison (Clubman), Nathan Mawson (Clubman Over 35) and Neil Foster (Expert).