Image: Foremost Media.

Following 12 attempts, local Alice Springs hero David Walsh has earned his maiden Tatts Finke Desert Race title at the 2019 edition in the Northern Territory.

The North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team contender rode commandingly all weekend, topping prologue before entering Finke fastest, while today he returned to Alice Springs first with a total time of 3h56m1s.

An amazing ride from Schwarz Husqvarna Desert Team’s Jacob Smith saw him take out runner-up honours, just under five minutes behind champion Walsh, while the podium was completed by teammate Beau Ralston (Schwarz Husqvarna Desert Team) in a commendable third.

Penrite Honda Racing’s Jack Simpson overcame fuel-stop confusion on day one to ultimately wind up fourth, while Callum Norton (North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team), who endured a heavy crash just kilometres outside of Finke, gritted his way to fifth in an incredible display of determination.

The top 10 was rounded out by Sam Davie (Schwarz Husqvarna Desert Team), Lachlan Terry (KTM), Mark Grove (Penrite Honda Racing), Thomas Jones (KTM) and Nicholas Waters (KTM).

Detailed results