Image: Foremost Media.

Multi-time Australian and world champion Jess Gardiner will receive added Yamaha support for the Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off-Road team for 2022, extending her partnership with the brand for the upcoming season.

The Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off-Road team will compete in the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and Hattah Desert Race, along with hosting a range of coaching and dirt bike camp events.

Gardiner enters 2022 looking to defend her Women’s AORC crown. With last year’s off-road racing calendar heavily reduced by the pandemic, she is eager to start racing and explore this extended partnership with Yamaha.

“We are honoured to have closer ties with Yamaha Australia and to work with them in a racing and lifestyle role,” Gardiner commented. “We started talking about this some time ago and together we have worked on a plan that both the racing and the coaching sides of our business will be developed and excited that Yamaha Australia share our vision.

“We are also glad to have increased support from Yamaha via Yamalube and GYTR. This now sees us fully aligned with Yamaha’s products and we are proud to represent them in racing, coaching and dealer engagements.”

Long-time E2 rider Jeremy Carpentier will continue with the squad, this year moving to the E1 category on WR250F machinery. Carpentier will also share his experience alongside Gardiner in a coaching role.

Representing the team as a junior rider is 14-year-old Danielle McDonald, who will contest all AORC rounds as well as selected motocross events onboard a YZ125.

“It’s not long until the 2022 season gets underway and we are all ready to go,” added Gardiner. “We only had one round last year due to covid – it’s been far too long between national AORC events. Danielle and Jeremy are both riding as well as ever and both have added motivation with Jeremy going to E1 and Danielle riding the new YZ125, so I believe we are in for a great year.”

The opening weekend of the AORC season takes place this weekend between 19-20 March at Cherrabah, Queensland, marking rounds one and two of the 12-round series.