Image: Foremost Media.

ShopYamaha’s Kyron Bacon was the big winner in the 2022 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) opener at Cherrabah, topping E1 and setting the pace outright, as Josh Green won E2 and Andy Wilksch E3.

Bacon starred to commence the new season on Saturday by winning E1 on his WR250F – quickest of all categories – joined on the class podium by Korey McMahon (GasGas) and Jeremy Carpentier (JGR Yamaha).

Teammate Green emerged on top of the E2 rankings from another ShopYamaha rider in Michael Driscoll, with Todd Waters (Husqvarna) completing the podium finishers.

E3 marked the return of Wilksch to AORC following a year in Europe, powering his Husqvarna to P1 over Jonte Reynders (Sherco) and Stefan Granquist, who was on debut in his new deal with KTM.

The Women’s class belonged to JGR Yamaha’s Jess Gardiner, leading Ebony Nielsen and KTM signing Emelie Karlsson, while Billy Hargy rode his Husqvarna to the EJ win ahead of Riley McGillivray and William Dennett.

Round two of the year will take place on Sunday, again at the Cherrabah venue and once again a Sprint format to set the tone for this season ahead.

Detailed results