Sherco Australia press release:

Rounds 9 and 10 of the Australian Off-Road Championship held near Dungog, NSW last weekend proved that hard work pays off for Wil Ruprecht. The Under-19 Class series points’ leader was comfortably leading the three-hour cross country race on Saturday when the unthinkable happened.

“I’m not sure how it happened but I broke the chain,” explained Ruprecht after the race. “I was able to reach the pits and grab a new chain and I got going again but I was only able to salvage a few points. It’s just one of those things. I must have picked up a rock or something because we use the best chains out there.”

Sunday brought better fortune and Ruprecht was able to storm home to a 1-minute and 17-second win at round 10. Ruprecht had his Sherco 450SEF-R flying and cemented his name at the top of the Championship points with just two rounds remaining.

“Wil is riding great,” explained Motul Pirelli Sherco Factory Team coordinator Dave Suter. “Saturday’s race was tough for Wil but he conducted himself like a true champion. He did his best and got going again to get the best result possible. Then Sunday he proved why he’s the class points’ leader with another great win.”

Despite Saturday’s unfortunate result, Ruprecht now sits 18 points clear of second place in the Under-19 Class. There are just two rounds of the Championship remaining which will be raced over the Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11 at Penshurst, Victoria.

“The final weekend of racing is set to be a corker,” Suter continued. “Wil is riding the 450SEF-R so well. The Penshurst event sounds like it’ll be a great track so we’re confident of another strong result for the Team.”

Ruprecht’s Motul Pirelli Sherco Factory team-mate Justin Carafa is expected to be back on the start line for the final two rounds of AORC racing after reinjuring his troublesome thumb at round 7 in July that kept him sidelined this past weekend.

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
Ends