Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis and Daniel Milner finished the 2016 Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) in formation, taking second and third outright, in a hard fought battle with eventual winner, international rider Mathias Bellino, after competition wrapped up yesterday in Mansfield, Victoria.

Hollis, who announced his retirement on the eve of the final day of racing, wound back the clock and turned on a performance on the final day that will long be remember in off road racing. Hollis stunned everyone when he leapt out front on his WR450F in the final moto and charged away like a rider half his age.

He never let up on his competition and took the win in the final moto and jumped himself from third to second in the final standings, leap frogging his close friend, Daniel Milner.

It was an outstanding week of racing by the 32 year old racer who clearly showed he can still mix it with the best riders in the world.

“I wanted to finish my career on a high and my goal was to finish in the top three so to be able to achieve that in an event like this is a good feeling,” Hollis explains. “The dust was pretty bad in the final moto so I knew a good start was important and I was able to get to the lead pretty quickly and just so my own thing.

“It’s been an awesome week and so many people have come up to me and wished me well for the future so it’s been a real special way to end my career.

“Thank you to the event organisers for a great four day and to the CDR Yamaha team and our sponsors who are the best in the business. I also want to send out a get well to Tom McCormack who crashed on early in the week, hope he is back to full fitness soon,” Hollis bows out.

It was a roller coaster week for Daniel Milner who returned to Australia for the event. The four time winner was looking for five in a row when he took the lead after day one but then he made some mistakes during day two and slipped back a position. He battled hard on day three to close the gap down to just six seconds entering the final day but things didn’t go his way in the final moto and he fell to third place in the outright standings.

“Overall, the first three days were pretty good and I put myself in a position to win this year but it wasn’t to be. I fell in the final moto and the dust was pretty bad making it difficult to pass and I just didn’t get it done.

“I have no excuses and I congratulate Mathias and Chris on a great week of racing. All of us were pretty close and they were both riding well. I wanted to make it five in a row but I didn’t so I will be back next year to start a new streak,” Milner said.

As mentioned, Tom McCormack took a heavy fall and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital after a severe concussion and some internal issues. Tom remains in Hospital at the moment and updates will be available when they come to hand.

“As a team manager, it has been a hard week emotionally,” says Craig Dack. “Tom’s injury is shattering and we are heartbroken for him and his family. Then to have Daniel in the lead and slip away at the end, Chris to announce his retirement and then ride like a demon and then finish with a team 2-3, it has been a real rollercoaster.

“First up, we wish Tom a quick recovery and hope to see him fit and healthy again ASAP.

“It was great to have Daniel back with us for this event as we have a great relationship with him. It was shame to see the final moto slip away from him but he is a warrior and it will only fuel more determination in him.

“And I really want to congratulate Chris on a sensational career and to finish on such a strong note. It has been our pleasure to work with Chris over the past few seasons and he has been the ultimate professional to deal with and his career will have a long last legacy in off road racing. We wish him well in the future and know he will be successful in his next endeavor,” Dack ends.

To follow the CDR Yamaha team on social media: www.facebook.com/cdryamaha or @cdr_yamaha on Instagram