Dirt Bike Promotions press release:

More than 300 dirt bike racers are poised and ready for tomorrow’s kick-off of this year’s Hog’s Breath Cafe Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) at Orange, NSW.

Motorcycles have been scruitneered and impounded, riders have pre-walked the three, timed special tests they will race in the coming days and organisers have applied the finishing touches to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Battle lines were drawn at last night’s Rider Meet and Greet, with Australia’s top three off-roaders: Chris Hollis (Husqvarna), Anthony Roberts (Honda) and Jarrod Bewley (Yamaha), as well as Central West gun Ben Grabham (KTM), making their intensions clear.

Organisers, Phil Sargent (Dirt Bike Promotions) and Lyndon Heffernan (Detour Events) are predicting a “close event”.

“There are at least six or seven guys who could win and I wouldn’t be surprised,” Sargent said.

“With four-time World Enduro Champion, Stefan Merriman, out of the race due to injury, I think it’s really opened it up.

“Chris Hollis won the event last year and is going well this year, but the other guys are too so I think it’s going to be a very exciting week and we can’t wait until it all gets under way tomorrow.”

Orange’s tumultuous weather has granted what should be ideal conditions for the event, with a few days of solid rain clearing to sunny (yet windy) conditions today and mostly sunny conditions expected for the rest of the week.

Husqvarna’s Chris Hollis said he reckons the race will be “very interesting” and, similar to his rivals, will be aiming for a win.

“I’m all ready and my bike’s prepped. I’ve got the new team behind me and everything’s looking really good at the moment,” Hollis said.

“Mentally it’s different for me this year, I won last year, where I didn’t before, so everyone’s got the expectation that I should win again.

“But there’s a lot of good competition out there and it will definitely be a tough one.”

The A4DE consists of three days of grueling trail and six special test phases a day, equaling a total of about 30 hours and more than 1000kms on the machine. Riders must also complete the Jayco Final Motocross Event on day four.

In the 2009 A4DE riders of all skill levels – from Clubman to Pro male and female – from every Australian state (including Tasmania) and New Zealand will be vying for class and Outright honours.

There is also a state-versus-state element to the event, with the top riders from each state competing on Junior and Senior Trophy Teams. New South Wales took out the top gong last year for Seniors and Victoria for Juniors.

‘Parc Ferme’ (the staging area for riders and crews) is located at Orange’s Warratah Sport’s Oval.

The final motocross for the event will be held on Sunday (April 19th) at the Australian National Field Day Site – Borenore.

For more information visit the official A4DE website: www.a4de.com.