The Motul Sherco Hard Enduro team showcased their prowess once again at the second round of the 2024 Australian Hard Enduro Championship, held in Wattle Flat, NSW. Led by the indomitable Anthony Solar, the team delivered a formidable performance amidst the challenging conditions and fierce competition at the Goldfields Extreme.
Saturday’s 45-minute cross-country prologue race witnessed Solar’s dominance as he blazed through the course, leaving his championship rival Ruben Chadwick trailing by over a minute. Solar’s surgeon-like precision and exceptional skills were on full display as he set a scorching best lap time of 11:34.96, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. Teammate Chris Perry also showcased his mettle, battling fiercely to secure a commendable 4th place finish, narrowly missing out on the podium.
As Sunday’s main race unfurled, Solar wasted no time asserting his authority, quickly building a 90-second lead over Chadwick in the treacherous and unforgiving conditions. The duo engaged in a relentless battle for supremacy, exchanging positions at a frenetic pace. However, a late-race mishap saw Solar relinquish the lead, conceding precious time to Chadwick and ultimately settling for a hard-fought second-place finish.
“It certainly wasn’t an easy day out there, probably one of the most intense races I’ve ever been in. Ruben and I swapped positions so many times it felt like at least a dozen lead changes. Unfortunately, I lost the front in a tricky off-cambered section and lost quite a bit of time to Ruben, at least 10 minutes. I managed to reel him in but ran out of time to snatch the win. It could have easily gone either way, but today wasn’t my day. I can’t thank the team and sponsors enough; the Sherco 300 SE Factory was solid all weekend. Looking forward to the next round at a new venue should be exciting!” Solar concluded.
With the Goldfields Extreme event behind them, the Motul Sherco Hard Enduro team eagerly looks forward to the next challenge. They are now preparing for the newly added ‘Dog & Bone Extreme’ event in Sandy Hill, just outside the stunning town of Tenterfield, NSW, scheduled for June 29-30.
