The KTM450 EXC-F rider extended his runaway lead in both the super-competitive E2 class and the unofficial – yet highly coveted – outright classification.
“The tracks here were difficult, they got real deep with bulldust, so it made for real difficult conditions and it was a struggle, but I did some pretty clean laps yesterday and got myself a decent lead,” said Milner.
“Today I went down in the first test and lost a bit of time, then in the next test I backed off too much and then I put my head down and went from then on and ended up getting a lot more time up and getting the win for the day. The bike was unreal – I worked with my mechanic Mick to get it pretty much where we wanted it. At this stage, the championship is looking good, I haven’t lost a round yet, touch wood, so we’ll keep pushing, take every race as it comes, and see how we end up at the end of the season.”
However, his biggest threat came from his teenage team-mate Lyndon Snodgrass, who throttled his KTM 300 EXC to second overall on both days, and regained a share of the lead in the E3 class.
“It feels pretty good to bounce back with two second places and two class wins after the last round. It feels pretty good. I can’t even say the conditions suited me – we’ve just been working hard towards this, it’s the result we’ve been aiming form,” said Snodgrass.
“So it’s good to see that hard work show, and to finish on the top of the podium. It was a tough battle, that’s for sure. Milner was definitely showing us how it’s done, and it was a hard-fought battle between me and Riley Graham, so it was good to come out on top of that with second outright both days. I think I have a share of the E3 lead.”
A potentially brilliant track design became distinctly hazardous after inadequate rain combined with a horde of highly potent race bikes, and the thick, hanging dust made it impossible for most competitors to race to their highest level.
Despite this, Milner won Saturday’s “Super Sprint” – which was held after the scheduled Cross Country had been deemed too dangerous to hold – ahead of Snodgrass and Riley Graham.
Milner had his only hiccups during today’s shortened sprint round when he fell in the second and then rode a tad too conservatively in the third, getting bumped momentarily to second before regrouping to win the round over Snodgrass and Graham.
Defending E1 Champion Jack Simpson sat out the round, having not yet recovered from the injuries he suffered in preparation for the Finke Desert Race, and is in doubt for the Hattah Desert Race in a fortnight’s time.
Glenn Kearney – KTM Enduro Racing Team Manager: “It couldn’t have gone any better for us, this is unreal. This takes the pain away from missing out on Finke a little bit – Mick and I were talking about this, and that’s racing. It’s ups and downs. Without everyone working together, this doesn’t happen. It’s been a tough period, but we’re getting the job done, and having a good time along the way. Milner is so consistent in conditions that were just putrid. It was dangerous and everyone was up and down on times all day. He’s in that winning range the whole time and he never really varies. He’s so safe. From Lyndon’s angle, I’m just so stoked for the kid. He’s so committed with his effort, and he’s not far off challenging for the outright lead. He listens to what advice we have and he’s pretty switched on. The pressure that he had on both days with Riley Graham – the win was 1.1 second yesterday and 2.3 today. He was feeling the pressure and he didn’t crumble under it. He showed the level of maturity of a much older rider. I see a big future for him. The consistency and the race maturity usually takes the time to get, but he certainly seems to be picking it up pretty quick.”
SATURDAY Overfall
1 Daniel Milner 43:46.913
2 Lyndon Snodgrass 44:25.857
3 Riley Graham 44:27.154
4 Josh Green 44:45.104
5 Lachlan Stanford 45:37.715
6 Fraser Higlett 45:44.372
7 Michael Driscoll 46:03.396
8 Stefan Granquist 46:06.157
9 Nic Tomlinson 46:07.664
10 Broc Grabham 46:07.781
SUNDAY Overall
1 Milner Daniel 34:59.550
2 Lyndon Snodgrass 35:12.698
3 Riley Graham 35:14.966
4 Lachlan Stanford 35:45.396
5 Josh Green 35:56.460
6 Andrew Wilksch 36:43.038
7 Fraser Higlett 36:45.036
8 Stefan Granquist 36:48.594
9 Nic Tomlinson 36:50.394
10 Wil Ruprecht 36:55.387
