The highly anticipated Moto Expo Australian Motorcycle Finance Head2Head endurocross presented by Yamaha brought a new element of endurocross to Melbourne race fans. Run in conjunction with the Moto Expo organisers were able to attract a large crowd such was the excitement generated by 2 riders at a time racing over the demanding man made course.
Prior to the event, organisers were able to announce that Australia’s top enduro rider, Daniel Milner, together with Current Australian endurocross champion Chris Hollis, all time Australian off road legend Ben Grabham; and top line motocross rider Tye Simmonds would line up for the event. Peter Boyle, Jack Field and a host of top line enduro riders were invited in to cap the number of riders at 20
In a unique brand of competition, riders competed 2 at a time on a smaller endurocross track incorporating all the standard endurocross obstacles, logs, rocks, tyres, and sand
Day one racing on Saturday saw 20 riders compete in 2 heats and the final 8 riders going into the head2 head finals. Tye Simmonds made his presence felt early with his forceful riding and was met in the final by Australian enduro champion Daniel Milner. A large crowd witnessed the final and as the two riders left the start gates Tye Simmonds discovered his new found love of extreme enduro and cruised to an easy win after Milner went over the bars in the first log matrix. Milner gallantly finished the race in pain; such was his commitment to the fans. But the win and the day belonged to Simmonds, who was ecstatic to take home the winners $1,000 cheque, but more importantly announce to the enduro world that he will competing all events in 2015
Day two racing on Sunday saw the twenty riders compete through qualifying and match racing to arrive at a different set of riders meeting in the final head2head. Trials rider Dylan Rees rode consistently and without fault to be the surprise qualifier beating high profile riders along the way who could not match his smooth and experienced riding style. Meeting Dylan in the final would be non-other than Mr Endurocross Peter Boyle, back on the Penrite Honda. If spectators thought Boyle would take the final over Rees in a one sided affair, then the next 5 minutes had the crowd screaming for more. As both riders left the start gates the experienced Dylan Reece got the jump on Boyle and slowly pulled away and by the third lap had a 20 metre gap and was heading for a heroic win. With Boyle gaining ground, Rees washed out his front wheel losing sufficient time for Boyle to meet him on the last corner for a clash that would determine the result. Boyle’s motocross experience got him through when the riders clashed together as he then went on to cross the finish line one second ahead on the gallant Dylan Rees. Boyles win gaining him $1,000 and also announcing to the crowd that he wants his endurocross crown back in 2015.
The endurocross head2head concept proved to be a winner for the riders, the spectators and the organisers. Event organiser Dave Robbins said after the event, “the head2head match racing concept was a winner with the riders and the spectators loved the close racing. It was a great prelude to our enduro-x national’s series coming up in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne on February 2015 and we have formed a great partnership with Troy Bayliss Events to expand on this event.”
