Yamaha Racing has wrapped up a sensational 2026 Australian Enduro Championship campaign, claiming seven national titles, headlined by Wil Ruprecht taking the coveted Pro Enduro crown.
After a huge final weekend of racing in tough and challenging conditions, Yamaha riders and teams went home with the number-one plate in Pro Enduro, E1, E2, EW, J4, Junior Girls and J1, along with several championship podium finishes.
RUPRECHT DOES THE DOUBLE
Ruprecht led the way, securing the E2 championship on Saturday before completing the weekend double by claiming the Pro Enduro title.
The ShopYamaha Off Road rider had controlled both championships from the opening round, building a 48-point advantage in E2 and a 19-point lead in Pro Enduro heading into the final weekend.
The E2 title was all but secured, with Ruprecht needing little more than a finish on Saturday. He went on to win the class, but the Pro Enduro championship proved far more complicated.
Ruprecht finished fifth in Pro Enduro on Saturday, reducing his championship lead to just 10 points. The three-hour cross-country was a gruelling affair with a Hattah-style feel, and the sandy surface wasn’t exactly Ruprecht’s preferred terrain.
Sunday promised another battle with series rival Korey McMahon, but the championship changed dramatically when McMahon crashed heavily early in the first test and was unable to continue.
With the pressure lifted, Ruprecht rode a smart and conservative day to safely bring home the Pro Enduro championship and the AusEnduro number-one plate.
“Firstly, I hope Korey is OK and congratulations to him on a great season. He was riding well this weekend and unfortunately went down in the first test, so it’s not the way I wanted to win it, and I hope he is doing OK,” Ruprecht said.
“For me, it certainly wasn’t my best weekend in terms of riding, as Saturday was a real fight to get any flow in my riding and I used a lot of energy. But I got up Sunday and was ready to go, as Korey was always going to be fast.
“Once he was out of racing, there was no point doing anything silly, so I rode at a comfortable pace and worked my way through the day.
“My goal at the start of the year was to win both classes, and it feels good to make that a reality. The team have done an enormous amount of work and supported me well throughout the season, and thanks to them for showing up and putting in 100 per cent every week. It’s been a while since I have won an Australian Championship, so we will enjoy this one.”
SHEIDOW MAKES IT TWO E1 TITLES
Cooper Sheidow locked down the E1 championship after another strong showing on the weekend.
The South Australian entered the final round with a 29-point advantage but wasn’t about to ease off with friends and family there to watch him race. Sheidow won both days and finished the season with seven E1 victories from 11 rounds, never finishing off the class podium.
“I won the E1 class championship a few years ago and that year I wasn’t able to win a round, but I was consistent. This year, I was consistent again, but more importantly, I was able to win rounds and even on my bad days, I kept it on the podium, so it’s been a great season for me.
“It was nice to put a couple of injury-interrupted seasons behind me and get through the year without missing a race and build on my speed and fitness. My parents have been awesome and put so much effort into my racing.”
GARDINER CLAIMS NUMBER 10
Jess Gardiner added another milestone to her remarkable career, claiming her 10th Australian Enduro Championship in the Women’s class.
The championship battle had plenty of depth for the final weekend, with Rachael Archer and Emma Milesevic returning to competition while Gardiner and Madi Simpson battled for the title.
Gardiner endured a difficult Saturday, crashing heavily in the sand and dealing with bike issues to finish fourth for the round. She bounced back on Sunday to finish second and secure the championship.
“The women’s class had extra depth this weekend with Rachael Archer and Emma Milesevic both back and Madi Simpson and I battling for the championship, so I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy weekend.
“And it certainly didn’t go the way I envisaged before the weekend. I got super loose in the sand on Saturday and crashed heavily, had some bike issues and was feeling pretty sore when racing ended, but everyone put in a big effort Saturday night and we were able to finish strongly and get the round win and championship number 10 on Sunday.
“I’m relieved and pumped all at the same time.”
HUTTON KEEPS HIS COOL
Harley Hutton has made huge gains throughout 2026 and capped his season with the J4 championship.
Hutton’s final weekend didn’t start smoothly. He blasted into the lead of Saturday’s two-hour Junior Cross-Country, opening a 12-second advantage on the first lap before crashing heavily, damaging his bike and ending up with blood streaming from his nose.
He kept his composure, made repairs in the pits and worked his way back into contention to finish on the J4 podium and secure the championship with a round to spare.
He then won Sunday to finish the championship 46 points clear.
“I was pretty nervous on Saturday morning as the last time I was in the position, I didn’t do well and lost the title. I didn’t want that to happen again.
“I got off to a great start in the Cross-Country and was feeling good, but on lap two I crashed and must have hit my face on something, as I could feel and taste blood. That wasn’t bothering me too much, but the bike was twisted and the levers were all over the place, but I was able to get back to the pit area, get it as straight as I could and get back up to a reasonable speed.
“It’s been a good year for me, and this weekend I was able to show myself that I could handle the pressure and get it done when it matters. My Mum and Dad have been so supportive, and thanks to Yamaha Junior Racing for helping me throughout my junior racing. It’s time to go senior and race Under 19s next year.”
TWO JUNIOR STARS TO WATCH
At just 13 years old, Lorna Lock continues to look like one of Australian off-road racing’s rising talents.
Lock dominated the Junior Girls class throughout 2026, winning all 11 rounds on her YZ85 despite competing against higher-powered machinery. She now looks set to make the move to a YZ125 in 2027.
Victorian Clancy Stewart was equally impressive in J1, winning every round of the championship on his Peter Stevens YZ85.
ShopYamaha Off Road Manager AJ Roberts said the seven championships were a fitting reward for the riders, teams and families involved.
“It’s been a very successful year for Yamaha at this year’s Australian Enduro Championships and one that we will remember for some time,” Roberts said.
“The year has produced some great racing in a massive variety of terrain and conditions, and securing so many national titles was a good reward for the effort the riders and teams have put in.
“Congratulations to all our riders and the families, and well done on a great year.”
YAMAHA OFF ROAD CHAMPIONS – 2026
Pro Enduro: Wil Ruprecht
E1: Cooper Sheidow
E2: Wil Ruprecht
EW: Jess Gardiner
J4: Harley Hutton
Junior Girls: Lorna Lock
J1: Clancy Stewart
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