KTM DM31 Racing Team celebrated a standout performance at the 2026 Hattah Desert Race, with Korey McMahon delivering a flawless weekend to successfully defend his crown and lead the team to back-to-back victories at the iconic Victorian event.
McMahon was untouchable aboard his KTM 500 EXC-F throughout the weekend, setting the pace from the outset by topping the prologue before backing it up with victory in the Top 10 Shootout – and making his intentions clear early on.
The New South Welshman then completed the clean sweep in Sunday’s main race, leading from the front of the pack to secure his second consecutive Hattah Desert Race victory with the KTM DM31 Racing Team in dominant fashion.
Korey McMahon: “Back-to-back wins here at Hattah, it was a perfect weekend. I’m happy to be where we are, and I think we proved that we belong here, now as two-time winners at Hattah! Thanks heaps to the team and everyone behind us, it was an amazing race.”
Lyndon Snodgrass impressed in his first Hattah appearance with the KTM DM31 Racing Team, charging through the field from a 16th-place start to finish P3 outright and second in the 251cc – 450cc 4-stroke class. The podium result capped off a convincing performance from the Victorian onboard the KTM 450 SX-F, delivering the team a double outright podium at one of Australia’s toughest off-road races.
Lyndon Snodgrass: “I was just a little bit back from the front group, so it was tough, but I just kept my own pace. I didn’t even know I was in third until I crossed the finish line, so it was a pretty good feeling because it was getting tough towards the end and I thought I was going to be rolling in fourth. Thanks to everybody who was able to bring this together for me!”
The weekend also saw Jye Dickson put together another determined ride aboard his KTM 450 EXC-F, remaining in the outright fight throughout the gruelling four-hour event before claiming P5 overall. The result added another strong finish to Dickson’s 2026 campaign, continuing to build more experience alongside the KTM DM31 Racing Team.
Jye Dickson: “Yeah, that was a tough race, so I’m happy to come home with fifth. To be honest, I didn’t really know I was in that position until I came across the line! The track was probably the roughest Hattah I’ve ever done with how wet it was. It was definitely a struggle, but I’m happy to make it home safe.”
Young gun Jackson Versteegen completed the demanding event in P18 outright on his KTM 450 SX-F, while narrowly missing the Under 19 podium with fourth in class. The young Western Australian once again gained valuable mileage as he continues his development in senior national competition, highlighted by making the Top 10 Shootout in qualifying on Saturday.
Jackson Versteegen: “I’m pretty buggered after that one, to be honest – it was the roughest Hattah I’ve seen! But no, it was good. The team nailed the bike and the fuel stops. Everything on their behalf was perfect, and I’m happy with what we are able to take away from this weekend.”
Following a successful Hattah Desert Race campaign, KTM DM31 Racing Team now shifts its focus back to the 2026 Australian Enduro Championship, with rounds 9 and 10 set to take place at Kempsey, New South Wales, on August 8-9.
2026 Hattah Desert Race Results – Hattah, VIC
Outright
1. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Sam Pretscherer (Honda)
3. Lyndon Snodgrass McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
5. Jye Dickson (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
18. Jackson Versteegen (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
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