The Australian Enduro Championship rolled into Casterton, Victoria, for rounds seven and eight of the 2026 season, with muddy conditions, deep sand and demanding tracks producing some of the closest Pro Enduro racing of the year.
While ShopYamaha’s Wil Ruprecht continued his championship-winning form on Saturday, KTM DM31 Racing’s Korey McMahon broke through for his first outright Pro Enduro victory of the season on Sunday as the two factory-backed teams split the major honours.
Saturday’s action featured a gruelling three-hour cross-country race that quickly turned into a battle between Ruprecht and McMahon.
Ruprecht silenced any lingering doubts about his sand-riding ability, charging to the front after settling into the opening laps before claiming victory by more than 20 seconds. The result marked his seventh win from seven starts in 2026 and further strengthened his championship position.
“It was something I needed to work on,” Ruprecht explained after the race. “This time last year I lost points in the championship, while this year I gained points, so it’s been a satisfying weekend.”
McMahon wasn’t far behind. The KTM 500 EXC-F rider pushed Ruprecht throughout the Cross Country and finished second outright while also taking victory in the E3 category.
“Saturday was solid,” McMahon said. “I battled with Wil all day and ended up P2 outright. Wil was riding awesome, so it was a really good day for us.”
The KTM squad also welcomed returning Australian Lyndon Snodgrass back to domestic competition after six years racing in the United States. Riding a KTM 450 SX-F, Snodgrass impressed immediately with third outright and second in E2.
Meanwhile, ShopYamaha’s Maximus Purvis produced one of the rides of the weekend. After colliding with wildlife while leading E1 early in the Cross Country, Purvis remounted and charged back through the field to finish second in E1 and sixth outright despite racing much of the event without a helmet peak.
Sunday’s sprint format produced an entirely different challenge and ultimately a different outright winner.
McMahon delivered his strongest performance of the season, winning E3 once again and securing his maiden outright Pro Enduro victory for 2026.
“To come away with my first outright win of the year was really cool, and it gives us a bit of momentum rolling into Hattah,” McMahon said.
Snodgrass backed up his impressive return by claiming victory in E2 and finishing second outright after capitalising on a late mistake from Ruprecht in the final test.
“Wil made a mistake, and I was able to put together a clean run, which moved me up to P2 outright and first in E2,” Snodgrass explained.
Ruprecht had been locked in a day-long battle with Snodgrass before a heavy crash in the final test cost him valuable time. Despite the setback, he still salvaged second in E2 and fourth outright.
For Purvis, Sunday marked a complete turnaround. The Yamaha rider avoided the drama of Saturday and showcased his off-road speed by claiming the E1 victory and finishing third outright in Pro Enduro — the highest outright result recorded by an E1 rider this season.
“It’s been a frustrating start to the year for me,” Purvis admitted. “So it’s nice to get a result that everyone can be happy with and proud of.”
With Casterton now complete, attention turns to the Hattah Desert Race before the Australian Enduro Championship resumes at Kempsey, NSW, in August.
ROUND 7 – CROSS COUNTRY PRO ENDURO
- Wil Ruprecht (ShopYamaha)
- Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing)
- Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM DM31 Racing)
ROUND 8 – SPRINTS PRO ENDURO
- Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing)
- Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM DM31 Racing)
- Maximus Purvis (ShopYamaha)
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