The 2026 Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore (AusEnduro) moves into the second half of the season in Casterton (Vic) on June 20-21 for rounds seven and eight.
After a demanding start to the season in dry, dusty and technical conditions at Roma, Dungog and Queensland Moto Park, competitors are set to face a welcome change in terrain. The famous Victorian sands of Casterton will bring a completely different challenge, rewarding momentum, endurance and precision as riders adjust to softer conditions.
As the championship’s only Victorian stop on the 2026 calendar, Casterton has become a favourite among riders and fans alike. The combination of flowing sandy terrain, high-speed sections and unpredictable racing has produced some memorable battles in recent years, and with championship fights tightening across multiple classes another exciting weekend is expected.
Casterton also marks the return of the Cross Country format for round seven before competitors switch back to Sprint racing for round eight. For the first time, fans will also be able to follow the action more closely through the new Live timing link throughout the event.
Pro Enduro
The battle for Pro Enduro supremacy is set to intensify as the championship enters a crucial phase.
Confidence will be high for KTM DM31 Racing rider Korey McMahon as he returns to the venue where he claimed his first Pro Enduro round victory in 2025. The Victorian has consistently featured at the front throughout 2026 and will see Casterton as an opportunity to close the gap to the championship leader.
Known for his speed in sandy conditions, DM31 KTM Racing Team rider Jye Dickson looms as another major threat. Dickson has continued to build momentum throughout the opening six rounds and the terrain change could provide the perfect opportunity to challenge for his first outright victory aboard the KTM in 2026.
However, there is no overlooking current championship leader Shop Yamaha Offroad Team rider Wil Ruprecht. Unbeaten through six rounds, Ruprecht has established himself as the benchmark this season and will be looking to continue his dominant run deep into the championship.
Adding another dimension to the fight at the front is the return of Lyndon Snodgrass (DM31 KTM Racing Team). After spending the past six years racing in the United States, the former E3 champion and two-time ISDE winner returns to Australian competition aboard a 450cc machine and is expected to immediately challenge for podiums and outright honours.
E1
E1 has delivered some of the closest and most entertaining racing of the season, and Casterton is shaping up to continue that trend.
BluCru Yamaha rider Cooper Sheidow enters the weekend holding a narrow championship advantage, but Jeremy Carpentier (JGR Yamaha) and Deegan Graham (Yamaha) remain firmly in contention. All three riders have positioned themselves at the top of the leader board throughout 2026, highlighting just how competitive the class has become.
Sheidow is embracing the return to sandy conditions: “Switching back to sand is great. It’s been a while since we’ve had a good sand race and with the bike working so well, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Another rider capable of making an impact is Jackson Versteegen (DM31 KTM Racing Team). The Victorian enjoyed his strongest results of 2025 at Casterton, claiming victory in the EJ category, and now returns to the venue as an E1 competitor. The softer terrain may play to his strengths and could see him become a factor in both class and outright results.
One notable absentee from the E1 battle will be round three winner Ryan Hayward (GASGAS), who continues to recover from a wrist injury sustained earlier in the season. Hayward’s absence removes another proven race winner from an already ultra-competitive class, with the rider instead focusing on returning to action at Kempsey. While he remains in the championship picture, every round missed adds further pressure to his title aspirations.
E2
Can anyone stop the Ruprecht roll? After a perfect opening half of the season, Ruprecht remains undefeated and continues to raise the benchmark in E2 competition.
The Yamaha rider has been preparing specifically for the move to sandy conditions.
“I’ve included sand riding in my training throughout the year to be on the front foot before switching to it full-time recently to refine technique and patience.” he said. “It’s allowing me to be more energy efficient and look at the track with ambition to get creative and stay out of some of the bumps.”
Dickson appears the rider most likely to challenge. The KTM rider has steadily closed the gap in recent rounds and enjoyed some of his strongest performances in sand during 2025.
“Feels good to be back on the sand. It’s definitely my favourite time of the year. We’ve been putting in the work with our suspension settings and have them in a really good place heading into Casterton.”
Kogan Lock (GASGAS) will also be looking for a breakthrough result. His speed has continued to improve throughout the season and the move to sand could provide an opportunity to challenge the class frontrunners.
E3
McMahon continues to control the E3 championship battle while simultaneously pursuing the outright Pro Enduro crown.
McMahon has been the standout performer in the class throughout 2026 and arrives at a venue that holds fond memories following his breakthrough outright victory last season.
Behind him, Broc Graham (Stark), Max Midwinter (KTM) and Max Rikys (KTM) continue their battle for championship positions. With both a change in terrain and racing format this weekend, the E3 order could look very different by Sunday’s final test.
EW
Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Offroad Team) remains the benchmark. The defending champion has only been defeated once in the opening six rounds and returns to a venue where she was victorious in 2025.
Fresh from her third victory at Finke, Madison Healey (KTM) arrives carrying strong momentum and plenty of confidence. Widely regarded as one of Australia’s premier sand riders, Healey will be looking to convert that experience into a breakthrough result this weekend.
A round victory at Queensland Moto Park has also kept Madi Simpson (Yamaha BLU CRU) firmly in championship contention, with another strong performance likely to tighten the points battle even further.
EJ
The EJ category continues to produce some of the most unpredictable racing of the championship.
Kai Austin (Kawasaki) became the latest rider to stand on the top step after claiming victory at round six, joining Beau Tripcony (Husqvarna) and Marcus Nowland (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) as round winners in 2026. With multiple riders proving capable of winning and little separating the leading contenders, the championship battle remains wide open.
As the championship enters the second half of the season, every point becomes increasingly valuable, and Casterton’s unique conditions may prove pivotal in shaping the fight for the EJ crown.
The return of Cross Country racing played a major role in defining the championship battle at Casterton in 2025. With a new season, fresh challengers and titles on the line, rounds seven and eight may once again prove to be a turning point in the 2026 Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore.
Images: Troy Pears