The 2026 Yamaha Australian Enduro Championship presented by MXstore (AusEnduro) heads north to Queensland Moto Park (QMP) on May 16-17 for rounds five and six following a brutal double-header in Dungog last month.
Rounds three and four tested the field to its limits, with fast, dusty conditions, sweeping hills and technical sections quickly deteriorating into rutted, unforgiving terrain. Mistakes proved costly, and consistency became the defining factor across both days – a theme that will continue to shape the championship moving forward.
Now, the battle continues at QMP – a venue known for its diverse layout, combining open hill terrain with tight, technical Australian bushland. It’s a circuit that demands complete riders, offering a true mix of conditions that will once again test the best in the country across sprint format racing.
At the centre of the championship sits the Pro Enduro category, where one name continues to set the standard — Wil Ruprecht (Shop Yamaha Off-Road Racing Team).
Undefeated so far in 2026, Ruprecht arrives at QMP with a perfect season intact. His ability to control races, minimise mistakes and execute across varying formats has made him the benchmark of the field. With conditions at QMP historically suiting the Yamaha package, it will take a massive performance to dethrone the current points leader.
Closing in, however, is the KTM duo of Korey McMahon (DM31 KTM Racing Team) and Jye Dickson (DM31 KTM Racing Team), whose consistency across the opening rounds has kept them firmly in touch in the title fight. Both riders continue to apply pressure, and as the season progresses, the gap is slowly tightening.
E1: wide open and unpredictable
What a year it has been in E1, with a new winner emerging at each round so far in 2026 — and no clear favourite established.
Fresh off their maiden victories in Dungog, Ryan Hayward (GASGAS) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Offroad Team) arrive with momentum and confidence, both proving they have what it takes to deliver under pressure.
But the fight is far from settled.
Cooper Sheidow (BluCru Yamaha) has already claimed a win this season and remains firmly in the hunt, while Maximus Purvis (Shop Yamaha Off-Road Racing Team) and Deegan Graham (Yamaha) have both shown flashes of speed capable of putting them on the podium. With margins razor-thin, E1 continues to be one of the most unpredictable categories in the championship.
E2: the benchmark class
While Ruprecht has controlled the narrative in E2, the chasing pack is beginning to close in.
Dickson continues to edge closer to the top step, showing the pace and consistency needed to challenge for a breakthrough win. Behind him, Kogan Lock (GASGAS) is quickly establishing himself as a serious contender, his impressive debut season building round by round.
Further depth comes from riders like Oliver Paterno (Yamaha), whose strong showing at Dungog marked a step forward towards becoming a regular podium threat, while Jake Henderson (KTM) continues to deliver the consistency required to stay in the mix.
E3: pressure building on the leader
In E3, Korey McMahon has been the standout performer, combining outright speed with control to dominate the class so far in 2026.
But the pressure is building.
Broc Grabham (Stark) and Max Midwinter (KTM) have traded places across the opening rounds in the battle for the minor placings, both showing the pace required to challenge at the front. As confidence builds, both riders will be looking to capitalise on any opportunity to steal a win and disrupt McMahon’s run.
EW: the chase for perfection
The EW category continues to be led by Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Offroad Team), who arrives at QMP undefeated in 2026 and chasing five wins from five starts.
However, the gap is closing.
Madi Simpson (Yamaha BLU CRU) demonstrated at Dungog that she has the speed to match the front runners, capturing test wins and positioning herself as a genuine challenger. Meanwhile, Emelie Granquist (Triumph) continues her consistent run of podium finishes, edging ever closer to stepping up another level.
EJ: consistency vs momentum
In EJ, consistency currently leads the championship.
Marcus Nowland (GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing) sits at the top of the standings, his run of second-place finishes proving the value of staying in the fight at every round. But as the season builds, the pressure is on to convert that consistency into a win.
Round winners Mason Phillips (Kawasaki), Beau Tripcony (Husqvarna) and Kai Austin (Kawasaki) are all firmly in contention, each showing they have the speed to take victories. The question now — who will be the first to claim a second win and take control of the class?
As the championship arrives at QMP, the picture is becoming clearer — but far from settled.
Dungog showed just how quickly fortunes can change. QMP will demand even more.
The benchmark has been set. Now the field must respond.
Images: Troy Pears