The battle for honours in the 2021 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) gets underway in Victoria on April 17-18, with Sherco factory rider Jonte Reynders firmly setting his sights on taking home the spoils in the big-bore E3 class.
Reynders, who has just signed a one-year contract extension with the Melbourne-based Pirelli Motul Sherco Racing Team, finished second in the 2020 E3 title on his two-stroke 300 SE Factory machine after some intense battles against eventual champion – and recent Dakar Rally top five finisher – Daniel Sanders.
As well as keeping Sanders honest, Reynders also came up trumps in the ‘unofficial’ battle as the pre-eminent two-stroke in the E3 class.
With those battle-hardening bouts behind him, and feeling fit and strong after an intense pre-season, the 23-year-old Tasmanian is focussing on a winning start at Golden Beach this weekend – the two rounds comprising a three-hour cross-country format on Saturday, followed by a sprint event on Sunday.
“I’m feeling great coming into the AORC championship for 2021,” said Reynders, who recently kickstarted his 2021 season with a thumping four-minute win in the Tasmanian enduro opener – while riding with five stitches in his left thumb after an unfortunate incident with a utility knife!
“The team has built me another awesome bike and I’ve felt very comfortable on it during testing.
“My fitness is strong, and I know we can come away with great results at Golden Beach. I’m looking forward to picking up where we left off last year and can’t wait to go racing.”
Reynders will be riding the updated 2021 Sherco 300 SE Factory at Golden Beach, with the latest incarnation of the French-built firebrand now fitted with a vibration-busting counterbalancer. Other changes include an updated six-speed gearbox, revised ignition and new in-mold graphics.
As well as Reynders in the E3 class, Sherco riders will also be represented in the remaining championship classes at the AORC opener – E1, E2, juniors, veterans, masters and women.
To check out the full Sherco enduro and trials range, visit
www.sherco.com.au/ Golden Beach, located on the famed Ninety Mile Beach in Gippsland, is now officially the 2021 AORC opener after the opening round in Nowra was postponed following the recent big wet in NSW.
The 2021 AORC will visit four states, with the finale to be held in Omeo (Vic) on October 16-17. For more information on the 2021 AORC, including live timing, visit
www.aorc.org.au/.