Josh Green claims 2013 KTM Hattah Desert Race

Active8 Yamaha’s Josh Green has won the 2013 Hattah Desert race. The prestigious and long standing event in the surrounding desert of Hattah in country Victoria saw nearly 350 riders take up the challenge but it was Green, on his YZ450F, that landed on the top of the podium.

Green kicked off the weekend strongly, taking pole position after the Saturday prologue, a full second ahead of his nearest rival. Faced with eight, 38 kilometre laps of sandy, whooped out terrain on the Sunday, the event becomes the ultimate test of fitness, rider skill and bike durability.

Nearly four and a half hours of racing saw Green take a convincing win on board his Yamaha YZ450F. He was involved in a tight four-way battle during the opening two laps but eventually broke clear and stretched his lead to a comfortable gap by the half way stage.

“The speed on the first two laps was crazy,” Green said after the event. “A few of us were going backwards and forwards and it seemed really difficult to lead. But after a few laps, I seemed to find my flow, got to the front and was able to just ride my own race.

“I had a drama free run the whole race until the final lap when I crested a hill and jumped into a fallen lapped rider. It was a bit scary as I didn’t see him until I was already committed but luckily no damage was done and I was able to pick it up and get to the finish line,” he laughed.

When the finish flag flew on the eighth and final lap, Green had a lead of two minutes and 19 seconds over second place. “I’m pretty pumped to win. The Hattah race is such a cool event and the atmosphere is awesome. This is only the second time I have done it but I love racing here and the loop is unreal to ride.”

Husaberg’s Jarrod Bewley finished second behind Green… © FourOhFour Shots

Crossing the line in a time of 4:24:55, Bewley finished just over two minutes behind winner Josh Green, while Peter Boyle finished third overall.

“It was a great result. I got caught with traffic a little in the Prologue on Saturday and placed 7th and in the race I just put in a solid effort and stayed consistent,” told Bewley.

“I got into second on Lap 2 and put my head down and there were no dramas. I was stoked when the rain came on Saturday night because it prevented it from being a dusty race.  As expected the track formed really rough whoops and square-edge bumps and the back markers became tricky to pass, so I couldn’t pull Josh in even though my lap times were good. Still, I can’t complain. It will be good to have some down time now and look forward to the next race.”

With Boyle placing third, the day also proved to be one to remember for the Active8 Yamaha team as teammate Tom McCormack took fourth outright.

KTM’s Ben Grabham completed the top five.

The off road fraternity now continue to track west to WA for the jewel in the crown of off road racing, the Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE). The event takes place in Harvey, South of Perth.

KTM’s Ben Grabham was fifth… © FourOhFour Shots

Results – Hattah Desert Race

1st Josh Green – 4.22.36

2nd Jarrod Bewley – 4.24.55

3rd Peter Boyle – 4.28.59

4th Tom McCormack – 4.30.29

5th Ben Grabham – 4.31.40