The countdown is almost over – the Australian 4-Day Enduro is on in Cessnock next week.
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Founded by Cessnock Motorcycle Club in 1978, the enduro returns to its birthplace for its 40th anniversary.
And it’s poised to be the biggest A4DE in 25 years, with all 350 rider registrations selling out three months in advance.
Members of the world champion senior, junior and women’s trophy teams will be among those racing in Cessnock next week.
A large contingent of local riders will also take to the tracks – some of whom are seizing the opportunity to ride at a national event in familiar territory.
Quorrobolong rider Matthew Vogt is among the local riders taking part, and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“It will be great to see how you go against those riders – there’s some really fast guys coming along,” he said.
Vogt has been putting in as much time as he can on the motorbike, as well as mountain biking and a bit of swimming in the lead-up to next week’s event.
The 22-year-old rode motorbikes as a kid but only took up the sport again about three years ago, and competed in the NSW series last year.
He will ride in the E2 class at the Cessnock event, and is hoping to finish in the top 100 overall.
“I’m looking to go out there, give it my all and see what happens,” he said.
Vogt said the enduro will be a great event for Cessnock.
“The club’s put a lot of effort into it, it’s going to be awesome event – one to remember,” he said.
“It will be good for the town, and the local riders.”
Champion riders including Geoff Ballard, Jemma Wilson, Daniel Milner, Lyndon Snodgrass, Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders, Josh Green, Jess Gardiner and Jeremy Carpentier are among the big names who will compete in Cessnock next week.
The organisers anticipate the enduro will bring more than 2000 people to town.
The action will be centred around at Cessnock Showground, where racing will get underway from 7am on the Tuesday morning (April 3).
Racing will be held at the showground from 1pm to 5pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon, and on motorbike trails around the Cessnock local government area.
The event will culminate with the final moto and family fun day at Cessnock Racecourse on Saturday, April 7, with the presentation to be held at Peden’s Hotel that night.
Peden’s Hotel will host a reunion dinner for the International Six-Day Enduro on April 1.
The ISDE was held in Cessnock in 1992, following the success of the four-day enduro.
Take a look back at the ISDE in the gallery below.
