Words: Russell Colvin.

CDR Yamaha’s Chris Hollis and Daniel Milner claimed a 1-2 finish today in the opening round of the KTM Enduro-X Nationals, which was held at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway.

Taking the spoils and $5000 in price money with a 2-2-1 result was CDR Yamaha’s new recruit and runner-up in last year’s AORC title, Hollis, ahead of Milner, with KTM’s Toby Price third.

“It didn’t start out as the best day,” explained Hollis. “But it all comes down to these mains. I wasn’t the fastest guy, I got third in the shootout, but consistency is what it’s all about.”

“It’s awesome to come out with a win with Yamaha, it’s a really, really good feeling to be honest. Dacka (Craig Dack) has put a lot of hard work into me and I thank him, Yamaha and the whole CDR Yamaha team enough!”

For Milner, every race start he bagged the holeshot and took the fight to everyone. In race one however it came unstuck for the Victorian when he cartwheeled over the ‘bars on the Alpinestars rocks, before he remounted to finish fourth behind Price.

“It was a good day,” Milner said. “It was pretty cool to get three holeshots, that’s for sure. I unfortunately had a moment in the first race when I was out in front, just lost my balance in the rocks and my front-end went in a big hole and ended on my face.”

Other men that threw mounted attacks throughout the day during the three motos to the Yamaha men included Price, who made his return to racing after sitting on the sidelines for the most of 2013 due to injury.

Price was in red hot form all day as he posted the fastest time in the top 10 shootout, which scored him an extra $500 to add towards his $2000 for coming third overall.

“I’m definitely happy with being on the podium,” Price said. “But of course you always strive to try and get those extra placings. Just my starts let me down a bit, that’s all. I’ll have to work on that and fine tune it for the next round.

“But apart from the I felt good on the bike, I know I had the speed, it’s just so good to be out there and racing again, but we do have a bit of home work to do when we get back.”

In fourth place was 2013 Calder Park Enduro-X winner Peter Boyle, who made his first race outing for the factory KTM team. Boyle looked as if it might have been his day again after he stormed to the race one victory, but then struggled after that collecting a sixth in race two and seventh in race three.

Rounding out the top five was Active8 Yamaha’s Stefan Granquist, with his teammate Tom McCormack just one slender point behind.

The KTM Enduro-X Nationals heads to Sydney Speedway on 15 February for the second of three rounds.

KTM Enduro-X Nationals
Round one – Archerfield Speedway, QLD

Overall results:
1. Chris Hollis 69
2. Daniel Milner 65
3. Toby Price 60
4. Peter Boyle 54
5. Stefan Granquist 48
6. Tom McCormack 47
7. Brodie Waugh 42
8. Kristian Sprenger 35
9. Kye Anderson 34
10. Kasey Winston 31