Rider Blogs

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Matt's Blog - September 9

This was my second 6 day and to finally finish one was an amazing feeling! Over the event we covered a lot of terrain like rocks, dust water crossings, sand and road sections. It really tested the riders as they were really long days! Also they were really hot! It was really important to keep hydrated and to eat a lot as you need as much energy as possible! My Wellard Yamaha WRF 450 went awesome and I really enjoyed every moment riding the bike! The whole Wellard Yamaha Team did a fantastic job so we could get the best results we could. Even though we had a couple of problems along the way we fought through them! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mauro Balzarini for everything he has done for me this year. Also Lisa form Wellard for everything she has done for the Team to help us. A big thanks must go to Yamaha in Greece for arranging our bikes at the last moment, to Peter and Dale for all their hard work in arranging everything for the Team that allowed us to get these fantastic results!
 
Thanks very much
Matt Gangell # 504

Liam's Blog - September 9

I have had the best time of my life over here in Greece riding for the Wellard Yamaha enduro Team. Before we started riding we had a few challenges which made it hard as there were limited resources in the area. Thanks to Yamaha in Greece for helping us out with new WRF's. With just a few small adjustments my WRF 250 felt really good and comfortable to ride for the 6 days getting me through to the end with no troubles. The different terrain we covered in the event was very challenging and hard on us and the equipment but it was a great feeling for all of us to finish with no major dramas. I would like to thank Mauro and his Wellard group, Yamaha, Peter and Dale, Darren, Foodge and Gail along with my team mates Matt and Paul for the best time of my life!
 
Liam Robertson # 704

Paul's Blog - September 9

For the last 6 days I have competed in my very first enduro, one which I started with a 6 day, the worlds biggest event! I learnt a lot about the sport and myself waking up each morning feeling like I had just been hit by a truck! It tested me mentally and physically riding for an average of 7 hours a day then going straight into a 15 minute work period where you would change tyres, air filter and check over your bike. Before this I had limited experience in changing tyres let alone changing 2 in 15 minutes. I must say I even surprised myself! The obsticles I was faced with were very tough. Before riding them I would not have thought a motorcycle could get through, over or under them as there were some big up and down hills, river crossings, rock faces and more! Even though I had never ridden a WRF 250 before it got me through without any trouble. Personally I had two main highs through the week. The first was parking my bike for the last time knowing I had just finished one of the toughest enduro events in the world. The second was winning my MX heat by a big margin on the last day while the team were cheering me on. It was unbelievable!! I would like to say a big thankyou to the Wellard Team, Mauro Balzarini, Lisa Maclean, Pete and Dale and all the helpers because without these people the awesome opportunity would not have happened to me this year!
 
Humbo signing out!!
 
Paul Humberstone # 604

Liam's blog - August 28

This week has gone a lot different to the plan. The bikes were supposed to be here the same time as us but the container unfortunately is still in Egypt. Today we managed to pick up our new WRF bikes thanks to Yamaha in Greece! We did just under a 150km's running them in to make sure they were ready to race. We will ride them one more time again and fit the mousse tubes and new tyres. After doing a final check over they will go into the Parc Ferme on Saturday. I am having a great time and can't wait to start racing! Cya Liam

Matt's blog - August 28

Today is Thursday the 28th August and we received our new bikes. We have had a few hiccups on the way as our container did not make it to Serres on time. The Team has managed to gather all the equipment that we needed for the event. The Wellard Yamaha riders ran in their new Yamaha WRF 250 and 450 bikes today and did a few adjustments to the suspension. I am really happy with the bike and I think it will go really well throughout the event! I am enjoying my time here in Serres Greece and am getting used to the hot weather. Ya sous Matt

Paul's blog - August 28

This first week in Greece has been extremely exciting and mind blowing. I've walked 75% of the tests and have been very surprised at the very steep up and down trails as they go through the hills. The trails are very narrow with lots of trees either side. The ground is very rocky with lots of tree roots and the dirt is very fine which has people talking of a very dusty 6 day event. Racing will start on Monday and I can't wait! I did some testing today as I usually ride a YZF 250 and was pleasantly surprised how plush the WRF suspension was. I also liked the mellow power delivery, it makes it easy to ride. Catcha Paul
 

Foodge's blog (Mechanic)- August 28

Hey people! Finally we have bikes and all is good. Saw the boys ride today for the first time and was very impressed with all of them. If they can keep it all together we should be able to bring home the gold!! Regards Foodge

Paul's  blog - August 18

Since the motocross session has finished for me I have been preparing for the ISDE by ridding at the roughest motocross track at Wanneroo AJS.  I have been doing thirty minute moto’s and trying to do the odd enduro. I have been training in the gym most days and feeling my fitness is above par. 
In performance wise I hope to finish the six day event and anything more will be a bonus since I have never competed in an enduro competition before.
Once again I would like to thank the Wellard Team for this great opportunity.

Paul Humberston

Morgan's blog - August 14

I am very disappointed that I have injured my knee so close to the 6 day in Greece, it has been devastating. I wish Liam, Matt and Paul all the best for the race! I hope that they have an awesome time and do really well for the team. It would have been great to be there with you guys but for now I'll just focus on getting me knee strong for the future.

Cheers Morgan

Paul's blog - June 18

I have been given a fantastic opportunity to ride for the Wellard Yamaha Enduro Team this year in the six day ISDE in Greece and can’t wait. 
Although I have never ridden an Enduro event before I have fifteen years of Motocross and Supercross experience under my belt and I believe I can put a lot of these skills into this event.
It is going to be a great challenge and learning curve but I believe I am up for the test. I am really looking forward to this and would like to thank Mauro and the Wellard group for this once in a life time experience.

Regards
Paul

Matt's blog - June 17

Chile last year was amazing! It was my first ever six day Enduro Event, let alone my first ever Enduro I had ever done! I had so much fun racing and hanging out with the Wellard Yamaha team.
Racing in Chile was definitely a challenge but it was so much fun and I had an awesome experience.
Since then I have competed in the Australian series and also the Australian 4 day and am enjoying every minute.
I am really happy to be representing Wellard in the six day in Greece this year and my goal is to complete the whole six dasy, as last year I had a DNF the first day with bike problems and restarted on day 2.
I would like to thank Mauro heaps for all the opportunities he is giving me and I would also like to thank Peter and Dale for everything they have organised for the Wellard Yamaha team.

Cheers Matt

Morgan's blog - June 16

Last year I was really surprised to be asked to be the reserve for the ISDE in Chile and didn’t think twice about saying yes so when I was asked to be part of the 2008 Wellard Yamaha Team in Greece this year. I jumped at the chance!

I am really excited about seeing the level of riders from all over the world compete and I am sure I will learn a lot about riding. I'm looking forward to the challenge of a 6 day because it is a lot harder than our events in WA, and I expect it will be even harder than the Australian 4 day.

I have been doing a lot of riding and fitness work to make sure I will be able to complete the 6 days with good pace throughout the event. My goal is to finish the 6 days and ride the best I possibly can to try and get a good result for the team!

I am very thankful to Mauro and Wellard for this opportunity to ride internationally. It’s a dream come true really!!

Only about 9 weeks to go until we are in Greece, I absolutely can not wait.

Cheers
Morgan