KTM will feature supported riders across all three categories when the 2024 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) opens in Roma, Queensland, this weekend, led by Daniel Milner and Riley McGillivray alongside series newcomer Tom Buxton.
Rounds one and two of the season will see Milner return home following two years contesting the EnduroGP World Championship. He will be equipped with the 2024 KTM 450 EXC-F in the E2 Class, motivated to regain title-winning success domestically.
Now in his 14th year of professional racing, 32-year-old Milner has secured official KTM support with his new KTM DM31 Racing Team, and he aims to get his season off to a perfect start at this weekend’s two Sprint-format rounds in Queensland.
Between 2017 and 2021 with KTM, the Victorian was the class of the Australian off-road field, being the top points-scorer outright three times on his way to multiple E2 and E3 titles, as well as winning the 2018 Australian Four-Day Enduro (A4DE), the 2018 International Six-Days Enduro, and three Hattah Desert Races.
A new addition to KTM’s line-up in 2024 is New Zealand talent Buxton, who will contest his first AORC campaign aboard a 2024 KTM 250 EXC-F. Buxton, who has also spent two years racing in Europe, will contest the highly-competitive E1 class under the guidance of Milner and within his DM31 program.
In addition, McGillivray is motivated to defend the E3 crown that he won last year when the stopwatch starts this weekend. KTM will continue its support of the 19-year-old this season, as he defends his championship and eyes outright success this time around riding the 2024 KTM 500 EXC-F.
Kyle Blunden, KTM Group Australia Motorsport Manager: “The racing season is upon us, and after a busy off-season, we’re thrilled to showcase our line-up representing KTM Australia in the upcoming Australian Off-Road Championship. We’ve got three outstanding riders across the E1, E2 and E3 classes, all of whom can win. Daniel’s return to the Australian off-road segment certainly got people’s attention, and bringing a relatively unknown under his wing in New Zealand’s Tom Buxton is excellent! To have Riley back to defend his title on the KTM 500 EXC-F is exciting, and after a pre-season stint in the USA, Riley is looking to make his claim once again on the E3 class. Each rider has put together an excellent program and I’m excited for them to showcase the hard work and preparation that has gone into the 2024 season at this weekend’s AORC opener in Roma, Queensland.”
Daniel Milner: “It’s been a little different this year with running my own team, organising logistics and everything behind the scenes, but so far it’s been exciting. We’ve secured some really good sponsors and we’ve had great off-season getting the bike set up, testing with Choice Suspension, and training with the Beaton’s Pro Formula crew. Plus, I’m excited to take young Tom Buxton from New Zealand under my wing this year, because I’ve always enjoyed bringing the younger guys up and guiding them with my experience racing around the world. We’re racing the AORC, then the GNCC and Hattah, and my goal is to be at the top at all of those races, especially because I’ve done so in the past. We’re definitely shooting for the top step and will make sure we stay fit and healthy throughout the season.”
Tom Buxton: “I raced for KTM in New Zealand from 2014 to 2021, before I headed to Europe for two years, which is where I met Daniel Milner. When I returned home at the end of 2023, I got back on a KTM and got in touch with KTM Australia about coming over and they agreed to help me out. This year, I’m racing with the KTM DM31 Racing Team for the full AORC series, GNCC, and Hattah also. It’s an awesome opportunity, Dan and I get on really well, and I’m excited for the year ahead.”
Riley McGillivray: “We won the 2023 E3 championship in my first year in the class, which was awesome. My goal for 2024 is to back that up by winning again. I’m on the same program and in the same class, and the only change is the updated 2024 KTM 500 EXC-F. I’ve just returned home from a stint overseas, and although I haven’t had as much time on the new bike as I would’ve liked, I feel like the experience I gained is going to help in the long run. I’m grateful to receive support from KTM again this year as I pull together my own team. There’s a really good crew behind me and I get to go to the races again with my family. It should be another great year!”
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