Release from 15.10.2023

STEFAN GRANQUIST AND EMELIE KARLSSON SECURE 2023 AORC CLASS PODIUMS WITH HUSQVARNA

STEFAN GRANQUIST - HUSQVARNA AUSTRALIA © Foremost Media

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In what has marked a competitive 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) season, Husqvarna Motorcycles-supported Stefan Granquist secured a hard-fought second place finish in the final E3 class standings, as Emelie Karlsson also claimed runner-up overall in the EW category.

Granquist came into Saturday’s dry and dusty tests with the single purpose of notching the E3 round win, in order to set himself up for a final championship surge on Sunday. After a day-long battle, Granquist and his 2023 Husqvarna FE 501 came home the victor – just two seconds ahead of second place – ensuring a cliffhanger finish to the championship the following day.

Entering the 12th and final round of the 2023 Australian Off-Road Championship on Sunday, Granquist put in a mighty performance that would see him in the fight across the multiple tests throughout the day, with the experienced veteran falling just short of the E3 title, collecting second position. This year’s AORC season marked a strong campaign for Granquist, who stood on the podium at each round of the series, while reaching the top step on four occasions.

Just behind the two front-runners in the E3 class, Simford Motorsport Group’s Sam Pretscherer finished Saturday’s racing with a consistent third-place effort, before charging to another third-place ride on Sunday, which secured him P3 overall for this year’s season.

In the EW class, Karlsson needed to successfully finish both days of the demanding enduro racing in order to end the season with another second-place championship result. Karlsson and her 2023 Husqvarna FE 350 executed the plan perfectly, with her third-place result on Saturday awarding her with enough points to confirm her runner-up championship result.

Third place on Sunday marked another strong result for Karlsson, who claimed no less than 10 podium finishes across the 2023 championship, demonstrating skill and consistency which captured her second overall in this year’s series.

In the EJ class, teenage sensation Billy Hargy wrapped up second position in the 2023 championship, with a pair of second-place finishes over the two days of competition in Dungog.

Stefan Granquist: “It’s pretty heartbreaking to come so close to claiming the E3 title this year. I came into the weekend confident and had a great day on the bike yesterday, but today I came up just seconds short. If nothing else, it’s really lit a fire in me to make sure I go one spot better next year. For now, we’ll enjoy a break after what’s been a pretty tough – and rewarding – year of racing.”

Emelie Karlsson: “Second in points was a good result for this season, even though two third-place finishes at Dungog isn’t where I wanted to be. I had a comfortable points gap over third in the championship, so I just tried to stay smooth and keep the mistakes to a minimum this weekend. Conditions were dusty and technical, and usually I enjoy that type of riding, but I struggled to find a consistent rhythm over both days this weekend.”

2023 Australian Off-Road Championship – Dungog, NSW

Round 11 results:

1. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)

2. Riley McGillivray (KTM)

3. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)

4. Thomas Henry (Beta)

5. Patrick McGillivray (KTM)

1. Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha)

2. Ebony Nielsen (Beta)

3. Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna)

4. Courtney Rubie (KTM)

5. Ariana Collins (Husqvarna)

1. Will Dennett (Yamaha)

2. Billy Hargy (Husqvarna)

3. Jett Yarnold (Yamaha)

4. Luke Chellas (KTM)

5. Eli Tripcony (Husqvarna)

Round 12 results:

1. Riley McGillivray (KTM)

2. Stefan Granquist (Husqvarna)

3. Sam Pretscherer (Husqvarna)

4. Broc Grabham (KTM)

5. Wesley Keeley (KTM)