MCMAHON SECURES 2026 HATTAH VICTORY

Korey McMahon successfully defended his Hattah Desert Race crown with a dominant clean sweep of the weekend, while Lyndon Snodgrass charged to third on debut to give KTM DM31 Racing Team a double outright podium at the iconic Victorian event.

KTM DM31 Racing Team celebrated a standout performance at the 2026 Hattah Desert Race, with Korey McMahon delivering a flawless weekend to successfully defend his crown and lead the team to back-to-back victories at the iconic Victorian event. McMahon was untouchable aboard his KTM 500EXC-F throughout the weekend, setting the pace from the outset by topping the prologue before backing it up with victory in the Top 10 Shootout. The New South Welshman then completed the clean sweep in Sunday’s main race, leading from the front of the pack to secure his second-consecutive Hattah Desert Race victory with KTM DM31 Racing Team in dominant fashion.

Korey McMahon:
“Back-to-back wins here at Hattah, it was a perfect weekend. I’m happy to be where we are and I think we proved that we belong here, now as two-time winners at Hattah! Thanks heaps to the team and everyone behind us, it was an amazing race.”

Lyndon Snodgrass impressed in his first Hattah appearance with the team, charging through the field from a 16th place start to finish third outright and second in the 251cc-450cc 4-stroke class. The podium result capped off a convincing performance from the Victorian aboard his KTM 450SX-F, delivering the team a double outright podium at one of Australia’s toughest off-road races.

Lyndon Snodgrass:
“I was just a little bit back from the front group, so it was tough, but I just kept my own pace. I didn’t even know I was in third until I crossed the finish line, so it was a pretty good feeling because it was getting tough towards the end and I thought I was going to be rolling in fourth. Thanks to everybody who was able to bring this together for me!”

The weekend also saw Jye Dickson put together another determined ride aboard his KTM 450EXC-F, remaining in the outright fight throughout the gruelling four-hour event before claiming fifth overall.

Jye Dickson:
“Yeah, that was a tough race, so I’m happy to come home with fifth. To be honest, I didn’t really know I was in that position until I came across the line! The track was probably the roughest Hattah I’ve ever done with how wet it was. It was definitely a struggle, but I’m happy to make it home safe.”

Young gun Jackson Versteegen completed the demanding event in 18th outright on his KTM 450SX-F, while narrowly missing the Under 19 podium with fourth in class – a result highlighted by making the Top 10 Shootout in qualifying on Saturday.

Jackson Versteegen:
“I’m pretty buggered after that one, to be honest – it was the roughest Hattah I’ve seen! The team nailed the bike and the fuel stops. Everything on their behalf was perfect, and I’m happy with what we are able to take away from this weekend.”

KTM DM31 Racing Team now shifts its focus back to the 2026 Australian Enduro Championship, with Round 9 and 10 set to take place at Kempsey, New South Wales, on August 8-9.

2026 Hattah Desert Race Results

Outright
1. Korey McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
2. Sam Pretscherer (Honda)
3. Lyndon Snodgrass McMahon (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
5. Jye Dickson (KTM DM31 Racing Team)
18. Jackson Versteegen (KTM DM31 Racing Team)