MILNER GATECRASHES THE PARTY HE ONCE OWNED

Cast your mind back to 2021, when virtually everything we did – or didn’t do – was dictated by Covid restrictions. Sadly, as a result, the 2021 Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) only ran two of its scheduled 12 rounds that year, which meant it didn’t officially constitute a national championship. Yep, it was a dead rubber of a season. So, even though the four-time AORC Outright champ, Daniel Milner, won both of those 2021 rounds, he was deprived of the chance to win a fifth AORC crown (which would have tied him with Toby Price as a five-time AORC Outright winner).

Well, after two years of mixed fortunes racing the FIM EnduroGP World Championship (with Fantic and TM teams), Milner is back in Oz and back to claim that fifth AORC title. And he’s back with KTM, the manufacturer he teamed up with to win a majority of that coveted AORC silverware.

Here’s an excerpt from KTM Australia’s PR, announcing that the 32-year-old Victorian will be spearheading KTM’s off-road racing efforts in 2024, alongside standout fellow Victorian, 19-year-old Riley McGillivray.

Milner formally announced the news today on The AusMoto Show and will be ‘Ready to Race ’in forming his own program upon return home next season, gaining official KTM support and set to be equipped with the 2024 KTM 450EXC-F.

The 32-year-old Victorian was exceptional with KTM domestically in a five-year stint between 2017 and 2021, winning the AORC title Outright on three occasions, alongside an assortment of E2- and E3-class championships.

The success of Milner and KTM together also extended to victory in the 2018 Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) and three Hattah Desert Race wins, in addition to winning the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) with Team Australia and individually in 2018.

Also continuing with KTM support will be defending AORC E3-class champion Riley McGillivray, who will continue onboard the KTM 500EXC-F following a breakout season. Now with a major national title to his credit, McGillivray will once again be a force to be reckoned with off-road into the new year.

Daniel Milner: “I’m excited to be back at home in Australia and to be back with KTM! Before going to Europe, I was with KTM for five years, so it’s nice to be home in both ways. I’ll be running my own team with the KTM Group in 2024, so it’s a little bit different to what I was doing when I was on the team run by KTM Australia itself – I kind of just had to show up and worry about my riding, whereas this year I’ll be running the team, so that’s pretty exciting for me. Having a good bike underneath me was the main priority and I’ll be riding the KTM 450EXC-F. It’s a bike that I have enjoyed a lot of success on in the past and now I’m really looking forward to getting things underway for next year.”

Kyle Blunden (KTM Group Australia Motorsport Manager): “Returning from the prestigious EnduroGP, we are thrilled to welcome back Daniel Milner, who will contest the E2 category astride the all-new KTM 450EXC-F. His experience, skill and unwavering determination make him a true asset to KTM and the enduro racing landscape in general. Having spent some time with Daniel this past week, he’s certainly happy to be home. In addition, we are delighted to extend our agreement with E3 champion, Riley McGillivray, who will be back in action, ready to defend his hard-earned championship in the E3 class. Riding the KTM 500EXC-F, Riley showed his mental toughness being put under immense pressure right up to the final test in 2023. He’s a brilliant young racer and we’re excited to see him continue to progress in 2024.”