RUBEN CHADWICK CLAIMS AHEC OPENER

Commencing over the weekend at Towong Upper on the border of New South Wales-Victoria border was the season opener for the 2026 Australian Hard Enduro Championship. With the event aptly named the “Kosciuszko Killer”, it was Beta Motorcycles Australia rider Ruben Chadwick who claimed the overall victory after delivering a standout performance aboard his MY26 Beta RR 300 RACE 2T.

Saturday’s prologue proved challenging, featuring a demanding uphill section that tested riders from the outset. Chadwick made a strong start, positioning himself third into the opening corner before progressing through the endurocross section to take the lead. A bottleneck on the uphill section saw him relinquish the top position; however, he maintained a consistent pace across the four-lap format to finish second overall at the end of the prologue. 

In Sunday’s main race, Chadwick once again demonstrated his skills with a strong start, quickly moving into second position before making a pass to take the lead in the opening technical sections. From there, he steadily extended his lead, riding with confidence and precision across the event’s steep, technical terrain. Chadwick was the only rider in the Gold class to complete three laps, ultimately claiming victory with a total time of 4:49:47.

Ruben Chadwick:
“The track was technical, with plenty of steep sections and slippery rocks, but overall the conditions were excellent. I felt strong and confident all weekend, and I’m really happy with how the bike is performing. It’s a great way to start the championship, and I appreciate all the support from my sponsors.”

Ebony Nielsen also took the win on both days in the Woman’s class aboard her Beta RR 300 Race 2T. The result marks a strong opening round for Beta Motorcycles Australia in the 2026 championship, with Chadwick and Nielsen establishing early momentum in the series. The riders reset and look towards Round 2 in Esk, Queensland on May 23-24.