Daniel Milner will pilot the brand new 2020 KTM 450 EXC-F as he defends his AORC E2 crown captured last season, in what will be his fourth-straight season with the factory KTM organisation. The highly-successful 28-year-old is eager to return to racing after a lengthy off-season, while a positive round of recent testing has strengthened his confidence ahead of the AORC series-opener this month.
New to the KTM Enduro Racing Team, 18-year-old Semmens will transition from motocross to make a full-time switch to off-road this year, where he’ll be equipped with the 2020 KTM 250 SX-F in the E1 category. The Victorian has participated in a mixture of enduro events in recent years, displaying his potential alongside an impressive haul of motocross and Hattah Desert Race results, including the Under 19s victory last year.
Daniel Milner – KTM 450 EXC-F: “I’m very excited for this season, being my fourth year with the KTM Enduro Racing Team and we’re obviously on the new 2020 model this year. It’s a bit of a change this year from the previous bike, but I’ll still be on the KTM 450 EXC-F and I am confident in the package we have put together for the new season. I’m ready to go racing, we’ve done a lot of testing over the summer, and it’s been good for me because I didn’t go to the International Six Days Enduro [ISDE] last year. Having that time off has fired me up – the pre-season that we’ve had has been a boost of confidence, that’s for sure.”
Mason Semmens – KTM 250 SX-F: “Coming from motocross to enduro and getting the opportunity to join the KTM Enduro Racing Team is really exciting – it’s going to be a massive learning year for me in the AORC and also the A4DE. I have done quite a few off-road races before and have always raced Hattah, so it’s not completely new to me, but it will be an important year in my career and I am grateful for the opportunity. It’s definitely positive to be teamed up with Daniel Milner – one of the best in the world – and to learn from him, it couldn’t be better situation for me.”
STORY: KTM Group Australia Motorsport Update: “COVID-19 Does Not Abide By Any Schedule.” (August 2020)
RESULTS: United States win 2019 FIM International Six Days Enduro
photos (c) Marc Jones & KTM