Your Team 2010

Underpinned by the aim of an outright win and mentoring of emerging riders, DERT has selected the following exceptional team of riders to contest the 2010 Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race.

Ryan Branford tasted victory in 2006 Finke Desert Race winning the overall bike class. Ryan followed this up in 2007 and 2008 with a second placing. After the disappointment of 2009 Ryan is intent on getting back that top spot, and DERT is here to help him achieve that.

Michael Walsh has proven that he has what it takes to be in the Finke winner’s circle. Michael was the Finke Prologue winner in 2007 going on to win fourth outright that year. Michael backed up this performance with 8th outright in 2008 and a 5th in 2009, the highest placed Alice Springs rider.

Peter Costello Hot on the heels of Michael, Peter placed ninth in the 2008 Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race. Peter went on to win the 250 class in one of the country’s toughest enduro, the Honda Hattah Desert Race in Mildura. Peter also won the 3hr Enduro at Narwietooma early in 2009 and is focussed on a top placing at the 2010 Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race.

Caleb Auricht joined Honda and DERT in 2009 to contest the Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race. Caleb won prologue and was running a strong 2nd in the race before a mechanical DNF ended his hopes. Combining raw talent and unparalleled enthusiasm and dedication, Caleb is seeking to triumph in 2010 and we are here to help him!

Jack Dooley-McDonnell steps up to the 450 class for 2010 after dominating the 250’s in 2009. Jacks 10th Outright, was a stellar effort on the smaller bike, Jacks natural ability and dedication will see him instantly competitive on the bigger bike and certainly one to watch for the future.

In addition for 2010, DERT has combined directly with Honda Australia to bring two truly national calibre riders under our team effort. Combining our local knowledge with these talented riders, we are looking to a dominating result for DERT and Honda. We welcome Anthony AJ Roberts and Jacob Smith to the team

Anthony ‘AJ’ Roberts joins our team as a very distinguished rider. AJ has won the Australian Off-road championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007, was runner up 2008 and was 2nd till injury forced him out in 2009. AJ was the youngest ever winner of the famed Kamfari mud race in Darwin at the age of 16, and was also the youngest ever to complete the Australian Safari at age 17. AJ has competed internationally, representing Australia 7 times at the ISDE and finished 11th in the world in the 2007 World Enduro Championships. What’s not on AJ’s comprehensive list of accomplishments, The Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race! AJ and DERT will be a force in 2010 and we aim to help him be the most versatile off road racer in Australian history.

Jacob Smith also joins DERT with the support of Honda Australia. Jacob was runner up in the 2007 Australian Safari and took top honours in that event in 2009, becoming the youngest ever winner at the age of 19. Jacob raced Finke for the first time in 2009 and with very little preparation finished an impressive 11th outright. Jacob is hungry and combined with DERT for 2010 he will be hard to beat.