JESS GARDINER

With back-to-back wins at Kyogle, you’ve now got a firm grip on your eighth Australian Off-Road Championship. What’s next?

We have the final round of the FIM Women’s World Enduro in Portugal on 8 October, then it’s back home for the final two rounds of the AORC at Dungog. Ten days later we fly over to South America for the 2023 International Six Day Enduro.

Due to travel restrictions, Australia didn’t compete in the ISDE in 2020/21. This meant that with start positions allocated on previous year’s results, the Aussies had to start at the back of the pack in 2022. Were you disadvantaged?

It depends on the venue and last year in France it was super dusty. At times it was difficult to see the track, so those riders in cleaner air up front had a definite advantage. We fought hard to get that third position so we have a good starting position in Argentina. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to make sure we got to compete in 2023.

Getting to France in 2022 became even more difficult due to the cost and availability of freight. What compromises were you forced to make?

Our usual system of sending a large container with everything for the World, Junior and Women’s Teams simply wasn’t possible. But over many years we’ve all made good contacts in Europe. Many of the manufacturers and all the big brands are there; bikes, tyres and equipment. So that made it easier to access everything we needed to compete. This year that will be a lot trickier. As for money, we’ve always been reliant on our sponsors here at home. 

We understand that MA’s Enduro Management Committee had already made the decision that Australia would not be fully represented in Argentina. Yet you and your teammates convinced MA to support the Women’s Team. How?

Basically it was that we were determined to compete. We understood that meant taking a greater share of the financial burden so we set up a GoFundMe site, organised a raffle thanks to industry supporters and started selling supporters t-shirts.

MA paid the entry and is our biggest supporter, although there’s plenty of scope for a big company to come in.

We’re sure you’ll reach your target, but not even a big fat cheque will solve everything. What’s your plan regarding bikes and suspension set-up this time?

Due to time, sea freight was too risky so our only options were to hire what we needed in country. Not just bikes, but tools, enviro stuff, fuel drums and work stands, etc., or to airfreight everything. We’re still working on that, although it appears the costs will be much the same. Even if it costs a little more, airfreight makes sense as we’ll have our preferred suspension settings, handlebars, grips and levers.

Both you and Tayla Jones celebrated your second team win at San Juan in 2014, so you both know what to expect. How do you think Danielle McDonald will adapt to the extreme desert conditions?

It’s certainly going to be tough. Both Tayla and I were in tears multiple times during our first ISDE when we were a similar age to Danielle. She’s certainly working hard learning tyre changes, servicing the bike and all that not-so fun stuff we need to perfect. It’s not just about riding a bike fast.

All this timing pressure is new to Danielle, right?

That’s right, but she’ll be competing in the final round of the 2023 World Enduro Championship in Portugal with me on 8 October. And that’s a similar format. I remember Tayla was a motocrosser who had no experience before the 2012 ISDE in Germany. On the first day she had to push her bike to parc fermé on the rim because she couldn’t complete a tyre change in time. Sure, Danielle will be in the deep end but she couldn’t be in better company. 

Interview Peter Whitaker