When Chucky went to Italy early last year, joining the dominant KTM factory team in the EnduroGP World Championship, it seemed inevitable he’d follow old sparring partner Matt Phillips onto the podiums of Europe.
The two-time Australian Off-Road Champion had already won the E3 class at the 2015 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Slovakia, backing up with a second victory at the 2016 ISDE in Spain.
But he struggled to adapt from his championship-winning KTM 300 two-stroke to the smaller-capacity KTM 250 EXC. He also found EnduroGP tracks tighter and considerably more technical than the European ISDE tracks he’d experienced.
These problems may have been easily resolved had he been able to adjust the bike to suit his riding style, but both his mechanic and team manager seemed set in their ways as to bike preparation.
“I was frustrated by the fact they wouldn’t at least try any changes I suggested,” Sanders said.
In such situations either everyone is happy or no one is happy, and the 23-year-old decided to return home at the end of the season. “We parted on good terms, but I’d lost my confidence and didn’t jump on a bike for months,” he revealed.
After an Aussie summer at home, some positive vibes from 2017 returned. Memories of cross-country racing in the snow, a road trip to northern Scotland with a few mates, spectating at the MX des Nations, catching up with friends in Germany, picking up a little Italian (and a little too much Italian tucker) all courtesy of his talents in the saddle.
It wasn’t long before his desire to win races returned. All he needed was a bike.
After eight years with KTM he’d hoped to find a spot under the orange marquee, but reigning AORC champ Daniel Milner and Lyndon Snodgrass had settled in for their second season.
“Luckily Husqvarna had a spot for me. It’s a great team to work with after the difficulties I had overseas and, at home, I have the best training base in the world.”
So far this year, Sanders has dominated his class in the opening rounds of the 2018 AORC and the dusty Australian Four Day Enduro over Easter.
“It was great to win the E2 class and lead every day, (but) unfortunately I didn’t get the outright win.”
The win went to Milner, Sanders’ main (and some would say only) rival for the national title.
“When I won the championship in 2016 Milner was in the USA, and last year, when he won it, I was in Europe,” Sanders noted.
Both riders have taken command of their respective classes – Milner in Open and Sanders in the 450s – but the overall title remains a hotly contested one.
Motorcycling Australia and perennial championship sponsor Yamaha has for some years been promoting the three separate classes – E1 (250cc), E2 (450cc) and E3 (Open) – but for the fans, having three #1 plates can be confusing.
“The outright win has always been where it’s at,” says Sanders, who’s clearly got Milner in his sights. But Milner, who has already won the overall championship on both a 250 and a 450, has his sights firmly on being the first rider to win outright in all three classes.
After four rounds, Sanders and Milner lead their respective classes and are on equal points overall.
While neither have plans to contest Finke this year, they will face off again at the Hattah Desert Race in July before joining up as teammates in the Australian ISDE team in Chile later this year.
And, now he’s back on home soil, Chucky’s not ruling anything out. Events like the Wildwood Extreme Enduro are on the radar and he’s even considering bolting some nav gear onto a big Husky to take on the Sunraysia Safari.
