Luke Tomlinson wins AORC Expert Class

Luke Tomlinson has taken out the 2009 National Expert Class title of 2009 Australian Off Road Championship (AORC).

Riding a BMW G 450 X for the BMW Motorrad Enduro Team, Tomlinson went into the last round of competition in Young, NSW, with a four point lead in the championship and performed well enough to hold onto his lead.

"I was feeling confident going into the weekend; the bike's been working well for me and I couldn't be happier," said Tomlinson.

BMW Motorrad Enduro Team had minor successes in other classes too: Luka Bussa had a strong year in the Pro Class while Alexander Lean improved in the Clubman Class.

Team manager Trent Lean even entered the G 450 X for the Veteran Class and spoke highly of Tomlinson's Expert Class win: "We exceeded all our expectations, with the innovative G 450 X proving itself to be both extremely reliable and also very competitive. To have Luke take the Expert title is testament to the G 450 X and to Luke who applied himself throughout the season and improved as it went on."

Even the team technician, Steve Clarke, entered the AORC fray on the G 450 X in Masters Class -- between stints servicing the team's bikes.

As the BMW Motorrad Enduro Team's first year in the AORC with the G 450 X making its debut in the championship, the bike has started making a name for itself. With strong performances in the WEC and now in Australia, BMW is confident the G 450 X's reputation will improve.