Smets has a field day

To expect former world champ to win the recent Australian Four-Day Enduro on a new basically stock BMW woiuld have been a bit much, but he nevertheless drew a bifg crowd and managed a credible sixth spot. Yamaha rider Chris Hollis won the gruelling and dusty event, but BMW was nevertheless pleased with its celebrity import. Here is what the company had to say about it...

Five-times World MX Champion and BMW rider Joel Smets raced through the Australian Four-Day Enduro field last weekend to finish 6th overall on his showroom ready G 450 X.

The machine, flown into Australia specifically for Joel's tilt at the gruelling A4DE, was a stock pre-production machine fitted only with an aftermarket muffler. The result, against a top field riding factory prepared race bikes, was a stunning endorsement of Joel's talents and that of the new BMW G 450 X.

Over four full-on days Joel eased himself into the action, his first competitive event in 18 months, with only two demonstration events in the past five months to get his body ready for the 1,000 km of competition.

Thanks to more than 20 years of competition at the highest level and innate talent, Joel was able to pace himself, and came good right at the end with a blistering attack on the final day's Moto-X event, where he finished in second position, less than one second behind the winner.

The 2008 event was the 30th A4DE, and the response for the thousands of spectators who lined the track was electric. Many had travelled from around Australia specially to see Joel Smets in action.

Joel was excited by the competition and the performance of his bike.

"There were some special tests that really highlighted the advantages of the BMW's unique rear suspension design. On faster sweeping bumpy tracks the bike is so stable, it scared me how fast I was going, and how easy it was.

"I was tempted to push harder but my job was to finish the race and I haven't raced a production bike before, so I kept the lid on my enthusiasm.

"We are already planning to come back for next year," he said.

The 2009 A4DE will take place in Orange, rural New South Wales.