02 – Day 1 Wednesday Preview Sunraysia Safari 2025

Good morning and welcome to the opening day of the 2025 Sunraia Safari. Coming to you from a slightly damp Wentworth this morning. Uh we've had a little bit of steady overnight rain but not enough to dampen the spirits of the competitors. Uh and we are running as planned and we've got a bit of an interesting day lined up. Uh we're starting at a new stage just slightly north of Wentworth uh Belleview uh which will have some interesting clay country which will be challenging for the motorbike competitors particularly with the damp weather. Uh then we head back to our favorite place Poon Kerry for a service uh and out to again a couple of properties. We're very fond of Castairs and Minda for the morning session before lunch. Unfortunately we've had to cancel uh one stage this afternoon due to farming activity. Uh they've got some mustering going on, so we don't need motorbikes getting in the way of goats and helicopters. Uh but all in all, it'll be a very challenging opening day, particularly with these trying weather conditions. One competitor who should be very familiar with these conditions is local rider Toby Hedrix. He joins us now. Morning, Toby. Now, you've won this event before. Last year, you had a few dramas which meant that you ended up joining our side and helping us as an official. Uh what do these conditions mean in terms of riding? >> Uh it's going to be challenging. um exciting. Um but what it all boils down to is no different when it's dry as well. But just got to really ride to the conditions and what we can see in front of us. Obviously, uh the road book's not going to tell us if there's a muddy puddle puddle or a clay plat. It's just got to Yeah, it's going to be tricky, challenging, but something different. Um it'll be exciting. >> Now, speaking of different, normally you'd be front first bike on the road. This year, you've got a couple of people you're chasing down. Does that make your life easier or harder? >> Um it it can be harder at times. um depends how much trust you've got on the the riders in front of you that they're going the right way. So, you still have to do my own thing and and navigate and uh look, this first day for me is just going to be about getting the ball rolling and and um getting some bike time. I haven't been on the bike uh a hell of a lot leading up. So, yeah, first day will just be see if we can't join those guys at the front and yeah, have a bit of fun in the rain. >> Now, speaking of bike time, obviously the last time we saw you, you acquitted yourself very well at Dhaka. This is a little bit different. >> Yeah, it is. It is. Well, it's the same principle. um the uh a little bit easier to get ready for this race being a local uh here and I'm not traveling over to Saudi Arabia to race, but um no, still just as excited. I just uh love riding me bike and I love navigational rally. So, >> good luck today. Most importantly, keep it upright. >> Absolutely. We'll see you at the end of the day. [Music]