DAVID WALSH WINS 2024 FINKE DESERT RACE - JUST BIKES (2024)

HMG Motorsport KTM’s David Walsh was victorious at this year’s Tatts Finke Desert Race, extending his winning streak in the annual two-day off-road race to five. The Alice Springs local was fastest on the opening leg from Alice Springs to Finke, then rode conservatively to secure the outright win on the return leg.

Entry numbers were down by more than 100 this year, with 326 lining up for the Prologue that got underway on Saturday, 8 June. Organisers have cited cost of living pressures for the drop off, believing some entrants are now choosing to do Finke every second- or third-year. Additionally, some are thought to be holding off until the 50th Anniversary Finke, which will be in 2026.

Prologue – Walshes up Front

In the Prologue, Liam Walsh, cousin of David and another member of the HMG Motorsport KTM team, was fastest. The junior Walsh’s 4m36.298s time was almost three seconds faster than second-placed Callum Norton (STE Racing KTM), with David Walsh third, a further 2.1 seconds behind.

KTM and KTM-related models dominated the start list and filled the Top 10 in the Prologue, with only Ray Cole (Yamaha YZ450F – ninth) and Brodie Waters (Honda CRF450R – tenth) not on a KTM or GasGas.

Three-time Finke winner, Ben Grabham (GasGas EC500F), was fastest in the Masters class and fourth fastest overall in the Prologue, while Madi Healey (GasGas EC350F) topped the Women’s class.

Day 1 – Alice Springs to Aputula

Despite starting behind his main rivals, David Walsh powered through the gruelling 226km stage from Alice Springs to Finke (Aputula) on Sunday, 9 June. Mounted on a brand-new KTM 500 EXC-F, Walsh chased down the riders ahead of him, finishing with a time of 1h47m36.812s. That was a comfortable 2m47s clear of Norton, with Korey McMahon (GasGas EC500F) third-fastest overall, 20 seconds behind Norton.

Liam Walsh was one of the day’s 13 retirements, crashing out and suffering a broken wrist, but had been one of the fastest to that point.

“It was a pretty big, fifth-gear crash,” Liam explained. “I got into a bit of dust and lost control in some deep whoops about 500m before the refuel station.”

In the Women’s class, Healey was first to Finke and 55th overall, closely followed by the class winner in 2021, Dani Foot.

Day 2 – Aputula to Alice Springs

Starting the 226km return leg on Monday 10 June with a healthy lead, David Walsh could afford to be conservative, so the 34-year-old took it easy initially.

“I knew they were going to be charging to get me, but I just had to get through all the big stuff and make sure I stayed safe,” Walsh explained.

With so much time to make up, Norton was on a charge, with McMahon showing impressive pace on the return leg, too. The likes of Corey Hammond (KTM 500 EXC-F) and Luke Hayes (KTM 500 EXC-F) were also gunning for the win, or at least a podium result, while Grabham showed he’s still got it, mixing it with the front runners all the way back to Alice.

Norton finished the second day just over 2 minutes ahead of Walsh, but it wasn’t enough and the Alice Springs local ultimately won the overall by 47 seconds.

Five in a Row

While Walsh’s fifth successive King of the Desert crown equalled Randall Gregory’s five-year domination of Finke from 1991 to 1995, he’ll need to win at least two more to overtake Toby Price’s victory tally. Price, who last raced the Bike class at Finke in 2018 and won the Car class in 2021, 2022 and 2023, did not compete in either category this year.

"I feel very honoured to match Randall Gregory’s record – he was an idol of mine growing up,” Walsh said. “I honestly thought the boys had my number this year. There’s a lot of nasty stuff out there, but that’s Finke, and that’s what makes it the best race in the country."

McMahon was third, 1m5s in arrears, followed by Hammond and Hayes, each of whom were less than 5 minutes off a podium finish.

Grabham finished sixth overall and Waters was the first non-KTM or GasGas home in eighth. Healey won the Women’s class, finishing more than 20 minutes ahead of Tayla Maurice (Honda CRF450RX).

The attrition rate at this year’s Finke was surprisingly low, with only 24 riders of the 326 who started failing to finish.