Following another stellar year of competition, the achievements of a number of Yamaha riders were recognised last week at the annual Australasian Dirt Bike (ADB) Awards function.

The industry event highlights the achievements of riders across all dirt bike discplines, with finalists receiving votes via the adbmag.com website.

Rockstar Energy MX Nationals Pro Open winner and Super X Open Runner-Up Jay Marmont took the coveted trophy for Top Motocross/Supercross rider in 2008.

In his first year with the manufacturer, the CDR Rockstar Yamaha YZ450F pilot excelled, dominating proceedings in the outdoor events across Australia.

Marmont then backed up with a solid second place in the inaugural Super X championship, not only taking a win away from Chad Reed but also finishing on the podium at every round.

Endurance racing saw a new star emerge in 2008, with WR450F rider Chris Hollis setting the benchmark in the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships.

Like Marmont, Hollis delivered results in dominant fashion early in the piece, cruising to an easy class win in Pro E2 and a deserved outright championship victory.

He also became the first Australian rider in several years to win the Australian 4 Day Enduro, and in doing so completed the elusive AORC and A4DE titles in the same season.

Hollis secured the gong for Off Road rider of 2008.

One of the newest additions to the Yamaha family, Robbie Maddison was also a winner, taking the trophy for top Freestyle Motocross rider of the year.

Maddison broke a Guinness World Record for the longest distance jump on a motorcycle on two separate occasions, the second in front of a huge Australian crowd at Calder Park Raceway.

Other achievements included an impressive third overall at Red Bull X-Fighters, a second place at the Salt Lake Dew Tour event and a finals berth at X Games.

The Yamaha rider is set to make more headlines in just under a month as he prepares to complete incredible 96ft vertical jump on New Years Eve in the United States.

Ballards Yamaha Off Road rider Ben Burrell was the undisputed winner of the junior category following a stellar season of competition.

A string of wins and podium finishes on the way to the AORC Junior Class crown sees Burrell as one of the sports most exciting prospects in the upcoming years.

Yamaha Motor Australia Motorsport Manager Ray Howard said it was fitting that the achievements of Marmont, Hollis, Maddison and Burrell be rewarded by the voting public.

"We have enjoyed a strong year of competition, and on behalf of everyone at Yamaha Motor Australia I must congratulate Jay, Chris, Robbie and Ben for their awards," said Howard.

"It has been an exceptionally successful year, with Yamaha dominating the Motocross and Off Road Championships, and providing the greatest challenge to Chad Reed in the inaugural season of Super X.

"Robbie has set the benchmark for Australian FMX riders this year and we look forward to a fantastic relationship with him in the years to come.

"Bens dominant performance in the Junior class of the AORC is a sure sign of things to come - we feel he has the makings of a champion rider at the highest level.

"A special mention must also go out to World Supercross Champion Chad Reed, who achieved his second title on a Yamaha earlier in the year.

"We are close to wrapping up the year but I know teams and riders are already putting plans in place to achieve similar success across all dirt bike disciplines in 2009."