Summarize

National Motocross heads to KZN

The fifth round of the 2019 TRP South African National Motocross Championship heads to Thunder Valley in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal Saturday 10 August with several spectacular key battles to be played out across the board on a traditional tough and demanding track.

It’s the home race for open class championship leader Maddy Malan aboard his Q4 Fuels Husqvarna and he will be out to open up his 11-point title advantage, but that won’t be an easy task if his pursuers have any say about it. Tristan Purdon (Red Bull KTM), Lloyd Vercueil (Florstore OnTrend Summit Yamaha) and David Goosen’ (Out of Africa Monster Energy Yamaha) also have each other to worry about with just nine points between them and Wesley du Plooy (Honda) and Royce Griffin (KTM) also in the hunt.

There's a similar situation in 250cc MX2, where Cape rider Anthony Raynard (Tinswalo Yamaha) holds a 13 point title advantage over Jozi rider Joshua Mlimi (Red Bull KTM) with Kerim Fitz-Gerald (Red Bull KTM) hot on their heels. Don’t ignore Bradley Cox (KTM), Ricky Raaf (Husqvarna), Johan Vogelsang (KTM), Slade Smith (CIT Husqvarna) and Jesse Wright (Yamaha) fighting it our among this lot.

KTM trio, over-40 riders Brett Bircher and Craig Kruger and Over-30 man Tyson Engelbrecht lead the way in madalas MX3, but Over-40 flyer Ian Topliss (Out Of Africa Monster Energy Yamaha) has been on form of late and will be eyeing success in KZN, as will home rider Jono Hubbard and Stuart Laing on two more KTMs.

Kayla Raaff (Husqvarna) is yet to be beaten in SA ladies motocross in 2019, but Natasha Rugani (KTM) has also piled on the points and remains within striking distance in the title race ahead of Jenna Bohling (Husqvarna), Yanke Pieterse  (Yamaha) and Tiegan Reed (KTM). Add Megan Jonker back from injury and gaining pace and there may be a ladies upset in the offing

In schoolboy action, Dalton Venter (CIT Husqvarna) has enjoyed dominant form in the 125 High School championship of late and he holds a comfortable title lead over Arnu Saaiman (KTM), Yamaha riders Ethan Hoffman and Christiaan Cilliers, Zimababwean Tristan Grainger (KTM) and Calvin Jean-Jacques (Yamaha).

Blake Young leads a KTM top four in 85cc Pro Mini by ten points over over Leonard du Toit, but third placed Dylan Kirk will miss this round, giving Nate McLellan, Daiyaan Manual (Husqvarna) and Garrick Henley (Yamaha) a look in to that title top three.

There are just seven championship points between 85cc Junior top two Seth Young (KTM) and Deegan Bloomfield (Husqvarna), but Emmanuel Bako (KTM) is playing catch-up and Josh Fletcher (Yamaha) Timo Maximo, Toepfer (KTM) and Seth Whittington are all there or thereabouts too.

Neil van der Vyver meanwhile takes the 65cc Junior championship leader’s red plate to KZN aboard his Q4 Fuels Husqvarna, with the similar Husqvarnas of Liam Botha and Jordan Van Wyk in a tight spat for second, with KTM kids Trey Cox, Damon Garrell and Thor Johnson chasing him down.

The baby 50cc class is another close run title tussle between the KTMs of championship leader Ethan Williamson, Jake van Schoor, Keenan Strauss and last race winner Christian Berrington-Smith, with Logan van Vuuren and Chase Bekker leading the pursuit.

The Maritzburg Motorcycle & Car Club’s Thunder Valley Motocross Track is on New England Road Pietermaritzburg — the action starts with qualifying practice Saturday morning before two spectacular motos per class through the afternoon. 

The 2019 South African National Motocross Championship powered by TRP Distributors, in association with Dragon Energy, Prepsol, Out Of Africa, Tintswalo, Bridgestone, Thor, Gaerne, FMF, Motul, Pro-Taper, Fly Racing, 100%, Ogio Luggage, Racestar Graffix and the Race Shop.
ENDS

Issued on behalf of SA Motocross

What:SA National Motocross Round 5 Preview
Where:Thunder Valley. Pietermaritzburg KZN
When:Saturday 10 August 2019
Community:South Africa National

For further information please contact noleen@mxsa.co.za

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