Red Bull KTM return to the National Motocross Championship

This weekend marks the highly-anticipated return of the National Motocross Championship. The event takes place in Pietermaritzburg this Saturday under strict Covid-19 regulations.
 
All eyes will be on Red Bull KTM’s Tristan Purdon, who will be looking to pick up where he left off at the start of the season. The motocross star left onlookers in awe as he went 1-1 to snatch MX1 victory at the opening round in Port Elizabeth.

After the MX1 title evaded his grasp in 2019, Purdon will leave no table unturned in his pursuit of national glory this year:“I’ve been so excited for a fresh start and to put last season behind me, and winning the opening round was the perfect way to do it! I’ve got my sights set on taking the title this year and nothing is holding me back,” said Purdon.
 
Red Bull KTM teammate Kerim Fitz-Gerald will be looking to make up some championship points in MX1 after battling with some technical issues in the first round. He also lines up as the reigning MX2 champion, and after a solid start to the season will look to come back swinging in defence of his 2019 title.

Rounding out the orange squad this weekend is Jonathan Mlimi. The rider is paving a comeback path in the High School Class after sitting on the sideline for most of the 2019 season due to injury. Mlimi proved in the opening round that he still has the pace to keep up with the frontrunners in his class, and is ready to reinstate himself as a favourite in the race for the highly-sought after High School title.

“It gave me a lot of confidence to see that I’m capable of pushing the pace up front earlier this year, and I’m looking forward to coming back even stronger this weekend!” said Mlimi.
 
Published by:  KTM Motorcycles – Louwrens Mahoney

Photography by:  Carli Smith