Red Bull KTM hold onto red plate after National Motocross double-header

It was a gnarly weekend of racing for Red Bull KTM as the team returned to the National Motocross Championship. The double-header event took place at Pietermaritzburg’s Thunder Valley – a track that became particularly unforgiving after heavy rainfall.

Despite the extreme conditions, Tristan Purdon fought to defend the red plate in the MX1 Class. The rider set off with what he described as a ‘slow start’ by his own high standards on Saturday. He lined-up on Sunday determined to make up some points, however, and managed to secure the second step on the podium in MX1 and third overall in MX2.

“It was a mud show out there! I’m just glad I did better than the first day and managed to finish on the podium. Now it’s time to get back to the drawing board to make sure I come back stronger in the next round,” said Purdon.

For Jonathan Mlimi, the Thunder Valley event is one that the rider won’t soon forget. After sitting on the sideline for most of the 2019 season due to injury, Mlimi stormed to the victory that he had been waiting for.

Having not only won both rounds of the championship but every heat that he competed in this weekend, Mlimi is confident that he has reinstated himself as a force to be reckoned with in the High School Class.

“I came in with the right mindset this weekend and wanted to show the guys what I’m truly capable of after my injury last year. I got some really good starts this weekend and managed to stay up front. Thank you to my whole team for all the support,” said Mlimi.

Rounding out the Red Bull KTM squad was Kerim Fitz-Gerald, who finished in fifth in the MX2 Class overall. As the defending 2019 national champion, the rider will relish the chance to fight his way back up the leaderboard at the double-header season finale in Bloemfontein next month.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the team for the way they performed on what was an extremely demanding track. All of them managed to get some solid points in the bag as we prepare for the next round in Bloemfontein. We’re excited to know that we’ll be lining up with the red plate next month,” said KTM South Africa’s Marketing Manager Louwrens Mahoney.

Published by: KTM Motorcycles – Louwrens Mahoney