The Red Bull KTM squad have reason to be buoyant after a bullish display in Bloemfontein this weekend for the third round of the National Motorcross Championship. On what was hailed by most as the best-prepped track on the circuit, it was the familiar orange that topped multiple podiums and walked off with the laurels.
It was an impressive 1st and 2nd finish on the overall MX1 podium with Tristan Purdon stepping onto the top step and teammate Cameron Durow in second. The hotly contested MX2 was where Red Bull KTM shone taking all three podium spots in this round with Durow in P1, Purdon in P2 and Jono Mlimi rounding it off in P3.
Tristan Purdon added, “Round 3 of the MX Nationals was quite a tough day for me. I didn’t start so well and had three crashes. I finished second in the first moto and I was riding well in the MX2, got into the lead but had a crash and hit my head. During the second Moto, I sorted my stuff and came out swinging and got a win. The MX2 was a big battle with my teammate but got the win for the moto. I can’t thank my team and everyone enough.”
Teammate Cameron Durow came in second and was ecstatic with his performance at Bloemfontein in the MX1 and MX2 classes, maintaining his standing points-wise that positions him as a strong contender in the hunt for the MX1 crown. Durow comments, “In MX2 I came third for the second moto but still won overall for the day and pulled another points lead in the championship. I’m excited for Round 4 in Port Elizabeth.”
Durow heads over to the Netherlands for five weeks where he will be doing a lot of sand riding and training. He added, “This is really good for PE, so I’m thrilled to go racing after the Netherlands.”
Young gun, Trey Cox who races in the Pro Mini Class bagged yet another podium spot for the team with P3 and added, “It was an alright day for me, not the day I wanted but you can’t always have a perfect day. I managed to go 2-2 for second and got a better championship lead, and pulled a bit of a gap. I’m just going to take the positives from the day and onto the next round in Port Elizabeth.”
Teammate Jonathan Mlimi in the MX2 class explained that the toughest part of the third round of the day was maintaining a lead, adding that the race was completely different from the 125’s but he has certainly learnt a lot and is looking forward to taking the experience gained in the third round to the Champs in Port Elizabeth. He said, “I had a really good day, and placed third in the first moto and first in the second moto so I’m happy to make the podium. I just going to keep working and building from here. Thank you to everyone and the KTM team. Onto the next round!”
In the High School Class, Luke Grundy added to the loot by claiming a solid P1 in the high school class. He commented, “I didn’t get the best start but I clawed my way back and got the win for heat one. Moto two started well, but it took a bit for me to get in my flow. Once I got that checked out, I took the win as well. Thank you to everyone and KTM South Africa, TRP and WP Suspension for a good experience. It was a good wrap!”
Red Bull KTM will certainly be moving to Round Four of the South African National Motocross Championships in Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) on the 2nd of July with their tails up!
Published by: Louwrens Mahoney
Photography by: Justin Reinecke – ZCMC Media