National Motocross Championship – Round 6 – Chestnut

The Red Bull KTM squad have good reason to be in fighting spirit at the prospect of securing multiple National Championship titles this coming weekend as the Motocross season draws to a close. The final round, which will take place at the popular Chestnut Hill track outside Pretoria will set the stage for what is to be a battle royale in the four classes the Red Bull KTM riders compete in with them being in the pound seat leading every one of those classes. Essentially the championship titles are theirs to lose having already secured the manufacturers’ title barring absolute disaster.

Leading his class going into the final round Luke Grundy is looking to clinch his first-ever championship title. The youngster said, “I’m looking forward to the last national as I’m hoping to wrap up the 2022 season with the championship and I want to end the year off with a high and 2 heat wins and a championship reaches that goal!”

Also leading his class, Tristan Purdon will be looking to also sew up his championship challenge with a solid performance in the MX1 class. “I really like racing the Chestnut track, the team have the bikes running really good and I’m happy with my set up” he commented. Purdon and team mechanic Kevin Tyrer have been working tirelessly to get the bikes dialed in. Purdon went on to say: “I’m really looking forward to a good weekend and keen to see what happens out there, in motocross, it’s not over till the checkered flag is out.

Similarly, Cameron Durrow who is leading the MX2 class will be on the hunt for glory. “It’s been a long year and I can’t wait to close it with a bang, hoping to wrap up my first 250 title and want to end the year on a high in the 450 class,” he said. Durrow mused about how much he enjoys the racing at the Chestnut track saying: “It’s a really fast-paced high intensity track which is going to bring some awesome battles which I am looking forward to.”

Team mate Jono Mlimi has been battling to get back to his usual race pace after returning from a mid-season injury and is still in with a shot at the podium. Mlimi who refuses to give up the fight said: “I still have a chance of getting 3rd in the championship this weekend after a DNF, so I’m ready to give it my best and finish off with a good result for myself and my team.”

Trey Cox isn’t holding any punches either eying the elusive 1-1 which would mean winning both heats on his way to closing of the championship title. “This weekend is important to me because I can wrap up my first national championship, I have a decent points gap but I really want to end my 85 career with a 1-1,” he said visibly amped.

KTM South Africa’s Grant Frerichs underpinned the importance of this weekend saying “We have 4 championship titles on the line with even more podium spots up for grabs, the bikes and riders are more ready to race than they’ve ever been and I seriously look forward to a great day of racing!”

Published by: Grant Frerichs

Photography by: Mpho Ramathikithi – ZCMC Media