As the countdown to the 2026 Goiás FIM Intercontinental Games continues, we meet 28-year-old Natasha Rugani, one of the South African mechanics supporting the FIM Africa MX2 Team in Brazil.
Natasha’s introduction to motorcycle racing came through her father, who got her involved in the sport from a young age. They started out racing enduro together, including the Roof of Africa, before Natasha moved into motocross and off-road racing. She competed for around 10 years, building a strong connection with the sport.
After meeting her partner, who was pursuing a successful racing career, Natasha had the opportunity to travel with him and become more involved behind the scenes. She gradually took on the mechanical side of racing, working on bikes and supporting the team at events.
Today, she continues to combine her experience in racing with her work as a mechanic, helping riders and teams prepare for competition.
Being selected as part of the FIM Africa team for the Intercontinental Games is an opportunity Natasha is looking forward to.
“I think it’s an awesome opportunity! It’s a completely new event for me, and I’m excited to be part of something different. It’s also a chance to travel to a new country and experience a different racing environment.”
In Brazil, Natasha will take on the role of mechanic within the FIM Africa MX2 Team, supporting the rider and making sure everything is in place for the competition.
For Natasha, one of the most important parts of being a race mechanic is making sure the rider has everything they need to perform at their best. This includes ensuring the motorcycle is properly prepared, checking that everything is in working order and providing support throughout the event, allowing the rider to concentrate on racing.
Preparing for an event like the Intercontinental Games will require careful attention, particularly with a new bike in a different country. Natasha’s approach will be to give the motorcycle a complete check before setting it up to suit the rider’s usual preferences and settings.
“Knowing their usual settings and preferences makes it easier to transfer that setup to the bike provided, so they feel as comfortable as possible when they get on it.”
One of the biggest challenges she expects in Brazil will be getting familiar with a new event and environment, finding their feet and understanding how everything works.
Natasha already has considerable international experience, having worked as a mechanic for Team South Africa at four Motocross of Nations events, as well as supporting a full AMA Pro Motocross Outdoor season.
“Getting to experience some of the best racing in the world up close and be right in the middle of it all has been incredible. There have been so many great moments along the way that it’s hard to pick just one. I genuinely love being part of it all!”
As the Games approach, she is particularly looking forward to being part of Team Africa and bringing together people from across the continent.
“The team already has such a great vibe, and everyone is excited to get there and be part of the experience. I think it’s going to be a really cool event, and I can’t wait for us all to get together and make the most of it!”
Working alongside people from different African countries is another aspect she values, with the opportunity to meet new people, learn about their backgrounds and share their passion for motorsport.
“It’s really cool to see people from all over Africa coming together for something we all love. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, getting to know their backgrounds and seeing what we can learn from each other.”
Motocross is Natasha’s favourite racing discipline, while her favourite brand to work on is KTM, particularly the 250 SX-F. Asked to describe herself as a mechanic in one word, her answer is “Supportive”, reflecting her willingness to help wherever she can and be part of the team.
10–13 DECEMBER 2026
GOIÂNIA, BRAZIL
The countdown continues.
