Round four of 2023 MotoGP saw the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team shift their Grand Prix project into another gear. Brad Binder and teammate Jack Miller finished 2nd and 3rd on Sunday for another podium ‘brace’ and after claiming a second Sprint victory of the season on Saturday.

Cooler temperatures and cloudier skies greeted the hoards of fans that poured into the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto for the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España. After a stellar Saturday, the Red Bull KTM trio lined-up for the full 25-lap Grand Prix race distance hopeful of more high competitiveness and podium contention. Starting from the same qualifying positions of 2nd (Miller), 4th (Binder) and 6th (Pedrosa) the KTM RC16s were prominently placed into the first corner. The race was forced into a restart after a collision in Turn 2 but the RC16s were again 1-2 from the ‘off’ and for the 24-lap chase.

Both riders swapped positions and track space but Brad was the main pace setter as Miller had his hands full with Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. Bagnaia was in strong form and took the lead with four laps to go. Brad attacked hard and set his fastest lap on the final circulation. The margin was a narrow 0.2 of a second at the flag. Miller fended off Martin to come home in 3rd.

Brad has surged up to 3rd in the world championship standings, with his 12 point haul from Saturday – the second of the year so far – helping towards the total. KTM are 2nd in the Constructors table and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing hold the same slot in the Teams’ competition.

The Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España will be bookended by the first one-day official test of the season. The team will be busy again on Monday at Jerez with a view towards potential upgrades and more homologation ahead of the SHARK Grand Prix de France at Le Mans on May 13th-14th.

Brad Binder, 2nd:

“Today was fantastic. So happy to get a solid podium and to be out front leading the race. I kept seeing that I had a little gap, so I thought I had done the job and had to look after my rear tire…but I think I cooked it a bit with three-four laps to go. It is what it is, but I managed my best lap of the race right at the end trying to get Pecco: hats off to him. Thanks to my team and to everyone for their support. We’ll try again next week.”

Published: https://bradbinder33.com

What GXCC Cross Country Round 2 Race Report
Where Rysmierbult, Northwest Province
When Saturday 22 April 2023
Community Gauteng Regional

Wins, podiums all round for Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda

Honda Wing Racing and the Franchise Co Tork Craft team returned home bearing the lion’s share of the spoils following a super successful Rysmierbult second round Gauteng GXCC Cross Country Championship race on Saturday. Ever dominant Mike Pentecost led a Honda 1-2 overall, while 85cc riders, Murray Smith won Seniors again and Liam Scheepers took the Juniors win.

“That was a brilliant day at the races for Honda!” Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing team boss Harry Grobler explained. “Our man Mike Pentecost led an overall Honda 1-2 over Ian Rall, Murray Smith won again in 85 Seniors 1, and Liam Scheepers took the 85 Junior win too. But that’s not all, Erik Merry was also second in OR3 with Tyron Beverly sixth, and Louwrens Mahoney ended second in Seniors!”

“I had a really good fun day of racing through the Cosmos in Rysmierbult,” Mike Pentecost reflected as he added yet another GXCC win, and his second in two rounds this year, to his CV. “It was a nice and fast track for a change, my Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing CRF 450 RX ran like a train and I really had fun today. It was also great to see so many fans out there on the loop – it’s great having that extra motivation out there. Big thanks as always to Honda Wing SA and the Franchise Co Tork Craft team.”

“Rysmierbult was my first official GXCC race and that with my awesome Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing team,” comeback king Louwrens Mahoney admitted on his second race back in two weeks. “It was a good, hard race, so congrats to Wade Blaauw on the Seniors win, thank you to my team and our sponsors for all the support, and well done to the GXCC team for a great event.”

“I had a good start and just found a consistent pace I could run in the tricky conditions,” Tyron Beverly said. “My Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing CRF 250 RX loved the fast flowing track set by GXCC and I had a ball out there. Onward and upward to the next one!”

Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing will return to action at the third round GXCC race at Radium on 10 June, a week before the third and fourth round Trademore SA Cross Country Motorcycle National double header at Vryburg.

*Honda Racing salutes its partners, Tork Craft Tools, The Franchise Co, Sleepover Motels, CIT Accessories, Motul Oils, Mitas, Leatt Protectives, Pollisport, TNT Nutrition, Galfermoto brakes & Nitro Mousse

Issued on behalf of Honda Cross Country

Photography by: Action in Motion

What GXCC Cross Country Round 2 Race Report
Where Rysmierbult, Northwest Province
When Saturday 22 April 2023
Community Gauteng Regional

3 in a row for Pieter among 4 Kawasaki GXCC podiums

Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing with Scottish Cables and Motul enjoyed yet another productive outing at the Rysmierbult Gauteng GXCC Cross Country race on Saturday. Topped by Pieter Holl making it a hat trick of Masters wins on top of his recent National double, Jaycee Nienaber ended third in open class OR1, Wian Wentzel third in 250cc OR3, and Jake Pretorius third in 85 juniors.

“Three senior riders on three podiums in three classes, and another in the Juniors, we’ll take that!” Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing with Scottish Cables and Motul team boss Iain Pepper confirmed.” Pieter won, and Jaycee, Wian and Jake were third in their classes. Of the others, Keegan Campos went well in OR3 Pro Am, Nathan Sinclair was not feeling well but still ended 10th in 85cc Pro, and Dylan Human had a good day after a Junior holeshot, while Clayton Human had a tough day. I am very happy how our whole team rode.”

“Yeah, that was a lot of fun!” Pieter Holl admitted after his third Masters win on the trot. “Wayne Farmer took the holeshot and there was a lot of dust, so I battled to pass him. The second lap was also very close but the road opened when the riders settled down. That’s when my Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki came into its own and I managed to pull a comfortable minute and a half gap over Wayne for the win. Thanks to the team for the great support and especially that prompt refuel that contributed to our advantage!”

“Rysmierbult never disappoints!” Jaycee Nienaber conceded. “The track was everything I expected and my Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX 450 X, handled the terrain like a dream. The bike and I truly became one this weekend and it was great to be a competitive, bringing it home third in the OR1 class and fourth overall.”

“Rysmierbult has always been among my favourite tracks and I knew from the start that it was going to be a fun day ,”Wian Wentzel wrapped it up. “I did not make the best of starts, which held me back in the dust on the first lap, but I came through the pack nicely to finish in a strong third in OR3. I am super chuffed with my ride and pace throughout the day, the bike didn’t skip a beat and the team was amazing.”

Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing with Scottish Cables and Motul now enjoys a mini break until the 10 June third round GXCC race at Radium, just a week before the third and fourth round Trademore SA Cross Country Motorcycle National double header at Vryburg.

Issued on behalf of Kawasaki Cross Country

Photography by: Action in Motion

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2 – JOLIVET

As the dust settled at Legends Adventure Farm, the country’s top offroad riders gathered for the second round of the National Cross Country championship in KZN, Jolivet. The tension was high, the adrenaline was pumping, and the competition was fierce. The riders from the Husqvarna South Africa Racing team faced the tough and technical terrain with bravery and determination, leaving everything on the track.

Leading the pack for the team was Davin Cocker, who overcame his nerves and injury to take on the challenge. Cocker faced a tough time in the OR2 class, but he dug deep and displayed the fighting spirit that defines him as a racer. He commented, “I had a bit of nerves coming into the race because of the crash on Thursday, but I managed to keep my head in the right place and compete for the win.” And he did just that, finishing first in class and proving that he has what it takes to be a champion.

Ryan Pelser, racing in the OR3 class, had a challenging race and was visibly disappointed with his results. He stated, “I didn’t plan to ride like this, and I need to work on myself to get comfortable on the bike.” Despite his disappointment, Pelser remained positive, grateful to finish the race safely, and focused on the next round of the competition.

The Enduro Riders for the team, Travis Teasdale and Heinrich Aust, proved their versatility by competing in the race over the weekend. Travis, in OR1, and Heinrich, in OR3, showed their grit and determination, with both riders finishing in 4th place in their respective classes.

Team manager, Grant Frerichs commented: “Challenging conditions faced us in Jolivet and Davin put on a superb performance clinching his class win and extending his championship points lead. Ryan struggled with the route conditions but fought on to gain valuable championship points in his quest for damage control.”

Published by: Grant Frerichs

Photography by: Mpho Ramathikithi – ZCMC Media