It might be cold in South Africa, but it’s heating up for the 2023 FIM AFRICA Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN) hosted by Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and Speedspot MX Track. The last time the MXOAN was hosted in SA was 10 years ago.
The 2023 MXOAN action will take place at Zone 7 – Speedspot MX track in Cape Town from 11-13 August 2023. This is one of only a few team motorcycle sports run under the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Africa (FIMA) banner, and all participating countries have strict selection criteria to ensure only their best riders compete.
Teams across Africa, such as Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, have confirmed their attendance. The entries are record-breaking, with over 200 riders entering by the closing date.
We envisage exciting racing as there is fierce competition from all the African countries to be crowned the 2023 African Champions!!!
See you at Zone 7. Stay tuned for updates and Let the countdown begin.
The Red Bull KTM team had an exhilarating race down in Richards Bay at the fifth round of the National Motocross Championship at the breathtaking Teza motocross track this past weekend with Cameron Durow and Luke Grundy leaving a trail of triumph in their wake claiming the top step in their respective classes.
Taking centre stage was Cameron Durow, who tightened his grip on the championship lead in the prestigious MX1 and MX 2 Class. Taking both the holeshots in the MX 2 class, and second around the corner in MX1, Durow kept his eyes on the prize and hands tight on the handlebars to bring both class wins home. Durow commented on the weekend saying, “Really technical track but I enjoyed it a lot. I kept it smooth and consistent throughout the day and managed to tick all the boxes to get all four moto wins!”
Adding to Red Bull KTM’s winning streak was yet another High School Class victory from Luke Grundy. Showcasing his unrivalled grit who after a slower start by his own high standards had to fight his way back and control the race from the front lines. He said, “Really stoked with the day getting both heat wins even though I had a bad start but the day went really well. Going into the next round with a 40 points lead and couldn’t be happier.”
Jonothan Mlimi racing in the MX2 class didn’t have the day he had planned out. Having a good start in the first heat but the day soon went south after another rider fell in front of him putting him in the back of the pack but he managed to put his head down and charged to 5th in the first heat. Mlimi made good headway in the second heat but couldn’t finish the race and was forced to retire from the race due to technical issues.
Mlimi commented, “My day didn’t go as planned for me. Unfortunately just as I got my flow in the second heat I started having a few technical problems, and I didn’t finish the race, but we will come back for the double header even stronger and ready for action.”
Coming back from a shoulder injury after the Welkom National and not racing for three months, is young gun Trey Cox showing his determination to put up a fight in the Highschool class. Despite having a minor crash in each heat, Cox still managed to come back and take a step on the podium for Red Bull KTM this weekend.
Cox commented on the weekend saying, “Really stoked to be racing again. Overall a really good day for my first race back, just happy with my performance and my team. They did everything they could to help me and my bike was on point.” He went on to say “I am very excited for the doubleheader in PE and what the races will have in store.”
Group manager Grant Frerichs commented on the team’s performance saying, “We are still looking really good championship wise and look forward to some battles in the sandy conditions down in Port Elizabeth in a few weeks time for round 6 and 7.”
MotoGP landed at the sweltering Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto for one of the loudest, busiest and hottest European dates on the calendar and the fourth round of the current season. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing surged temperatures further as Brad Binder and Jack Miller duelled at the front of the field for Sprint victory and Brad spectacularly earned his second win of the year while Miller finished 3rd.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team showcased three riders for round four of the series and for the well-known narrow asphalt of the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. The track offered a hot spring climate and saw a bumper crowd pack into the facility from Saturday morning. Turn 6 of the layout, named ‘Dani Pedrosa’, was rounded by the actual Red Bull KTM test rider who joined Brad and teammate Jack Miller for his second MotoGP wildcard outing since full-time retirement from racing at the end of 2018.
The squad got busy with their program that saw Brad and Jack (both previous winners at Jerez in multiple categories) located in Q2 positions on Friday. After the morning qualification Brad had to make it through Q1, but both racers defied tricky conditions in the wake of a brief rain shower to storm Q2. Miller momentarily held Pole Position and was only outdone in the final seconds by one rider. The Australian ranked 2nd and less than a tenth of a second faster than Brad who was 4th: the 2-4 combo representing KTM’s best team qualification effort.
The 12-lap Sprint was a KTM spectacle. Brad and Jack disputed the lead and were rarely separated by more than half a second. Brad’s move into Turn 6 was enough to provide the break he needed for his second ’12 points’ of the term.
MotoGP gets underway at the slightly delayed hour of 15.00 CEST and with a promising 25-lap frantic fare promised for Sunday.
Brad Binder
“I knew starting from the second row we had good chance of being in the fight. I felt great today and it is so good to walk away this afternoon with another victory. Jack did a great job to pull us away at the beginning but I started to struggle with the front tire pressure increasing and I knew I needed to make a move when the front end was locking-up. It’s incredible to take another victory and I want to say thanks to my team, Dani and the test team and the whole of Red Bull KTM for giving us such an amazing and competitive package. Hopefully there is a lot more to come from us this season.”
What Trademore Feeds SA Cross Country Round 2 Report Where Jolivet, KZN When Saturday 15 April 2023 Community South Africa National
Kawasaki wins again at Jolivet Cross Country National
He may have done it by three-hundredths of a second, but Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki Master, Pieter Holl, pulled off an incredible double at the second round Trademore South African Cross Country Championship race at Jolivet in KwaZulu Natal on Saturday. Kenny Gilbert meanwhile bounced back with a fine second in Seniors, backed up by Brian Bontekoning in sixth.
“Today was one of those days I will never forget,” Pieter Holl admitted. “The race was stopped because of a bush fire on the route and then restarted, so when we finished, we knew it would be a very close result when they added the two halves of the race together. And man, was it close! “I won by three-hundredths of a second after three and a half hours of racing! So huge thanks once again to Iain and the Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki crew for a great bike and what is becoming a fairy tale season for me!”
2022 champion Kenny Gilbert was second in Seniors for Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki, ahead of the teammate Brian Bontekoning in sixth. “I have come back to a far more competitive Seniors class,” Gilbert smiled. “Jolivet was fast, dusty, and tricky, so I rode well within my limits and had a really good day out there to end up second. Well done to the organisers, my winning teammate, and to everyone who finished the race. “And thanks to my Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki team for a great effort as always!”
It was a tougher day at the office for OR3 sensation Wian Wentzel following his debut victory last time out. “I got lost and did the entire time trail loop,” Wian rued. “That cost 30 minutes and then when I was eventually back on the main route and trying to catch up, bad luck struck again when my front brakes disappeared. “It was just one of those days, but I am strong, motivated, and ready to go at it at the next National.”
“We had a good day at Jolivet, Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki team boss Iain Pepper summed it up. “Pieter came out hot and won Masters to retain his red plate, Kenny rode brilliantly to hold Louwrens Mahoney off to take second, and Brian was a solid sixth. “Unfortunately Wian took wrong turn on lap 1 and did an extra 20 km, but that’s just racing and he will be back, that’s for sure.”
The Trademore South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship now takes a break until the Vryburg double header on 16 and 17 June, but it’s already back to action for Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki Racing at the second round Gauteng GXCC race at Rysmierbult already this coming weekend.
AN INTERNATIONAL MASS RIDE TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY
Unlike Alice, you don’t need to believe six impossible things before breakfast to enjoy an International Mass Ride on Saturday, 06 May 2023. The ride is in honour of International Female Ride Day (IFRD) and will end with an Alice in Wonderland-themed picnic at the Avianto Clubhouse in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.
Join in for a safe, smooth-riding and fun event, with various departure points all around Gauteng and each group led by an experienced lady rider.
The IFRD first took place in 2007, with this year being the 17th edition. The aim of the IFRD is to stage a globally synchronised motorcycling and scooter ride for women that encourages all women to ‘JUST RIDE’.
It provides the ideal opportunity for women to act as role models to the global community of women who ride, to raise awareness of the growing numbers of women who own or ride motorcycles, and to celebrate the achievements of women in motorsport.
The International Female Ride Day has a successful track record of unifying women across 120 countries around the world. In addition to these serious goals, the IFRD is also about having fun and making friends in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
That’s where the Alice in Wonderland theme for this year comes in. The Muldersdrift picnic will be hosted by Alice and her friends, including the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Queen of Hearts.
“We’re all about encouraging women to find more reasons to ride, and what better opportunity than a fancy-dress picnic?” commented Kerry Puzey of Biker’s Warehouse, one of the organisers of the IFRD Mass Ride.
Registration is essential and the R50 fee affords riders participation in the Mass Ride, entrance to the wonderland ‘after-party’, a goodie bag and a picnic hamper. Once you have registered all the details will be shared including route and start point information and you can pre-order awesome IFRD merchandise and your picnic hamper. If you’re not in the mood for a picnic you can grab a pizza on the day from the Avianto Clubhouse. A cash bar will also be available to quench those parched from the ride.
Partners are welcome to participate and dressing up is definitely encouraged, with prizes for the best outfit. There will also be lots of chances to win lucky draw prizes.
“International Female Ride Day is all about celebrating the growth in female motorcycling, keeping the momentum going and encouraging more women to ride motorbikes and scooters,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. “I’ll be leading one of the offroad groups myself and doing my bit to encourage ladies to take part. I’m excited for this chance to demonstrate the passion, fun and camaraderie that can be found on two wheels,” she added.
To register for the IFRD Mass Ride and picnic or to learn more, visit www.ifrd-sa.co.za
Share and follow all the fun on social media using #FemaleFocusForward #IFRDSA and #IFRDGauteng
Motul is a world-class French company with 170 years of experience in the specialised formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (for two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motul Tech division.
Since its inception in 1853, Motul has been recognised for the quality of its products, commitment to innovation and involvement in competition, and is also acknowledged as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. In 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant, derived from the aeronautical industry and making use of esters technology: 300V lubricant.
Motul partners with many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological product development through experience gained in motorsports. It has served as an official supplier for teams competing in iconic Road racing, Trials, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross and World GT1 events, including 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros Trophy, the Dakar Rally and the Roof of Africa.
