Red Bull KTM Factory Racing posted a 6th place thanks to Brad Binder at a sun-kissed and packed Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto and the fourth round of 2024 MotoGP. Jack Miller and Dani Pedrosa could not reach the finish line but Binder was the first KTM RC16 rider to the flag.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing entered the 25-lap Spanish Grand Prix fresh with the aroma of podium Prosecco courtesy of Dani Pedrosa’s 3rd position in the Sprint on Saturday at Jerez and with the vibrant atmosphere of a new circuit attendance hitting almost 300,000 people for the weekend.

As the race started Brad powered into the leading sect from the first corners while Pedrosa and Jake Miller, who was 2nd fastest in morning Warm-Up, had more work to do from the second half of the grid. He engaged in a three-way tussle for 4th that was decided by half a second between the trio at the flag and the South African rested 6th.

Brad is now 7th in the world championship standings and ahead of Jack in 14th. The Grand Prix de France means another busy and prominent date on the MotoGP calendar. Round five will dip into the speed and curves of Le Mans in a fortnight.

Brad Binder
“Today’s race was a little bit tricky. I did not get the same start as yesterday and just didn’t have the same pace as the boys upfront. I tried my best but it wasn’t quite our day. I had a lot of chatter from the first lap and it made it difficult to carry corner speed. We need to sit down and work out what was going on because that was the first time we had the issue this weekend.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

For almost forty years Grand Prix racing has lapped the 13 corners of the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto and MotoGP arrived to lay rubber around the course that has become the reference for teams, riders, and fans for a distinct Spanish flavor in the world championship. Round four of 2024 MotoGP began in warm, breezy conditions and with the first streaks of fans littering the stands that filled copiously on Saturday and will conjure the special Jerez atmosphere for race day on Sunday.

Red Bull KTM marked a strong pace on Friday and around a track where both Brad Binder, Jack Miller and test rider Dani Pedrosa enjoyed high levels of competitiveness twelve months previously. Brad headed a long spell of Practice on Friday afternoon and only a crash at Turn 7 while on another ‘flyer’ edged him out of Q2 directly by a tenth of a second. Saturday dawned wet and cool and created different conditions for qualification; the three riders only had the 30-minute FP2 session to fine-tune a wet setup. Brad squeezed out of Q1, and then grabbed 4th on the grid through Q2 by maximizing the medium wet rear tire.

The Sprint took place over 12 drama-drenched circulations on Saturday afternoon and on virtually dry asphalt plagued by a few damp patches. Brad pushed his limits inside the top four after a lightning launch and holeshot and tested the limits of traction in his battle for the podium. There were fifteen crashes as the race order changed frequently. Brad was a victim at Turn 5 with two other riders at the same moment, highlighting how the track was still deceptively slick in places.

Jerez is the second European date on the 2024 calendar and therefore the MotoGP 25-lapper gets underway at the routine hour of 14.00 local time.

Brad Binder

“I knew I had good pace, so it was important to cross into Q2 and give it a good go. Conditions were sketchy this morning: it was not really dry or wet! I was happy with 4th and I had a great start in the Sprint but there were more patches than I thought. I went a bit too wide and had to chill out a little bit to figure out where I was going! Unfortunately, when Alex [Marquez] crashed in front of me in Turn 5 I checked-up a bit and hit a wet spot and lost the front. Disappointing to crash because we were in for a good one. We’ll try again tomorrow.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

What GXCC Cross Country Race Report
Where Bapsfontein, Gauteng
When Saturday 20 April 2024
Community Gauteng Regional

Pentecost wins overall, Mahoney Masters the mielies

UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop Tyres delivered another dominant performance in the third round 2024 Gauteng GXCC Gauteng Cross Country Motorcycle Championship in Bapsfontein on Saturday. Mike Pentecost rode home to his second, dominant GXCC overall win on the trot, Seniors superstar Louwrens Mahoney took yet another over-30s win, and the High School kids delivered another magnificent team 1-2-3.

“I could get used to this,” UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing team boss Harry Grobler beamed. “Mike Pentecost won again, Louwrens Mahoney won yet another Senior race, I think it’s his sixth or seventh win on the trot, and Seth Young, Nathan Westerdale, Murray Smith did another High School GXCC 1-2-3.

“Hats off also to our youngest and oldest riders, Ruald Potgieter was second in 85cc Seniors and Warrick Van Schalkwyk second in Masters. Erik Merry was sixth and Tyron Beverley eighth in OR3. Well done to our riders and our entire team. UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing was only formed last year and we have quickly become a major SA Cross Country force. I am truly proud of all of you, and what we are achieving.”

“My UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda CRF 450 RX was on fire today and my magnificent team right on point as always with perfect preparation and spectacular pit work!” a delighted Mike Pentecost beamed. “Thanks so much to Harry and the guys, you are the best and I am so proud to have you all in my corner.”

“Bapsfontein was brilliant,” Louwrens Mahoney confirmed. “We have now won seven races on the trot between Nationals and Regionals. “I could not have done this without Harry and my UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda team behind me, they gave me a brilliant bike once again and it ran like a train all weekend, so massive thanks to Harry and the guys for everything, as always.”

“I had a brilliant day today,” Warrick van Schalkwyk confirmed. “It was a fast race and I caught Pieter Holl for the lead, but he fought back and I had to make do with second in Masters aboard my fierce UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda CRF 450 RX today. Best of all was my pace is coming up and oom Warrick is ready to rumble, so the rest of the year should be a great fight. Can’t wait for the next one!”

It’s back to National action next for UB Leisure TFC Sleepover Honda Wing Racing with Tork Craft and Dunlop Tyres at the third round of the Vryheid third round Trademore South African Cross Country Championship in the dry Northwest on Saturday 25 May.

Issued on behalf of Honda Cross Country

Photography by: Action in Motion

What GXCC Cross Country Round 3 Race Report
Where Bapsfontein, Gauteng
When Saturday 20 April 2024
Community Gauteng Regional

GXCC Podiums all round for Pepson Plastics Kawasaki

Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing with Michelin, Motul, Bikewise and Scottish Cables enjoyed another positive outing in the third round 2024 GXCC Gauteng Cross Country Motorcycle championship race at Bapsfontein on Saturday. D’artagnan Lobjoit came home fourth overall and in Open Class OR1 Pro, Pieter Holl won another Masters race, Wian Wentzel, second in OR3 and seventh overall backed by Ryan Angilley and Cameron Becker. Geoff Den also ended second in Veterans and Jake Pretorius second in OR4, and Jake Pretorius sixth in OR3 Pro Am.

“We had a pretty good run at Bapsfontein,” Pepson Plastics Kawasaki team principal Ian Pepper confirmed. “The guys added to their great start to the season, and we were a little luckier today. Well done to Pieter on yet another Masters victory, to Dart for a fine fifth overall and third Open bike home, our silver medal riders Wian, Geoff and Jake, Cameron and the rest. Lady luck was however not fully with us today, Jaycee Nienaber suffered a brake failure while running a strong third overall, but that’s racing!”

Pepson Plastics Kawasaki’s legend Pieter Holl remains unbeaten in Masters so far in 2024. “I had a great start and the track was fast but dusty, which made it difficult to ride fast and safe,” Pieter reports. “Warrick van Schalkwyk crept up on me and got past in the second lap, but the highlight of my race was catching and passing him again. My team was right on point and I’m sure that my refuelling must have been quicker than a Formula 1 stop! Thanks so much to Iain and the boys, it’s just great being part of this team.”

“Today was a blast aboard my Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX 450 XC,” D’artagnan Lobjoit admitted. “It was also good to be back on top of it after being forced out by an injury last time out, but the bike was quick and agile and despite the dust, it was a great day in the saddle. I have to thank Iain and the entire Pepson Plastics team for all the effort and support, but I’m getting my eye back in now, so I am really looking forward to the next races!

“This was probably the dustiest race I have ever done,” Wian Wentzel explained. “To make it worse, I had a mediocre start, but made a few important passes early on to put myself in a good position. It was a very smooth day from there, limiting the mistakes and ultimately fighting for the win aboard my little KX 250 X rocketship. The dust just made it difficult to pass safely, so I am very happy to finally put the pieces together and finish strong. And of course, a huge word of thanks to my great Pepson Plastics Kawasaki team!

“The lads did us proud out there again today,” Iain Pepper concluded. “Well done to our whole team, that was another great showing!” Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Factory Racing with Michelin, Motul, Bikewise and Scottish Cables returns to GXCC Cross Country Racing following a short early season pause with a midwinter race on Saturday 8 June.

Pepson Plastics Kawasaki races with Michelin tyres, Motul lubricants, Scottish Cables, Bikewise accessories and Arai helmets.

Issued on behalf of Pepson Plastics Kawasaki

Photography by: Action in Motion

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing SA (TGRSA) continues to proudly support Bradley Cox, in his quest for a 2024 championship. Bradley, son of the legendary Dakar racer Alfie, has made his mark in the world of motorcycle racing in his own right, having won the National Enduro Championship, and bagging three Off-Road Championships and five Motocross titles all before his 20th birthday. He has since brought his total championship tally to ten titles, all before turning 27!

Since spending time racing from Europe, Bradley has returned to South Africa as a base, and he lives in KZN where he grew up. Since making the move to rally-raid racing, he has competed in multiple international rally-raid events, including the Dakar Rally.

Racing in the Rally2 category, Bradley has had mixed results at the Dakar Rally, but most recently he finished 13th overall at the 2024 event, achieving a third place in Rally2. For 2024, he will be competing in the SA Cross-Country Championship, as well as the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

The most recent round of the 2024 W2RC season was the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid, which took place in Portugal and Spain. Bradley finished in 8th place overall and won the Rally2 category. He is currently in third place in the title fight, just three points behind the leader.

“My goal is to fight for the W2RC title this year, and I’m right up there with the leaders,” says Cox. “I’m really proud to be able to represent TGRSA, which is one of the strongest brands in the world of rally-raid racing. They’ve supported me over the past two years, and I’m grateful that the support can continue this year. It really helps to motivate me in my fight for the championship.”

“Bradley Cox has exceptional talent and skill, and his determination and passion perfectly aligns with our TGRSA mantra,” says Vice-President of Marketing for Toyota SA Motors, Glenn Crompton. “We are supporting the best young talent in South Africa, with the aim of him achieving a KTM factory ride in the future.”

Published by: Karabo Sethusha – Manager: Motorsport TGR