The Brother Leader Tread Cross Country Team is gearing up for an exciting showdown in the final round of the Trademore South African Cross Country Series, set to take place this weekend in Bloemfontein at a brand new venue. With a roster of exceptional talent, the team has its sights set on an impressive array of championships and titles.

Leading the charge is Bradley Cox, a formidable force in the cross country racing world. Cox will be competing to claim victory in the premier OR1 class aboard his trusty KTM 450 XC-F. Cox’s consistent performance and exceptional riding abilities make him a strong contender in the OR1 class, and fans can expect nothing short of an electrifying race.

Kerim Fitzgerald, who is on the cusp of clinching his first Cross Country National title in the Seniors class is known for his unwavering determination and impressive skill set. Fitzgerald has been a standout performer throughout the season, and his pursuit of the championship promises to be a thrilling spectacle as he vies for his first overall victory as well.
Matthew Wilson, the defending champion in the OR3 class from 2022, is poised to defend his title with another OR3 championship. Wilson has been battling bad luck all year but he is ready to prove that he is the best in his class once again on board his KTM 250 XC-F.

In addition to individual accomplishments, the Brother Leader Tread Cross Country Team is determined to clinch the 2023 manufacturers’ trophy. With one hand on the trophy already, the team aims to showcase the brand’s excellence in cross country racing once again by delivering outstanding results in this final round.

The excitement is palpable as the team prepares to hit the trails of Bloemfontein for the decisive showdown in the Trademore South African Cross Country Series. With their collective skills, dedication, and a burning desire to excel, the Brother Leader Tread Cross Country Team is confident for a triumphant weekend.

Published by: Grant Frerichs

Photography by: ZCMC Media

The Husqvarna Racing Cross Country Duo of Davin Cocker and Ryan Pelser are revving up their engines and preparing to take on the thrilling challenge of the National Cross Country Championship finale this weekend in Bloemfontein. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for off-road racing, the team is poised to add another over-all victory to the record books.

The Trademore group National Cross Country Championship is the most prestigious event in the country, attracting top-tier riders and fierce competition from all corners of South Africa and Davin Cocker looks to be crowned the king of Cross Country by clinching the overall Championship making him the number 1 Cross Country racer in South Africa.

Team manager Grant Frerichs expressed the team’s enthusiasm, saying, “We’ve been working diligently towards this moment all year, after Davin wrapped up the OR2 class championship as the previous round he has continued to show tenacity in his training and approach to racing in order to claim his first overall title. Bloemfontein will be a true test of both riders abilities, and we’re confident that they are up for the challenge.”

Ryan Pelser is in a hotly contested battle for an overall podium finish in the extremely competitive OR3 Championship and looks for a bit of redemption at the final round.

The Husqvarna Racing Team extends their gratitude to their sponsors, partners, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this year. Together, they are determined to make the Husqvarna name synonymous with excellence in cross country racing.

Published by: Grant Frerichs

Photography by: Sage Lee Voges – ZCMC Media

Brad Binder had to retire from a sensational 23-lap spectacle around the slick Barcelona racetrack today.

Catalunya represented the second Grand Prix on Spanish asphalt in 2023 and although the flowing and greasy surface of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosted MotoGP slightly later than the traditional June date, the temperatures remained high, the fans packed the stands and the world championship kept fast at the 355kmph mark.

Brad started from 9th on the start grid and with useful data accumulated from the Saturday Sprint where his solid 4th place finish was the highlight. The South African made the brighter getaway on Sunday afternoon and in breezy conditions as Miller avoided the first turn mess that blighted his Sprint efforts 24 hours earlier. However, he was unable to dodge the fallen Francesco Bagnaia out of Turn 2 that caused him to crash. The melee provoked an immediate red flag and a restart for a 23-lap run.

The RC16s were holding 6th and 7th in the restarted race until Brad had to stop due a mechanical glitch after three laps.

Brad stays 4th in the championship with a 23-point gap to 3rd, as the series now shuttles straight to Italy and the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini next weekend.

Brad Binder, DNF:

“A crazy afternoon. I had a really good launch but through the exit of Turn 2 I did not see a thing until I arrived to Pecco and his bike in the middle of the track. I clipped something on his bike, went to miss him and couldn’t. I ended up falling. Thank goodness I saw him moving, so I hope he is fine. We restarted the race, and I brought the last tire we had up to temperature but then we had a technical issue. My only priority today is that I did not seriously hurt anybody. As for the result; it is what it is.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

What Trademore Feeds SA Cross Country Final Round 6 Preview
Where Bloemfontein, Free State
When Saturday 9 September 2023
Community South Africa National

Bloemfontein hosts National Cross Country Finale

The 2023 Trademore South African Cross Country Championship comes down to an epic finale Be Human at Middelwater near Bloemfontein on Saturday 9 September. The exciting new event on spectacular Free State terrain will crown most of 2023’s champions as Davin Cocker’s OR2 Husqvarna, OR1 men Bradley Cox’s KTM and Michael Pentecost on a Honda, and newly crowned Senior champion Kerim Fitz-Gerald’s KTM arrive in mathematical contention for the hallowed overall crown. And KTM, Honda and Husqvarna will fight over the all-important Manufacturer’s championship.

Looking at the classes, overall leader and Husqvarna factory rider Davin Cocker has already wrapped up the 350 cc OR2 title, but the race is very much on for second between KTM four Kyle Eggar, brother and sister Scott and Leah Heygate and Juan Niebuhr, and Teak Harrower’s GasGas. It’s certainly not fait au compete in open class OR1, where Brother Leader Tread KTM lad Bradley Cox has Michael Pentecost and his Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda hot on his heels. Behind them come Honda duo Ian Rall and Hayden Louw, and Charles Reinhard-Kersop on his KTM.

The big fight is in 250cc OR3, where the title lead has changed hands throughout the season and four riders remain in contention. Honda lad Kyle Eggar holds a scant eight point advantage over Matthew Wilson’s Brother Leader Tread KTM with Haydn Cole’s Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda another four points adrift and Ryan Pelser’s factory Husqvarna ready to pick up the pieces. Also watch for Tyron Beverley and Noah Maartens’ Hondas, Myles Crookes’ KTM, Cobus Bester’s Husqvarna and Wian Wentzel’s Kawasaki among the 250s.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald has already wrapped this season’s Seniors title up on his Red Bull KTM, leaving comeback king Louwrens Mahoney and Wynand Delport’s Franchise Co Tork Craft Hondas and Marco Cocci’s Yamaha to fight for the places. Pepson Plastics Kawasaki man Pieter Holl has likewise already claimed the Masters title, where Husqvarna rider Wayne Farmer, Mielies Le Roux on a KTM, and Kobus Jonck’s Honda will fight over second.

Luke Walker leads title rivals Thomas Scales and Blake Young’s similar KTM in the 125 cc High School chase with Derek Karam on a Yamaha, and another KTM trio Brandon Clarke, Rory Donaldson, and Nathan Westerdale Daniel Peckham in chase. Murray Smith is already 85 Junior champion on his Franchise Co Tork Craft Husqvarna, with KTM lads Bruno Niebuhr, Franco Fourie and Drikus van der Merwe scrapping for second. GJ Coetzee’s Husqvarna is also home and dry in the 65 cc chase, with Wilco du Plooy, John Luke van der Westhuizen, Cambeul du Preez and Joshua Fotheringham struggling over second.

KTM arrives at Bloemfontein in the 2023 Trademore South African Cross Country Manufacturers Championship lead from Honda, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki. Cross Country officials are excited about the terrain and organization of the Bloemfontein finale and expect a thrilling result over the weekend.

Issued on behalf of SA Cross Country

What SA Cross Country Motorcycle Championship Round 6 Preview
Where Bloemfontein, Free State
When Saturday 9 September 2023
Community South Africa National

Team Red out to add to SA Cross Country successes

Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing heads to the Saturday 9 September’s Bloemfontein Trademore South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship finale looking to add more 2023 championship trophies to its cabinet while also chasing the big one, the 2023 Manufacturers title.

“Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing finds itself in a strong National Cross Country Championship position across the board,” team boss Harry Grobler explains. “In spite of 2023 being our team’s maiden season, we sit a strong second in the Manufacturer’s championship, we have already won the 85cc class, and we are in the chase for a few other class wins. So the objective is for every team member to finish with the best possible points scores this weekend.”

Looking at the classes, Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing is well represented in open Class OR1, where teammates Mike Pentecost and Gareth Cole’s CRF 450 RXs sit second and fourth in the championship chase, and Pentecost just nine points off that championship lead. They will be joined by Hayden Louw, who returns to OR1 duty after missing the last three rounds to injury, and OR3 graduate John Botha on his national open class debut.

The team also has a strong 250cc OR3 team competing in the Bloemfontein finale. Haydn Cole, Tyron Beverly, and young gun Noah Martens will be out on a trio of Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda CRF 250 RXs. A race winner at the KZN Dalton round earlier in the year, Cole remains in championship contention, just twelve points behind the class leader. Senior riders Louwrens Mahoney and Wynand Delport are meanwhile fighting it out for second and third in that class, and late starter, Kobus Jonk is chasing second in the Masters class.

Franchise Co Tork Craft Racing already has one 2023 Trademore MSA South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship trophy booked into the cabinet in the form of dominant 85cc lad Murray Smith, while class teammate Liam Scheepers has made a great impression in his campaign so far. The team’s other Junior entry, Johandre Vermaak has also enjoyed a solid season in the competitive 125 cc High School class.

“We have enjoyed a stunning racing season so far and Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing looks forward to finishing off the Trademore MSA South African National Cross Country Motorcycle championship off in style in Bloemfontein this weekend, Harry Grobler concludes. “Bring it home lads!”

*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