What South African Cross Country Moto Round 3 Preview
Where Ganyesa, Northwest Province
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National

Cross Country Nationals head for Ganyesa

It’s all to play for as the Trademore South African Cross Country Championship limbers up to its annual desert race at Excelsior Farm at Ganyesa north of Vryburg this weekend. Davin Cocker’s OR2 Husqvarna and OR1 KTM rider Bradley Cox arrive in the Northwest tied in the championship lead, but under pressure from Seniors’ sensation Kerim Fitz-Gerald and his KTM, and Honda rider Michael Pentecost.

OR2 man Scott Heygate sits sixth in the overall title chase on his KTM, ahead of OR3 leaders, Honda lads Haydn Cole and Erik Merry. Second OR1 man, Gareth Cole is next up on his Honda from High School leader Luke Walker, and OR3 riders, Kawasaki lad Wian Wentzel, and Ryan Pelser’s Husqvarna. Pieter Holl leads Masters for Kawasaki, while Murray Smith tops the Junior pops on his Husqvarna.

The opening two races saw a typical Gauteng route at the Legends opener before a far more technical challenge at Jolivet in KZN. Pending dry conditions, Ganyesa brings a different challenge in the Kalahari semi-desert. That said, freezing and wet conditions wreaked havoc in last year’s race there, so anything can still happen

It’s between Bradley Cox on his Brother Leader Tread KTM and Michael Pentecost in open class 450cc OR1. They will have the closest attentions of Honda trio, Pentecost’s Franchise Co Tork Craft teammate Gareth Cole, Ian Rall, and Hayden Louw. Factory Husqvarna racer Davin Cocker is the 350cc OR2 man to beat with two wins in two races so far. Scott Heygate, fellow KTM riders Kyle Eggar, sister Leah Heygate, Juan Niebuhr, and Teak Harrower on a GasGas will present his toughest opposition.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald has been in sensational Seniors’ form on his KTM this season, as his overall championship third suggests. But he has Honda duo, comeback king Louwrens Mahoney and Wynand Delport, Marco Cocci on a Yamaha and the late starting 2022 champion Kenny Gilbert’s Kawasaki on his case. Masters has been all about Pieter Holl and his Kawasaki in 2023, but Mielies Le Roux on a KTM, Husqvarna rider Wayne Farmer and Brian Bontekoning’s Kawasaki, among others, will have other ideas.

Luke Walker leads Thomas Scales’ similar KTM in the 125 cc high school chase. They have Sherco duo, Daniel Peckham and Blake Young, KTM trio Brandon Clarke, Rory Donaldson and Nathan Westerdale, and Derek Karam on a Yamaha to cope with too. Murray Smith leads the 85 Junior chase on his Franchise Co Tork Craft Husqvarna from Franco Fourie’s KTM, Corbin Muller’s Husqvarna and KTM kids Mackenzie Bam and Drikus van der Merwe.

GJ Coetzee is the 65 cc lad to beat on his Husqvarna, which is precisely what KTM gang Zach Wichmann, Cambeul du Preez and Joshua Fotheringham, Matthew Meyer on a GasGas, and Wilco du Plooy’s Yamaha intend to do. Honda arrives at Ganyesa in the 2023 Trademore South African Cross Country Manufacturers Championship lead just 10 points clear of KTM, with Husqvarna fighting Kawasaki for third ahead of Sherco, Yamaha and GasGas.

Issued on behalf of SA Cross Country

Photography by: Michaela Ramseyer

What Trademore Feeds SA Cross Country Round 3 Preview
Where Ganyesa, Northwest Province
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National

SA Cross Country leaders ready for desert duel

Overall manufacturers championship leaders, Honda Wing Racing, and the Franchise Co Tork Craft team head for Ganyesa near Vryburg in the Northwest with one intention in mind. To consolidate that advantage and come back even stronger in the various classes it competes in.

“The Honda Wing Racing team leads way in the Trademore South African Cross Country title chase as our Franchise Co Tork Craft team prepares for this weekend’s Ganyesa National,” Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing team boss Harry Grobler explains. “Not only that, but Haydn Cole leads a Honda 1-2 in the 250cc OR3 title chase, Murray Smith is ahead in 85cc Juniors, and Mike Pentecost and Gareth Cole sit second and third in 450cc OR1.

“Ganyesa is a desert race, which also suits our riders who enjoy fast, sandy racing, so we are ready to race in territory we love. “Haydn, Murray, Mike, and Gareth will be joined by Tyron Beverley and John Botha in OR3, we have Louwrens Mahoney out in Seniors and Liam Scheepers in the 85 Juniors. “Warrick van Schalkwyk is out for the year so we have drafted Kobus Jonk in to spice it up in Masters.”

Mike Pentecost, Haydn, and Gareth Cole took the past weekend off, while some other team members took the opportunity to get some last minute practice in at the GXCC Gauteng regional on Saturday. Louwrens Mahoney took a close second in Seniors, while Tyron Beverley was fourth, and John Botha sixth in OR3. Kobus Jonck meanwhile got to grips with his new steed with a great ride in Masters.

“We are enjoying a great season so far and Franchise Co Tork Craft Honda Wing Racing is locked and loaded for the weekend’s Trademore SA Cross Country Motorcycle National double header at Ganyesa near Vryburg, Harry Grobler concluded. “Give it horns guys, let’s do this!”

*Honda Wing 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 Trademore Feeds SA Cross Country Round 3 Preview
Where Ganyesa, Northwest Province
When Saturday 17 June 2023
Community South Africa National

Small, sharp Pepson Plastics Kawasaki team for Ganyesa

Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Factory Kawasaki Racing is sending a small, sharp team to round 3 of the 2023 Trademore South African Cross Country Racing championship at Ganyesa this weekend, following another successful Gauteng GXCC outing at Radium over the past weekend.

“We head to our annual desert race at Excelsior Farm at Ganyesa north of Vryburg in the Northwest off another very good outing at the Radium GXCC on Saturday,” Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Factory Kawasaki Racing team boss Iain Pepper confirmed. “We will be taking a smaller team than usual to the National for a few reasons, but we arrive with a strong attack in various classes.

Kenny Gilbert, who won Seniors at Radium on Saturday, Masters winner there and National leader Pieter Holl will head our Ganyesa attack. They will be joined by Ryan Angilley, who returns to OR3 after injury, Jayden Boyce in 125 High School, and Jake Pretorius in Junior 85. Taki Bogiages is injured, Wian Wentzel is writing university exams and Jaycee Nienaber will miss this one.”

Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Factory Kawasaki rider Pieter Holl has enjoyed a brilliant season so far and arrives at Ganyesa in a strong Masters championship lead off another regional win last weekend. Seniors’ teammate Kenny Gilbert also won his Senior regional class over the weekend, but he has a tougher task in the national having misdeed the first round and ending second in the second race.

Comeback rider Ryan Angilley is Pepson Plastics Kawasaki’s sole rider in OR3 this weekend. Teammate Wian Wentzel may be indisposed for the National weekend but he enjoyed a strong second in OR3 in the past weekend’s regional. Jaycee Nienaber was also third in OR1 at three Radium regional, where Lee Thompson came home fourth in Seniors too.

“We have a small but sharp Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Factory Kawasaki contingent heading to the desert,” Iain Pepper concluded. “We wish them all the very best of luck. Bring that silverware home guys!”

*Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki Factory Racing salutes Gilberts Mining & Engineering, the Reinhardt Transport Group, Michelin, Arai, Bikewise, Acerbis and Renthal handlebars for their support.

Issued on behalf of Kawasaki Cross Country

Photography by: Action in Motion

16-year-old Ruche Moodley from Port Elizabeth is making waves on the international motorcycle racing circuit by coming in third overall in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at Le Mans earlier this month, thereby achieving his first podium position in the series.

Vic Maharaj, Motorsport South Africa Sporting Services Manager, says that Ruche’s performance at Le Mans marked him out as definitely a talent to watch.

Ruche started racing when he was just five years old and his dad Arushen, a champion himself, winning both the South African National Superbike championship and the UAE Superbike championship, bought him a PW50.  He started racing motocross and eventually started road racing.  Competing in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is definitely the place to be for any aspiring World Champions and those that wish for Grand Prix glory can do no better than compete in this series.

Commenting on his journey, Ruche says, “My parents always supported me since I started racing. My dad has a good racing background and so I learnt a lot from him. My dad has played a very big part in my career and funds my racing which I am very grateful for.”

His racing heroes are Brad Binder, Darryn Binder, Marc Marquez and of course his dad and his dream is to become a MotoGP World Champion. Brad in fact was in Le Mans this month and on hand to give the young star some advice and show him some lines as it was his first time out at Le Mans.

Commenting on the jump between local racing and international racing, Ruche says the level in international racing is super high and everyone is “really fast”.  He says there are also a lot more riders on the grid, explaining that in the European Talent Cup for example, there are 54 riders that are split into two groups. Only 15 riders from each group qualify for the main race. “The racing is very close and during the race there are very big groups as everyone races at a similar pace. It was difficult at first because local racing has a lot less riders so I have had to learn to get comfortable with five riders going together into a corner for example,” says Ruche. 

He says it really helps to train with other riders that have a lot of experience. “During the pre-season I stayed with Moto 2 World Championship rider, Alonso Lopez, and I  learnt so much from him.  I also train occasionally with the Binders when they are available. We do physical training like gym and cycling and lots of riding on the track,” he says.

Ruche is a firm believer if you want to succeed in this game you must never give up and never stop dreaming – even if you are going through a difficult time.  And success is definitely something within this young man’s grasp. Currently spending nine months of the year abroad and just three months in South Africa, he is getting a wealth of overseas experience competing against these more experienced and seasoned riders. “We wish Ruche every success this year and will be keeping a close eye on him and the other talented young riders that are flying our SA colours so high,” concludes Maharaj.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MSA BY CATHY FINDLEY PR

MotoGP scorched around one of the fastest and most picturesque race circuits in the world for round six of twenty in 2023 and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were lively players for the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. Brad Binder and teammate Jack Miller rocketed their record-breaking KTM RC16 to 5th and 7th respectively at a sunny Mugello.

Thankfully, the heavy Italian rainfall that coated Mugello late on Saturday afternoon had dissipated for race day and as the popular Tuscan venue welcomed the best attendance of the weekend. Less than 24hrs after blazing to record-breaking feats along the sweeping 1.1km straight, Red Bull KTM took to the track with Brad in the 10th slot on the grid.

Across 23 laps it was Brad who was able to move through the order, and after the initial cut and thrust of action where Miller was a protagonist. The South African circulated just out of reach of the tussle for the final spot of the podium but Brad’s 5th represented his second-best classification of the year. Jack had his hands full in a duel for 7th but made sure of the position.

Brad gained 11 points to hold 4th in the overall championship standings, and now with a margin of 15 to 3rd spot. KTM Factory Racing are currently the 3rd best team, according to the 2023 rankings, and the manufacturer lies 2nd in the Constructors table.

Brad Binder, 5th:

“Quite happy with 5th place today considering we started in 10th but we want more! We had a stronger main race today compared to the Sprint yesterday where we lost the opportunity to make more points. I would say our highlight of the weekend is the fact that our guys have built a rocket! It’s working well and we cannot argue with the top speed. Going forward we have some small details to work on and I think we’ll be stronger than what we were today.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com