The highly anticipated third round of the National Motocross Championship takes riders to Welkom this weekend. On a track infamous for its unforgiving soil and deep ruts, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will battle it out in what will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting rounds of the season.

Leading the charge in both the MX1 and MX2 Class respectively is the team’s 2021 recruit David Goosen. The rider has wasted no time establishing himself as force to be reckoned with on his new Husqvarna machines this season and will line-up with less than 10 points separating him from the top of the MX1 leader board.

While his consistent podium results have put him in a prime position to fight for the prestigious national title, Goosen makes it clear that his sights are fixed on nothing less than victory this season:

“I know that consistency is key and that we’re still very early into the championship, but I want to start banging out some wins soon. I’m really enjoying pushing the pace on my Husqvarna machines and we’re in a really good position to fight for both championships. We’re not miles off and will keep getting better. I have a clear game plan going into this round and want to be closer to the front of the race,” said Goosen.

With a third place in the MX2 championship at this point of the season, Goosen mentions “having the most work to do” in this class by his own high standard. While he was happy with his pace and fitness in the last round, the rider hopes to tap into new levels of confidence and speed this weekend.

Also preparing to fight his way to the front of his class is Rockstar Energy Husqvarna teammate Neil van der Vyver. The young gun has been dealt his fair share of blows this season. Husqvarna Brand Manager Fred Fensham explained: “Neil has certainly had the pace this season but just has not had any luck on his side. I have no doubt he will come back stronger this round!”

Undaunted by the Welkom event’s unforgiving reputation, Van der Vyver rates the track as one of his favourites. He commented: “Welkom is one of my favourite tracks – I really like how bumpy the soil gets! I’ve done really well here in the past and I hope I can keep that ball rolling and get back onto the podium.”

While many of the challenges that Van der Vyver has faced this season have been beyond his control, the rider has placed a laser focus on the areas he feels he can improve in. Since the first round, Van der Vyver mentions working particularly hard on his starts and consistency.

Published by: Fred Fensham

The wait is over…

Red Bull KTM are gearing up for the next stop on the National Motocross calendar. The highly anticipated third round of the championship takes place in Welkom on Saturday, 22 May, and the orange squad will line-up with three championship leads to defend.

Taking centre stage is motocross star Tristan Purdon, who has been a war path from the moment the gates dropped this season. With a determination to defend his 2020 title, the rider has maintained a winning streak in both the MX1 and MX2 Class respectively.

Purdon has been following a specific training regime to maintain the fitness he built up for the last round in Port Elizabeth. He mentions running the Red Bull Wings for Life event as a build-up to the race this weekend and feeling confident about his fitness level. In addition, he has spent extra time with his mechanic, Kevin Tyrer, to make sure his bike is completely dialled in.

“We’re in for a tough round this weekend. The Welkom track always gets rough and you’re roosted quite badly when you’re behind someone, so goggle preparation is key. Kevin and I have placed extra focus on suspension for this round – he always puts so much work into making sure my KTM 450 and 250 SX-F are fully prepared for the type of track we need to race. I can’t wait to get out there and keep this winning momentum going,” said Purdon.

At the top of the reputable list of MX2 riders that Purdon will be up against this weekend is his Red Bull KTM teammate Cameron Durow. The youngster wasted no time in shaking off his rookie status as he stepped into the prestigious class this season. With only 16-points separating him from the top step of the leader board, Durow will undoubtedly pull out all the stops on Saturday.

As no stranger to the Welkom track, Durow commented: “The Welkom track is really unique because it generally starts off quite muddy and dries up by the time the first race comes around. By the last heat, the soil becomes quite hardpack and it feels like you’ve raced three tracks in one day! I’m so excited to battle it out with my teammate – my training has been consistent and I’m working really hard to get a win this season.”

High School Class hero Jonathan Mlimi will have a target on his back this weekend as he lines-up with the highly sought-after red plate. The rider has been dealt his fair share of blows this season but has fought his way to the front of his class to open a three-point lead on his closest competitor.

“It’s always a good feeling to line up with the red plate – but I can’t get complacent. It’s only the third round into a long season, so the focus is to get the maximum points I can on the day. My bike setup is feeling good – we’ve changed to hardpack tyres and made a few suspension adjustments. I’m really looking forward to getting out there!” said Mlimi.

Rounding out the squad with yet another red plate is young gun Trey Cox. As one of the team’s newest recruits, Cox has made it clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the fight for the Pro Mini Championship. With a two-point lead in his class, Cox is in for a bar-to-bar battle this weekend as he looks to snatch up every championship point he can get.

Published by: Louwrens Mahoney – KTM Motorcycles SA

SA Motocross star Tristan the man to beat in Welkom

What    South African National Motocross Round 3 Preview
Where    Phakisa Freeway, Welkom, Free State
When    Saturday 22 May 2021
Community    South Africa National

The question on everyone’s lips as the Cannabis Energy Drink & TRP Distributors South African National Motocross Championship heads to the Phakisa Freeway in the Free State town of Welkom is, can anyone stop Tristan Purdon. The Cathcart rider holds a championship advantage in both the MX1 and MX2 racing after two rounds, so the Red Bull KTM man is without the centre of attention leading up to the 22 May races.

Purdon leads David Goosen’s Rockstar Energy Drink Husqvarna hero by eight points in open class MX1, with Anthony Raynard’s Tinswalo Yamaha also in close contention. Behind them, Yamaha rider Jesse Wright and Cross Country star Bradley Cox on a KTM and Husqvarna duo Seth van den Abeele’ and Royce Griffin are also well worth keeping an eye on.

Purdon has double the points advantage in 250cc MX2 thanks to Camden McLellan popping home from his international duties to stir up the pot last time out. Purdon’s Red Bull KTM teammate Cameron Durow finds himself in a tight three-way fight for second in the quarter-litre championship, with David Goosen’s Rockstar Husqvarna, Yamaha trio Anthony Raynard, Dalton Venter and Christiaan Celliers and Mark Carty’s KTM all in close pursuit.

Over 30s man Grant Frerichs’ Yamaha has a clear MX3 title advantage over Dwayne Kleynhans’ KTM. He has over 40s leader Ian Topliss’ Yamaha all over his back, while Honda rider Bruce Viljoen and Jaco Smit on a KTM arrive in Welkom tied in fourth. But keep an eye on Ryan Frerichs who impressed on a Yamaha last time out.

There’s somewhat of an upset in Ladies Motocross, where KTM lass Leah Heygate leads the eternally dominant Kayla Raaff and her Kawasaki on a count-back as those two arrive at Phakisa tied on championship points. Watch out for Husqvarna mounted de Lima sisters Jadene and Cheyenna and Kawaski lass Dakota Grobbellar among the girls too.

It’s also almost too close to call in 125cc High School Motocross too, where Jonathan Mlimi’s KTM heads for Welkom with all of a three-point championship advantage over Miguel de Waal’s similar machine and the consistent Husqvarna lad Luke Grundy and quick Ethan Hoffman’s Yamaha in hot pursuit. Don’t ignore KTM riders Stav Orland, Barend du Toit and Blake Young, or Hayden Tully’s Yamaha among this lot either.

It’s just as close in 85cc Pro Mini, where six points split Trey Cox’s KTM, Gas Gas rider Emmanuel Bako and Jordan van Wyk on Husqvarna in that championship chase. None of them can rest easy though, with the likes of Neil van der Vyver, Wiaan du Plooy and Liam Botha’s Husqvarnas and Alon Orland’s KTM breathing down their necks.

KTM kids Tyler Petersen and Matthew Correia are meanwhile tied in the lead of the 85cc Junior title chase ahead of the consistent Caden Wiese’s Husqvarna and KTM kids Andrew Venter and Ashton Martin. But all of them will be wary of another KTM kid Andrea Mynhardt, who took a splendid double win last time out and is not far off in the title chase.

The super-competitive 65cc Juniors have been a little controversial this year, but it’s Husqvarna lad Jack Pullen who leads that championship chase into the Free State. Blade Tilley is second for Gas Gas, with Blake Frost’s KTM and Aiden Henley’s Yamaha next up and Nicol Smit and Alex Cooper’s Husqvarnas and KTM kids Trent Valsecchi and Evan Frost all in the mix.

Trenton Kretzmann leads the baby 50cc MX title chase on a Husqvarna with Rayden Woolls’ Gas Gas keeping him honest. KTM gang Aiden Retief, Ross MacKenzie, Maxwell Fourie and Casper van Zyl are in hot pursuit, with Brody Bircher the dark horse in the South African Motocross kindergarten.

Spectators remain banned from racing, but the Phakisa races will be live streamed on the MX Nationals South Africa Facebook page on Saturday 22 May.

The 2021 South African National Motocross Championship is proudly presented by Motorsport South Africa in partnership with Cannabis Energy Drink, TRP Distributors, Prepsol, Bridgestone, Thor, Gaerne, FMF, Pro Taper, 100%, Fly Racing, Ogio, Bandit Graffix and the Race Shop.

Issued on behalf of SA Motocross

Photography by:  Ruben Louw

For 35 years the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto has not only been one of the staple Grand Prix venues for motorcycling racing but also a popular and useful layout for testing. The familiarity of the 4.4km layout delivered some close and fascinating action throughout practice and qualification with often hundredths of a second splitting the majority of the grid.

The Gran Premio Red Bull de España began in sunny and warm conditions but in significantly lower temperatures compared to the 40 degree ‘burner’ of 2020. Brad Binder made a reasonable start from 11th on the grid and the fourth row but lost front wheel traction into the second turn of the second lap and crashed. He was able to remount and tried to catch the pack in the effort to salvage some points but another slow speed tumble at Turn 13 ended his day.

MotoGP stays in Jerez for a one-day IRTA test on Monday and travels next to the historic Le Mans circuit for the Shark Grand Prix de France on May 16th.

Brad Binder:
“I felt great in warm-up this morning and then made a good start in the race but unfortunately going into Turn 2 on the second lap it looks like I was a bit too relaxed, got on the brakes at the wrong moment and when I tipped into the corner the front just washed out. It’s a good lesson for the future to ignore where you are in the pack and keep your marks. It’s also disappointing because I had good pace all weekend and I felt good. We could have done a decent job today. Sorry to the team because they worked well all through the GP and they deserved a result.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder set the 11th fastest lap for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España and the first of four events on the Spanish mainland this season. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto has been staging Grand Prix for almost four decades and the short but demanding mix of fast and tight corners was another intense challenge for the MotoGP grid.

Compared to the 2020 round at the same venue twelve months ago the fourth fixture of MotoGP began in bright but cooler conditions. Brad sprung out of the pitbox to set the fastest lap in Free Practice 1 and both the South African and teammate Miguel Oliveira remained in contention for direct Q2 entry throughout Friday.

Brad suffered a crash in the entry to Turn 5 during FP3 on Saturday morning and the tumble meant he didn’t have enough time to improve. The session was incredibly close and saw the top ten separated by less than two tenths of a second.

The 15-minute Q1 dash took place in the warmest but windiest climate of the weekend and Brad set a rapid 1min 37.3 on his third attempt to sit in the first two slots for most of the period. He moved through to Q2 and the chance for a better grid position but was limited by the remaining tire choice in his allocation. He ended Saturday’s action with 11th meaning the fourth row and five positions ahead of teammate Oliveira in 16th.

Brad Binder:
“Today was a bit up and down. I felt really quite good in FP3 but made a big mistake while trying to change my line in Turn 5 and missed my braking marker by a mile. It was quite a big crash but luckily nothing serious and all is fine. Q1 was OK but difficult to make a quick, single lap and then in Q2 I had only one new tire left, so I was pretty happy with the lap I could make in the circumstances. In FP4 we had tried a few things on the bike and some worked and others didn’t but it was great to use that session in a positive way and understand some things for Sunday. Overall, I’m really happy. I think our pace for tomorrow is very good, especially for the end of the race.”

Published by: https://bradbinder33.com