With only just over a week to go before this year’s edition of “The Mother of Hard Enduro” (9 – 12 Nov) the excitement is palpable as competitors and their support teams make their final preparations for the daunting challenge of the Maloti Mountains.

As official lubricant partner of the 2022 Roof, Motul will be supplying their 710 2T lubricant to the event organisers for use by all riders taking part in the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron classes. They will also be establishing a station at each of the unassisted service points during the race offering emergency product support (including Motul lubricants, coolants and other products).

Motul will also be sponsoring the Bike Wash station under the watchful eye of long-time Roof collaborator Craig Kruger of Extreme Clean and his local team. The three 5 000L tanks will subsequently be donated to the local community by supplier Eco Tanks, as in previous years.

“Whatever the weather – and it’s almost impossible to predict – the bikes are certain to pick up a great deal of mud or dust which can impact their performance. The Bike Wash facility offers a respite from the tough Roof conditions for professional riders and amateur enthusiasts alike, and we’ll be using Motul’s biodegradable bike wash throughout,” commented Kruger.

“Supporting all the participants at this year’s Roof, from the professionals to the weekend warriors, gives us a chance to get closer to the riding community and motorsports fans. It’s also a great way to put our range of premium lubricants through their paces under some extremely challenging conditions – we’re excited to showcase our products in this way,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

This year, Roof fans can once again get close to the action, whether at the official Start/Finish point at the renowned Bushman’s Pass, or at the various viewing areas throughout the mountains of Lesotho.

For Enduro enthusiasts, the highlight will be watching a strong field of international riders challenge defending champion Wade Young (riding for the Sherco Factory Team powered by Motul) as he seeks to retain his title and come a step closer to equalling Alfie Cox’s record total of nine Roof wins.

“We’re excited to see Wade ride the latest 2023 Sherco 300 SE Factory edition. It’s the ultimate extreme Enduro weapon straight out of the box and another reason why there are over 25 Sherco bikes in the starting line-up this year,” commented Ben Du Toit from Sherco South Africa. “As always, we are offering all Sherco riders a comprehensive support package that includes tyre fitment, spares availability and race prep at the end of each day,” he added. This year’s Roof will see the continuation of the Sherco/Motul 360-degree global partnership, first announced in 2020.

For all the latest Roof news and views in the run-up to the event, visit: https://roofofafrica.co.ls/

To learn more about Motul’s product range and commitment to motorsports sponsorship, visit https://www.motul.com/za/en

ABOUT MOTUL
Motul is a world-class French company with 169 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.

Published by:  Listen Up – Adilia Joubert

What Trademore Feeds SA Cross Country Round 7 Preview
Where Virginia Trails, KZN
When Saturday 15 October 2022
Community South Africa National

Trademore champions will be crowned at Virginia Trails National

The Trademore Group South African Cross Country Championship returns to KwaZulu Natal and Virginia Trails for its championship deciding final round Saturday 15 October, with the odds-on favourite looking to complete another National Championship Cross Country and Enduro double.

Home province hero and multiple South African dirtbike champion Brett Swanepoel and his factory OR2 Husqvarna have one hand on the title as he arrives at Virginia Trails with a sixteen-point overall championship advantage. All Brett needs to do to clinch the title, his second historic SA Cross Country and Enduro double in three years, is to finish behind his only championship threat, Zambian OR2 rival Scott Heygate and his Brother Leader Tread KTM.

Third overall, Tork Craft CIT Kawasaki rider Mike Pentecost is all of a single championship point away from clinching a back-to-back OR1 title. He has to beat Sleepover Tork Craft CIT Honda duo Hayden Louw and Gareth Cole to take the open class. Cole has to win and Pentecost not to finish to take it, as that would take it back to a count-back of wins. All of them must however first beat reigning overall champion Bradley Cox, fresh from a stunning run in Morocco, on his Brother Leader Tread KTM, and factory Husqvarna rider Michael Docherty. As well as Kawasaki trio, Jaycee Nienaber, Tyron Beverley, and Wade Den.

Brett Swanepoel and Scott Heygate also have more than enough to keep them busy in the 350 cc OR2 class this weekend. KTM quartet, not least of all former motocross champion Kerim Fitz-Gerald’s Red Bull Machine, which still remains in the class championship hunt, Erik Merry, Juan Niebuhr and Kyle Eggar are all ready to pounce. It is however far closer in 250cc OR2…

KTM duo, Brother Leader Tread rider Matthew Wilson and Ryan Pelser are separated by all of a point, with Taki Bogiages’ Pepson Motul Kawasaki, Sleepover Tork Craft Honda lad Peter Karam also both very much in title contention. But it’s not that simple. Never ignore John Botha’s Tork Craft CIT Kawasaki, and with factory Husqvarna rider Davin Cocker and Haydn Cole on his Sleepover Tork Craft Honda both returning after being sidelined by injury, anything can happen in the quarter-litre class.

Moving on to the Seniors, Kenny Gilbert has already clinched the title on his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki. He should have Marco Cocci’s Yamaha, Wade Blaauw on a Sleepover Tork Craft CIT Honda, and Ockert Swart and Alain du Toit Husqvarnas for company in KZN. It’s super-close in the Masters however, where Mielies Le Roux on a KTM, Warrick van Schalkwyk’s CIT Tork Craft Kawasaki and Husqvarna men, Greg Nairn and Wayne Farmer are all still well in title contention

It’s also still tight in the junior classes, although Husqvarna rider Wian Wentzel is just two points away from clinching High School 125 title after KTM lad Ross Ramseyer retired from the last race. Also watch for Derek Karam and Nathan Westerside’s KTMs Husqvarna pair Cobus Bester and Joss Alexander’s Husqvarna there. Brandon Clarke’s Husqvarna and Bruno Niebuhr and Murray Smith’s KTMs are all still in the 85cc Junior title frame, and watch for GJ Coetzee’s Husqvarna, Jake Pretorius’ Kawasaki, Matthew Meyer on a Gas Gas and Liam Scheepers’ Husqvarna in the Interprovincial 65s.

All of which leads to the conclusion that Trademore Group South African Cross Country will crown all its new Champions at Virginia Trails on Saturday 15 October. Find more details and info at www.saxcnationals.co.za.

Issued on behalf of Trademore SA Cross Country