Port Elizabeth - A warm and dry day greeted the competitors at Rover MX as they gathered for the first event in the Monster Energy TRP Distributors SA MX Nationals.
There was tangible excitement in the air as riders got to grips with the track on their practice laps, with spectators and support crew watching closely.
The Rover event, forms the first event of the 7-event National Series, with events set to take place in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Krugersdorp, Maritzburg and Harrismith, with the final event venue yet to be confirmed. The next event will take place on April 2 at Zone 7 in Cape Town.
So with the Rover MC event being the first of the season, there were many riders out there who were anxious to get going, to open up the throttles on their finely-tuned bikes, and to get the feel of where their competitors were. There were some inspired performances, and everyone was going as hard as he or she could in the warm Port Elizabeth conditions.
Under the watchful eyes of knowledgeable commentator Len van der Westhuisen the first heat races got under way at 10:00, and it was full-tilt from the get-go. A snarl up on the first turn saw five riders down during the first heat MX 2 race, but order was soon restored and Kerim Fitzgerald (Gauteng) was looking solid.
Tristan Purdon (PE) was another rider showing great form from the start, banking an eventual third place overall in MX2 class, behind Kerim Fitzgerald (Gauteng) and Anthony Raynard (CT).
Raynard was one of the stand-outs, with a second place (MX1) and a first (MX2), while in the Ladies it was all about Brittany Cuthbert (Gauteng), who was streets ahead of her competition throughout the day.
The Rover Motorcycle Club, with its 50-year history, was a vibrant and festive venue, and the track and surrounds were packed with spectators, media and teams gearing up for heats.
The 50cc and high school divisions were well attended, and it is heartening to see the sport is in good hands going forward with so much junior involvement. Neil van der Vyver (Western Cape) was the winner of the 50cc class, Christiaan Cilliers (Gauteng) came out on top in the 85cc Juniors and the Pro Mini class was won by Cameron Duro (KZN) while the High School class was won by Port Elizabeth’s Keegan Hickson-Mahoney.
Final results:
MX1
1. Neville Bradshaw (UK)
2. Anthony Raynard (CT)
3. Richard VD Westhuizen (JHB)
MX2
1. Anthony Raynard (CT)
2. Kerim Fitzgerald (JHB)
3. Tristan Purdon (EC)
MX3
1. Ian Topliss (JHB)
2. Ryan Hunt
3. Stuart Laing (EC)
MX 50cc
1. Neil van der Vyver (CT)
2. Seth Young (Swaziland)
3. Jordan Dewdney
85cc Juniors
1. Christiaan Cilliers (JHB)
2. Ike Klaassen (CT)
3. Jonathan Mlimi (JHB)
Pro Mini
1. Cameron Durow (KZN)
2. Justin Sangster (CT)
3. Camden McLellan (JHB)
65 cc
1. Hayden Tulley (JHB)
2. Daiyaan Manuel
3. Tyler Tarantino
High School
1. Keegan Hickson Mahony (EC)
2. Seth van den Abeele (EC)
3. Slade Smith (JHB)
LADIES
1. Brittany Cuthbert (JHB)
2. Leah Heygate (Zambia)
3. Toni Jardine (JHB)
SENIOR SUPPORT
1. Mason Buist (KZN)
2. Theo Halgreen (EC)
3. Brandon Howden (EC)