Mud, Grit and Double Wins
Race report and photos by Deon vdl Photography.
Dark skies and the threat of rain weren’t enough to keep the riders away, as competitors rolled into ERORA for Round 3 of the Inland MX Championship. The conditions were far from ideal, but that only added to the spectacle, mud, ruts, close racing and a fair share of chaos made for a properly entertaining day of motocross.
50cc & 65cc
Small Bikes, Big Heart
In the 50cc class, it was a case of one rider versus the elements, with #117 Silas Preston braving the conditions solo to take the overall win.
The 65cc class delivered far more action. #20 Luan Jordaan stamped his authority early, controlling both heats with composure and pace. Despite pressure from the chasing pack, he kept things tidy out front to secure a convincing overall victory. Behind him, #38 Hayden Kasser and #285 Reghardt Miljo rounded out the podium after consistent rides.
Overall Results.
50cc.
1st #117 Silas Preston
65cc.Â
1st #20 Luan Jordaan
2nd #38 Hayden Kasser
3rd #285 Reghardt Miljo
MX1 & MX Support
Smith Sets the Standard
The MX1 class saw #337 Slade Smith in dominant form. From the moment the gates dropped, he was sharp, aggressive and in control, fending off #746 Adriano Catalano in both heats to secure a clean double win. #136 Mark Anthony Filip backed it up with two solid third-place finishes.
In MX Support, #777 Josh Eccles was just as impressive. After taking control in Heat 1, he backed it up with another calculated ride in Heat 2, navigating the ruts with precision to take the overall. #303 Damyon Taljaard and #128 Jordan Moore completed the podium.
Overall Results.
MX1.
1st #337 Slade Smith
2nd #746 Adriano Catalano
3rd #136 Mark Anthony Filip
MX Support.
1st #777 Josh Eccles
2nd #303 Damyon Taljeerd
3rd #128 Jordan Moore
125cc
Ledwaba Takes ChargeÂ
The 125cc class produced one of the standout battles of the day. #3 Asher Brown grabbed the early advantage, but #280 Kabelo Ledwaba steadily reeled him in before making a decisive pass. From there, Ledwaba never looked back, securing both heat wins and the overall. #258 Armandt Miljo’s consistency earned him 2nd overall, with Brown settling for 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #280 Kabelo Ledwaba
2nd #258 Armandt Miljo
3rd #3 Asher Brown
MX4 Ladies
Ladies Bring the Fight
The MX4 Ladies class was anything but processional. #55 Gabriella Olivier and #422 Kirsten Santillan traded blows across the two heats, each taking a win. Santillan’s consistency gave her the overall, with Olivier in 2nd and #17 Misha Bukes completed the podium after staying in the fight throughout.
Overall Results.
1st #422 Kirsten Santillan
2nd #55 Gabriella Olivier
3rd #17 Misha Bukes
MX3 Masters & Grand Masters
Experience Counts
In the MX3 Masters, #28 Callan Theron was in a league of his own, controlling both heats to take a commanding overall win. Behind him, #187 Ty Taylor kept things consistent for 2nd, while #58 Warrick Peeters edged onto the podium.
The Grand Masters class belonged to #159 Adrian Maguire, who found his rhythm early and stayed there, sweeping both heats. #110 Franzel Martin and #7 Gary Killian followed him home in 2nd and 3rd overall.
Overall Results.
Masters.
1st #28 Callan Theron
2nd #187 Ty Taylor
3rd #58 Warrick Peeters
Grand Masters.Â
1st #159 Adrian Maguire
2nd #110 Franzel Martin
3rd #7 Gary Killian
MX2 & MX Vets
Another Double for Smith
Backing up his MX1 performance, Slade Smith returned in MX2 and did it all over again. Fast, precise and untouchable on the day, he secured yet another double victory. #74 Cole Meyer improved in the second heat to claim 2nd overall, while #3 Asher Brown added another podium to his tally with 3rd.
In the MX Vets, consistency paid off for #36 Astin Allin, whose win in Heat 2 secured him the overall. #22 Sarel Prinsloo and #38 Ryan Mileham followed in 2nd and 3rd respectively
Overall Results.
MX2.
1st #337 Slade Smith
2nd #74 Cole Meyer
3rd #3 Asher Brown
MX Vets.
1st #36 Astin Allin
2nd #22 Sarel Prinsloo
3rd #38 Ryan Mileham
85cc Junior & Pro
Close Battles and Young Talent
The 85cc Junior class may have had only two riders, but it delivered one of the closest finishes of the day. #199 Nicky Kasser edged out #413 Rocco Kapp by just 0.167 seconds in Heat 1, then Kasser backed it up in Heat 2 to seal the overall.
In 85cc Pro, the honours were split between #312 Qhamani Thu and #40 Henrico Barwise, but Barwise’s stronger second heat gave him the overall victory. #19 Tommy Wotherspoon remained consistent to take 3rd
Overall Results.
85cc JNR.
1st #199 Nicky Kasser
2nd #413 Rocco Kapp
85cc Pro.
1st #40 Henrico Barwise
2nd #312 Qhamani Thu
3rd #19 Tommy Wotherspoon
With mud-covered bikes and tired riders, Round 3 delivered exactly what motocross is all about, grit, determination and no shortage of action. The championship now heads back to ERORA for Round 4 on 16 May, where the battles are set to continue.
