Teza, near Richards Bay is considered one of the most challenging tracks in the country with both hard-packed and sandy sections as well as big elevation changes. The track was supremely well prepped – you could not ask for a better day for racing. Sunny skies, almost no wind and the best racers in SA.
The day was dominated by the European bikes.
The KTM squad rose to the occasion, showcasing a combination of experience, teamwork, and raw talent with a total of 16 podiums, Husqvarna 5, GASGAS 4.
Yamaha had 3 riders on the steps.
Race report as per race order.
Pics by BrodalkaPhotography.
MX50cc.
Race 1 – With the youngsters up first, the action started early. The reigning champ and championship points leader #1 Riley Geldenhuys had to work hard as #34 Joshua-Zion Naude was not going to go down without a fight. Naude who is second in the championship gave Geldenhuys no breathing room as these two duked it out. At the end Geldenhuys took the win with Naude in 2nd and #117 Trey Dean in 3rd.
Race 2 – Naude again looking strong gave Geldenhuys a tough time as they rocked back and forth. As the chequered flag came out it was Geldenhuys who took his second win with Naude not far behind to take 2nd, with a good day of racing of his own #20 Luan Jordaan crossed in 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #1 Riley Geldenhuys – KTM
2nd #34 Joshua-Zion Naude – KTM
3rd #20 Luan Jordaan – KTM
MX3 & Vets (combined)
Race 1 – Out in full force to keep his lead in the championship #135 Dean Wheeler did what he always does, get himself in the lead and just keeps on going. Wheeler took a comfortable win, #121 Jonathan Hubbard a Vets rider did well as he got 2nd with #99 Levi Doherty finishing 3rd.
In Race 2 – Hubbard suddenly went down hard and could not continue and gave his spot to Doherty. With Wheeler still up in front, too far to be caught he took another win, Doherty took 2nd and #15 Jonathan du Plooy in 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #135 Dean Wheeler – Yamaha
2nd #99 Levi Doherty – Yamaha
3rd #15 Jonathan du Plooy – KTM
MX Senior Support (raced with MX3 & Vets)
Race 1 – With so much action happening all over the track the details of the Seniors are a bit vague. One thing we do know for certain is that #73 Brandon Wheeler had unmatched pace in his class as he took 1st place,.#198 Adam Bac took 2nd with #100 Sean Strunkheide in 3rd.
Race 2 – was a repeat with Wheeler taking early class lead and riding it out to take the flag in 1st. #198 Bac took 2nd with Strunkheide making it another 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #73 Brandon Wheeler – KTM
2nd #198 Adam Bac – Husqvarna
3rd #100 Sean Strunkheide – KTM
125cc High School & Supermini.
The Supermini class saw only one rider entry #300 Trent Valsecchi.
125cc High School.
In Race 1, 20 Riders lined up behind the gate waiting to be released one could feel the tension. #16 Kade van Deventer and the KTM Factory Rider #37 Trey Cox chased #21 Emmanuel Bako who got the holeshot. Van Deventer took the lead with Cox hot on his tail, but a crash saw both van Deventer and Cox go down.
This was a welcome sight for #444 Tristan Durow who claimed the lead and 1st place. An unbelievable run from Cox after his crash had him cross the line in 2nd 0.820sec behind Durow #268 Ryan Adler followed shortly behind in 3rd.
In Race 2 – Things started off well for the championship point leader Durow as he was leading the race. Cox had other plans as he stole the lead with two laps to go and clinched 1st. Durow took 2nd and #16 Kade van Deventer 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #37 Trey Cox – KTM
2nd #444 Tristan Durow – KTM
3rd #268 Ryan Adler – Husqvarna
MX65cc.
Race 1 Championship leader #42 Aiden Retief who has qualified for the Junior World Championship made a mistake, going up the hill. On the second step up, his wheel was a bit low and he crashed, breaking his lower leg. All we can do is hope that it heals up in time for him to take on the world.
This opened the path for #30 Brody Bircher who capitalised and took the win with #85 Ross Mackenzie in 2nd and #345 Rayden Wools 3rd.
In Race 2, Bircher with a strong pace felt comfy. He flowed all the way to his second win for the day. Mackenzie rode well to make it to 2nd again. He was followed by Woolls in 3rd.
Overall results.
1st #30 Brody Bircher – KTM
2nd #85 Ross Mackenzie – GASGAS
3rd #345 Rayden Woolls – Husqvarna
MX1
In Race 1, #5 Johan Vogelesang took the holeshot and tried to keep the lead, but the reigning champ and KTM Factory rider #1 Cameron Durow would not allow it as he took the lead before the end of lap two.
This gave him some breathing space and he claimed the 1st spot. Further back in the pack #87 Davin Cocker came out of nowhere passing one rider after another to finish his race in 2nd place with #135 Dean Wheeler collected 3rd.
In Race 2 it was all down to business for the champ Durow as he just opened up and left with the lead and the win. Another rider that had his game face on was #42 Marco de Vrye who crossed the line in 2nd.
With consistent racing, Wheeler took 3rd place.
Overall Results.
1st #1 Cameron Durow – KTM
2nd #87 Davin Cocker – Husqvarna
3rd #135 Dean Wheeler – Yamaha
MX Ladies.
Race 1 – This was to be an epic battle between the championship leader #176 Leah Heygate and the reigning champ and GASGAS Factory Rider #1 Kayla Raaff.
Raaff got the holeshot and that’s where the battle started. They swapped out the lead throughout the race – things couldn’t get more exciting. On the last lap pushing for the win, Raaff went down and Heygate grabbed the win!
Raaff still managed to take 2nd with #202 Mienke Cawood in 3rd.
Race 2 was a showstopper. Once again it was a game of changing places, Heygate in front then Raaff in front and so on and so forth. This time it was Heygate that made a mistake and went down, she jumped back up and bolted to the finish line but was just too late.
Raaff took her first win of the season with Heygate crossing in 2nd, only 0.360sec behind. Cawood placed 3rd. What amazing racing that was!
Overall Results.
1st #1 Kayla Raaff – GASGAS
2nd #176 Leah Heygate – KTM
3rd #202 Mienke Cawood – KTM
MX85cc.
Race 1 – After grabbing the holeshot, #94 Trenton Kretzmann had #300 Trent Valsecchi right behind him. They changed positions a few times before Valsecchi crashed out of the lead. He bounced back quickly though, Just when Kretzmann thought it is all over, he had a last lap tumble and Valsecchi clinched the win. #418 Cruz Martin took 2nd and the championship leader #28 Evan Frost came in 3rd.
Race 2 – After losing it when he was so close, Kretzmann was in full on war mode during the last race. As the gates dropped Kretzmann was gone. He rode his heart out and it paid off as he took 1st place, Valsecchi got 2nd and Frost took the 3rd spot.
Overall Results.
1st #300 Trent Valsecchi – GASGAS
2nd #94 Trenton Kretzmann – KTM
3rd #418 Cruz Martin – Husqvarna
MX2.
Race 1 – was all about KTM riders #1 Cameron Durow and #450 Luke Grundy. Durow, hungry for another double championship win kept his nose clean and won the race, Grundy crossed in 2nd with #747 Jordan van Wyk in 3rd.
Race 2 saw Grundy take a tight line and hold a steady quick pace. Durow made it to the front and grabbed his second win in this class. Four wins on the day.
Grundy charged his way to 2nd with #259 Jonathan Mlimi taking 3rd.
Overall Results.
1st #1 Cameron Durow – KTM
2nd #450 Luke Grundy – KTM
3rd #259 Jonathan Mlimi – KTM
To the victors go the spoils:
“What an incredible weekend for the Red Bull KTM Team!” Said Team Manager, Kerim Fitz-Gerald. “Cameron continues to fly the orange flag high and maintain his perfect seasons despite his travel schedule. Really happy for Luke for claiming the second in MX2 and his fantastic holeshot. Proud of Trey’s fighting spirit in securing his first overall win in the High School class. We are very excited for what the rest of the season holds in store.”
Teza really did a great job. We’ll see you at Round 5 at Maritzburg MX Track on the 27th of July.
