SOUTH AFRICAN RIDERS SHOW GOOD PRE-SEASON FORM

With the first Grand Prix of the season just around the corner, the Dutch GP on April 5 and 6, South African riders competing in the MX2 category of this year’s world motocross championships have shown good form in European domestic championship and invitation events.

Four South Africans in Tyla Rattray (Red Bull KTM), Gareth Swanepoel (Molsom Kawasaki), Shannon Terreblanche (Beursfoon Suzuki) and Wyatt Avis (LS Motors/Vangani Honda) will compete on a regular basis in this year’s MX2 championship. And with South Africa back on the world championship calendar at the Alkmaar circuit in Nelspruit from July 18 to 20 the form of the South Africans will be closely watched.

Pre-season form suggests that Rattray has cemented his position as one of the heavy favourites to win the MX2 championship. The Red Bull KTM factory star has won twice in pre-season outings.

Rattray won at Hawkestone and followed this up with an overall win in a round of the Dutch championship at Gemert. Rattray picked up a first and a second in the two motos and impressed KTM team manager Stefan Everts.

“Tyla was on another level,” said Everts. “He is going to be a threat this year.”

At the same meeting Terreblanche, trying to establish himself in the world championship, picked up a top 10 and a non finish. Terreblanche will be going into his second full season in the world championship and was not unhappy with his Gemert showing. “I was happy with the way it went at Gemert,” said Terreblanche. “I am pleased with the Suzuki and am looking forward to the season.”

Riding in a round of the British championship Swanepoel finished fourth overall and was unlucky not to be on the podium. After finishing fourth in the first moto he was “wiped out’ in the second corner in the second race, and from stone last fought his way back to ninth.

“I was competitive so that is good,” said Swanepoel. “Things are getting better and better every week.

Booking for the South African Grand Prix is open at Computicket. Ticket prices are R240 per person for a two day pass, R110 per person for a Saturday pass and R210 per person for a Sunday pass with a 50 percent reduction for children under 12.