2015 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals Teza Race Report

Rated one of the best Motocross tracks in SA, Teza in Richards Bay played host to the penultimate round of the 2015 Monster Energy South African Motocross Nationals. The bar to bar action that took place resulted in one of the best races of the season.

James Thompson dominated the 50cc class by claiming two holeshots and two wins. A battle for 2nd position took place between championship leader Emmanuel Bako and Wian DuPlooy seeing them swap position in the two heats. They finished tie on points but the 2nd place was awarded to Bako thanks to his 2nd place finish in the second heat.

Camden McLellan qualified fasted in the 65cc class, won both his heats and secured the 2015 title. Jono Mlimi finished in a comfortable 2nd. An exciting battle for 3rd place took place between Swaziland’s Blake Young and Cape Town’s Ike Klaasen who were just ahead of Dylan Kirk, another Swaziland rider. Young claimed the 3rd place finish.

It was all about Dalton Venter in the 85cc Junior class as he won both heats. An improved Justin Sangster finished with a solid 2nd place for the day while Camden McLellan finished in 3rd.

The Pro-Mini class has come down to the wire between Slade Smith, Cameron Durow and Seth van den Abeele. Smith was fastest in practice and continued his dominance to take both race wins, putting pressure on championship leader Durow. Durow rode with and injured arm but still finished 2 – 3 for 3rd overall. Van den Abeele had a strong outing to take home 2nd place.

Slade Smith taking the Pro-Mini win at Round 6 of the MX Nationals — Slade Smith

It was good to see a strong field battling it our in the Support class. Cam Thompson took the win with Louw Schmidt finishing in 2nd and Rodney Odendaal in 3rd.

Ian Topliss owned the MX3 class and has already sewn up the title. Topliss won both heats from James van Staden in 2nd and Rod Bergstrom in 3rd.

Battle royal took place in the Ladies class between Toni Jardine, Nanda Swiegers and Brittany Cuthbert. It came down to the line in Heat 1 with Swiegers just taking it from Cuthbert. Jardine finished in 3rd.
In Heat 2 Swiegers couldn’t hold off the hard charging Cuthbert who went on to take the win. Swiegers finished in 2nd and Jardine in 3rd.
Jardine’s 3rd place was enough to secure her the 2015 title.

Nanda Swiegers battling in the Ladies class at the Teza MX nationals — Nanda Swiegers

There was a new winner for 2015 in the 125cc Highschool class by way of Justin Thompson leaving the championship contenders to battle it out for 2nd. Charl van Eerden claimed 2nd and is now tie in points heading into the final round with Dirco van der Westhiuzen, who finished in 3rd. Joshua Mlimi had bike issues in Heat 2 putting him back in points and will have to fight hard in the last round.

Justin Thompson taking the win in the 125cc Highschool class — Justin Thompson

In the MX2 class Maddy Malan only needed a few point to take the 2015 championship. In Heat 1 it was Kerim Fitz-Gerald who took the holeshot and lead the race. Neville Bradshaw and Malan put on the pressure but Fitz-Gerald held on for the win, Bradshaw 2nd and Malan 3rd. Tristan Purdon fought back after a bad start to finish in 4th place.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald takes the win in the MX2 class at the Teza National — Kerim Fitz-Gerald

Heat 2 saw Bradshaw get to the front early with Purdon following in 2nd, and it stayed that way till the finish. Malan was comfortable in 3rd but had a crash with 2 laps to go and remounted to finish the race in 5th place. Fitz-Gerald finished in 3rd with Anthony Raynard following in 4th.
Malan’s 3 – 5 finish was enough to take the 2015 title.

Maddy Malan winning the MX2 Title at round 6 of the 2015 Monster Energy South African Motocross Nationals at Teza — Maddy Malan

It’s a tight affair in the MX1 class between Kerim Fitz-Gerald and Sacha Naude. Fitz-Gerald got the starts in Heat 1 and held of Naude and Neville Bradshaw.
In Heat 2 Fitz-Gerald again got a good start while his competitors all got bas starts. Bradshaw managed to climb back to 2nd place and David Goosen finished in 3rd place. Naude finished in 4th and put him back in points going into the final round.
This class will be decided at the final round and will be the race to watch come 31st October at Smoking Pistons in Joburg.

Neville Bradshaw motocross action from Teza South African MX Nationals — Neville Bradshaw

One of the hottest and most testing stops of the year is in the books and now riders will be preparing for the final round of the 2015 Monster Energy South African Motocross Nationals taking place at Smoking Pistons in the south of Joburg on the 31st October.

Shout-out to the sponsors Monster Energy, FMF, Thor, Gaerne, Bridgestone, Motul, DC Shoes, Portable Shade, Bell Helmets, Rockwell Watches and MXSA.