2017 SA Motocross Nationals Thunder Valley Race Report

The fifth round of the 2017 Monster Energy TRP Distributors SA National Motocross Championship took place at Thunder Valley, Pietermaritzburg this past weekend, and what a showdown it was. With only a few rounds left in the championship tension was high as competitors battled it out for many points on the board as possible.

In the MX1 class it was Richard van der Westhuizen that showed what he is made of, fighting his way to the lead in both heats and going 1-1 for the overall.
Tristan Purdon showed good speed but battled with armpump in both races. He managed consistent laps to finish 2-2 for 2nd overall and retains the points lead.
David Goosen qualified in 1st but had some bad luck in the races. Going down while in the lead in heat 1 resulting in a 3rd place finish, and in heat 2 caught from 6th to 3rd for 3rd overall.
Caleb Tennant suffered with a front brake issue in heat 1 and a bad start in heat 2 but finished 6-5 for 4th overall.
Kerim Fitz-Gerald was leading the first heat until his shock failed seeing him lose a bunch of positions. In heat 2 he came out with the holeshot but couldn’t run the pace and ended in 4th for a 5th place finish on the day.

Richard van der Westhuizen racing his way to victory in the MX1 class at Round 5 of the SA motocross nationals. — Richard van der Westhuizen

The MX2 class saw an incredible battle between the top seven riders. Again qualifying 1st, David Goosen went on to win heat 1 from start to finish. A bad start in heat 2 would see him finish in 4th but still score enough points for the overall, and retains the points lead.
Kerim Fitz-Gerald faired better in the MX2 class by catching up to 4th in heat 1 after a bad start, and 2nd in heat 2 after getting the holeshot for 2nd overall.
Richard van der Westhuizen had a terrible heat 1 with a crash and an 8th place finish but he bounced back with the win in heat 2 for 3rd overall.