2018 SA Motocross Nationals Rover MX Race Report

When you combine the best riders in the country with one of the best venues in the country being Rover MX in Port Elizabeth you are guaranteed to set the 2018 TRP Distributors SA Motocross National Championship season alight with bar-to-bar racing action. The pre entry list had everyone talking and all the classes looked ready to put on an incredible show and as expected, they did not disappoint.

In the MX1 class, it was Caleb Tennant, fresh off some training in the USA, who blasted out of the gates in Heat 1 and made it clear that the battle for the season was only just beginning. The reigning Champion, Tristan Purdon, sporting the number 1 plate, fought with Caleb every step of the way in both heats. Caleb walked away with 1-2 for 2nd overall with Tristan taking 1st after a 2-1 finish. Kerim Fit-Gerald fought hard and put in a solid performance to take a 3-3 for 3rd overall.

Tristan Purdon winning the MX1 class at Round 1 of the MX Nationals — Tristan Purdon

This is just the beginning though and with riders like Jayden Ashwell, David Goosen, Royce Griffin, Damon Strydom, Matt Van Galen, Maddy Malan and Ryan Angilley in the mix and rounding out the top 10, we are in for tremendous racing throughout the season.

Caleb Tennant racing to 2nd place at the MX Nationals at Rover MX — Caleb Tennant

The MX2 class was stacked as a host of 125cc riders made their premier class debut and all eyes were on track to see how these youngsters would fare amongst the more seasoned 250cc riders. Stand-out newcomers included Keegan Hickson-Mahony and Slade Smith and had everyone wondering how they could create some upsets in the championship as the season continues. The battles out front however belonged to the seasoned class riders.

Anthony Raynard winning the MX2 class at round 1 of the 2018 MX Nationals — Anthony Raynard

Anthony Raynard had a tough time in MX1, but made up for it in MX2 with an incredible 2-1 for 1st overall. Caleb Tennat took the win in Heat 1 but a fall in Heat 2 left him with a 7th and an overall of 2nd. Tristan Purdon and Kerim Fitz-Gerald rounded out 3rd and 4th. David Goosen, Bradley Cox, Maddy Malan, Johan Vogelesang and the two rookies, rounded out the top 10.