The race for a spot on the MX National podium is on! Tensions are running high as Red Bull KTM riders prepare for the season finale at Terra Topia on 14 October.
It has been a mixed season for the Red Bull KTM family. Pro rider Kerim Fitz-Gerald was off to a rough start this year when he broke his wrist at the series opener in Port Elizabeth.
By the third round of the series he returned with a true ‘never-say-die’ attitude and managed to work his way back up the MX1 ranks. Some dramatic mishaps in round five resulted in a serious loss of points for the rider, but his solid fourth place on the leader board has kept him in the race for the podium.
He has had a stronger MX2 season. Some of Fitz-Gerald’s best racing this year took place at the penultimate round in Harrismith recently. He went to battle with a group of four riders within a bike length of each other, and managed to end the day in third despite going down in Moto one.
As the season finale approaches, Kerim is itching for a victory. He is currently ranked third in MX2, and has made his intent clear: “I want to win the final round, that’s that. I haven’t won much this year and I miss the feeling.”
From the first round in Port Elizabeth, the man who has raised his hand for a national title is Pro Mini rider Camden Mc Lellan.
It has been victory after victory for the rising star, and he walked away with yet another first place in his pocket at the penultimate round of the series in Harrismith.
When asked about the key to his successful season, Mc Lellan summed it up quite simply: “It all comes down to dedication. I’ve been training in the gym and getting stronger, spending a lot more time on the bike with my trainer Darrel, and also had some overseas experience this year.”
He is determined to keep the winning momentum going and plans to end the season on a high. “This last race is going to be tight because people are going to want to prove themselves. I’m extremely excited for that! And obviously hope to come out on top,” said Mc Lellan.
The Pro Mini pairing of Mc Lellan and Jono Mlimi was always going to be good. Mlimi is another favourite that’s set soar the orange flag high next month. Despite round six not going as well as he had hoped, the youngster is still sitting in second on the season’s point standings.
The Mc Lellan and Mlimi brothers are another two riders that need to be kept on the radar. Joshua Mlimi is currently sixth in the MX2 class. Nate McLellan is ranked fourth in 85cc as he heads into the season finale, and stands a good chance of finishing on the podium.
New to the Red Bull KTM MX team this year is Ross Branch. It has been a disappointing season for the Red Bull KTM rider, but things have started looking up. He led some of the race in Harrismith recently, and plans to bring his best to Terra Topia: “I had the speed to run up front, but I let myself down by not spending enough time on the bike. So I’m really excited to step it up a notch at this last race.”
Although he has had a season of ups and downs, he’s still sitting in a comfortable sixth place for the season. There’s also a much bigger Dakar picture that the rider has set his focus on: “Racing has really helped me for Offroad Nationals and has also been a pretty good step in the right direction for the 15 month plan for Dakar 2019,” said Ross.
