The Husqvarna Racing team put in a strong display of talent at the fourth round of the Motocross Nationals in Pietermaritzburg this weekend, with Joshua Mlimi and Barend du Toit securing podium finishes in their respective classes. Davin Cocker also put in a consistent performance in the MX2 class finishing in seventh overall. 

After some ups and downs this year, Josh Mlimi racing the MX1 class, showed his skill and determination on the challenging Pietermaritzburg track, finishing in second place overall. 

Commenting on his performance, Mlimi said, “Overall I had a great day on the track, made more steps in the right direction and I’m really happy with how I rode. I didn’t get the best start in the first heat but came back strong in the second heat to get the holeshot and led the race for a few laps.” He went on to say, “It was so good to get the flow again and remind myself what it feels like to be a podium contender. I’m ready to come back stronger for Round 5.” 

Barend du Toit also delivered a strong showing in the Highschool class at the race this weekend after some intense racing and claiming the second overall. 

du Toit commented, “I struggled a bit with arm pump in the first heat and not feeling the best due to the demanding track conditions. In the second heat, I had a terrible start but I managed to claw my way back to battle it out and claim the second overall spot for the day.”In the MX2 class, Davin Cocker, despite some crashes, put in a solid performance, finishing seventh overall for the team. “Today started off good in practice, the track was pretty rough and gnarly but we got through it. I didn’t get the best start for heat one and crashed twice. I felt much better in heat two and got some solid points on the board,” said Cocker. “I’m looking forward to putting in the work over the next few weeks and coming back stronger in the next round.” 

“Today was a good day for the team all together. 2-second place finishes is something we can hang our hat on and move forward towards round 5”, commented team manager, Grant Frerichs.

The Red Bull KTM team showcased their dominance at the fourth round of the Motocross National Championships in Pietermaritzburg this past weekend, with star rider Cameron Durow winning all four heats in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. Jonathan Mlimi put in a strong performance, finishing second overall in the MX2 class, while young gun Luke Grundy snatched up the top spot on the podium for the Highschool class as well. 

Despite Trey Cox being out due to injury, the Red Bull KTM team proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the challenging Pietermaritzburg track.Cameron Durow, in particular, was in a league of his own, delivering outstanding performances in both his respective classes. Commenting on his impressive performance, Durow said, “I’m really happy with such a solid day in the bag, and beyond stoked to get 4 - 4 at a home national as well.” 

He went on to say, ”The track couldn’t have been better, and we couldn’t have asked for more perfect riding conditions for the day. Thanks to the whole Pietermaritzburg Motocross club for getting the track ready for an awesome day out!” 

Jonathan Mlimi also put in an excellent showing in the MX2 class, demonstrating his skill and determination after a trying start to the year. His impressive performance resulted in a well-deserved second-place finish overall after finding his feet in the MX2 class only being outdone by teammate Durow.  Mlimi commented, “Such a good day out for me, managed to get second overall. It feels really good to be back on the podium and I’m thrilled about my results. Now to put in some work for round five and go into the next round swinging.” Another force to be reckoned with, Luke Grundy, displayed exceptional talent after a bar-to-bar battle laying everything down on the track and claiming first overall.  A visibly stoked Grundy commented, “Despite being sick I really gave it my best shot for the day. I got great results at the end of both heats going 1-1 and I couldn’t be happier. Im excited to come back for round five stronger and better.”

Grant Frerichs, the KTM group marketing manager rounded up the day by commenting, “The Red Bull KTM team showed pure dominance at round 4 with wins in every class. It was great to see 3 KTM’s on the podium in the MX2 class showing, without a doubt, that KTM is the bike to own. We go into round 5 leading all of our racing classes and look forward to defending those red championship plates once again.”

As the dust settled at Legends Adventure Farm, the country's top offroad riders gathered for the second round of the National Cross Country championship in KZN, Jolivet. The tension was high, the adrenaline was pumping, and the competition was fierce. The riders from the Husqvarna South Africa Racing team faced the tough and technical terrain with bravery and determination, leaving everything on the track.Leading the pack for the team was Davin Cocker, who overcame his nerves and injury to take on the challenge. Cocker faced a tough time in the OR2 class, but he dug deep and displayed the fighting spirit that defines him as a racer. He commented, "I had a bit of nerves coming into the race because of the crash on Thursday, but I managed to keep my head in the right place and compete for the win." And he did just that, finishing first in class and proving that he has what it takes to be a champion.Ryan Pelser, racing in the OR3 class, had a challenging race and was visibly disappointed with his results. He stated, "I didn't plan to ride like this, and I need to work on myself to get comfortable on the bike." Despite his disappointment, Pelser remained positive, grateful to finish the race safely, and focused on the next round of the competition.The Enduro Riders for the team, Travis Teasdale and Heinrich Aust, proved their versatility by competing in the race over the weekend. Travis, in OR1, and Heinrich, in OR3, showed their grit and determination, with both riders finishing in 4th place in their respective classes. 

Team manager, Grant Frerichs commented: “Challenging conditions faced us in Jolivet and Davin put on a superb performance clinching his class win and extending his championship points lead. Ryan struggled with the route conditions but fought on to gain valuable championship points in his quest for damage control."

The Brother Leader Tread KTM team proved their mettle at the second round of the National Cross Country championship held in KZN. Battling the unforgiving terrain of Jolivet and overcoming various adversities to secure impressive finishes in their respective classes.Kerim Fitz-Gerald, racing in the Senior class, blazed through the course with his signature style and speed, taking the top spot in his class with ease. "KZN racing is always a struggle for me with the forests and especially the sugar cane," said Fitzgerald.  He mused saying "I think I spent more time doing u-turns today than going forward, but we are leaving safely, still fighting for the overall championship and looking forward for round 3."OR1 class rider Bradley Cox pushed himself to the limit and crossed the finish line in second place as well as claiming second overall. "My body felt strong all day, having to push at the end but I'm really happy with my result," Cox said.Despite his setbacks, Scott Heygate managed to put in an incredible effort and finished in second place in the OR2 class, contributing valuable points to the team's overall score. Heygate commented, "Coming into the race, I was still recovering from being sick. I crashed twice with the second one leaving a few bumps and bruises. After the second crash, I went into survival mode and didn't take too many chances in this one to score as many valuable points as I can."Young gun, Matthew Wilson, racing in the OR3 class, showed great drive and speed to come back from a challenging time trial that saw him crash into a fence, putting him a few minutes behind. "I felt good in the time trial, but unfortunately ended up in a fence putting me 5 minutes behind" Wilson said. "As a result, I started the race 55th overall and was able to come back to 18th. Even though the overall result might not be what I was hoping for, I am happy with the drive and speed I showed to come back” he added. 

The team's success was a true team effort, with each member supporting and pushing each other to deliver their best performances. Their unwavering dedication and commitment to the sport were on full display, impressing both fans and competitors alike.In addition, the Brother Leader Tread KTM Enduro team also made their mark at the race. William Slater competed in the OR1 class and delivered a strong performance, finishing in fifth place. Meanwhile, Dylan Jones showcased his skills in the OR3 class, securing an impressive second-place finish.

Team manager Grant Frerichs commented: “I am proud of the team as a whole. Each rider had his challenges but we came together and got the job done. Championships are never won at one round but they can be lost so to be in the championship fight in all of our classes with healthy riders is important. We look forward to taking the fight to the other riders at the upcoming double header round.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing scorched the asphalt at the Circuit of the Americas as Brad Binder dashed to 5th position in Texas on Saturday. The third MotoGP Sprint of the season whet the appetite for the Grand Prix on Sunday and while Binder was top five, Jack Miller captured 9th. Both riders started from decent grid positions of 10th and 11th after morning qualification.

5th place in the Sprint for Brad Binder who launched from the fourth row

Jack Miller again shows his ability for the Texan track with a good start and a top ten result

Both Red Bull KTM RC16s make direct Q2 qualification for the first time this season

Daniel Holgado to start from 5th on the Moto3™ grid as Pedro Acosta earns 2nd in Moto2™ Q2Warm and humid conditions opened the second day of the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas and the tenth visit by the world championship to the sprawling and challenging track south of Austin. Decent work on Friday in both Practice 1 and 2 sessions meant both Brad Binder and Jack Miller found times in the top ten of the standings and achieved direct Q2 entry for Saturday. This helped provide a platform to increase the competitiveness of the RC16 set-up, conserve tire allocation and guarantee slots on the first rows of the grid.

During the decisive Q2 session Miller was hunting the fringes of the top five until small slips at the low-speed Turn 1 and 14 on two separate occasions foiled his attempt to be further forward. He rested in 10th and was just two tenths of a second ahead of Binder in 11th. The track’s grip level had lowered after some overnight rain and the conditions were tricky to judge for the 10-lap Tissot Sprint.Brad Binder, 11th in qualification, 5th in the Sprint: “Today was difficult. The conditions were different to what we have had so far this weekend and the grip level changed a lot. The first lap was sketchy and I struggled to roll around the corners. I lost a lot of time because of that but once I had my bearings I could move forward. It was a hard race today but hats-off to the team and my guys because we have made a big step from last year where we would have dreamed of being 5th. We need that last step for tomorrow and I think it will be a different story with that full race distance…but it should work in our favor.”

2021 Superbike World Champion, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, will have a new opportunity to test the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine during a planned development test at the Jerez circuit in Andalucía, Spain.

Razgatlıoğlu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, for two days of testing on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th April in Jerez.

It will be the Turkish star’s second test aboard the YZR-M1, after his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short by inclement weather.

The characteristics of the 4.428 km Jerez circuit are well suited to Razgatlıoğlu’s riding style and the test should provide an ideal opportunity for him to accrue plenty of track time and adapt himself to the YZR-M1.

Lin Jarvis - Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing Srl

“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend. Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”

Andrea Dosoli - Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather. This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu

“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”

It was a fiery battle in the high school class this past weekend for newest addition, Barend Du Toit, in the Husqvarna Racing team at Zone 7 in Cape Town.  

Du Toit engaged in an explosive scramble with Luke Grundy, resulting in a thrilling race that demonstrated the racers' skill and determination.  Their impressive performances indicated a potential season-long championship battle between the two talented competitors. Barend dominated the first heat and had to fight back from a bad start in the second heat securing a well-deserved second overall for Round 2. He displayed tremendous pace in heat one of Round 3, indicating his potential to obtain victory. However, a fuel line issue caused him to play catch-up after losing a lap, a disappointing setback for the team and fans alike. Despite this misfortune, Barend bounced back in the second heat, bagging the win and finishing the day on a high heading to the next round in Pietermaritzburg.

He commented: “I had a great weekend baring a setback in the one moto but I managed to claw my way back and claim that win in the second heat! Feeling stoked and confident for Round 4 and can’t wait to get back to the track!”In the MX2 class, Davin Cocker faced numerous challenges throughout the weekend, including small falls that made it challenging for him to show his true potential. However, his never-give-up attitude exemplified his dedication to the sport. He ended the weekend with a 12th and 4th place finish, respectively.

“I had a much better day at Round 3, which also made for better results which I’m happy about. Improving the race bit by bit and putting in those hours is all I can ask for. Thank you to Husqvarna Racing and everyone who has made it possible!”, a content Cocker said.  

In the MX1 class, Josh Mlimi demonstrated a consistent performance, securing a 6th and 4th place finish. His focus and determination were evident throughout the race, and his impressive riding skills drew cheers from the spectators.“All in all I’m happy to leave in one piece and with good points. Made some good steps forward and looking forward to building on where our strengths and weaknesses are.” Mlimi said. 

“The track was brutal on both days and getting the bike set up really good was also a little challenging, but we keep on working on and off the bike putting in the hours,” he added.

Team manager Grant Frerichs commented: “The proverbial black cat struck again with some bad luck plaguing the team at the weekend, but all 3 riders showed glimmers of hope and promising speed. I look forward to the day that the puzzle pieces fall into place and we will be a force to be reckoned with!”

The rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, at his first seal in the Top class on the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Tavullia team. In the Team's tenth season in the World Championship, the dream is fulfilled with at least one victory in each class. P8 for Luca Marini

Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina), April 2ND  2023 – At the GP of Argentina Marco Bezzecchi signs the dream of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, a ten-season journey, from the first steps in Moto3 in 2014 up to the MotoGP. A Sunday to remember with the first career victory in the Top class for the young Italian rider who rises to first place in the general standings also thanks to the P2 in yesterday's Sprint. More complicated race for Luca, eighth.

Starting from the second box of the grid under the rain, on the Ducati Desmosedici GP, Marco immediately takes the lead of the race and manages the particular weather conditions in the best possible way. In P1 for all the 25 laps of the race, he crosses the finishing line alone and achieves the victory. With today's 25 points, he is first in the general standings (50 points), also the first among the teams (65 points).Eighth place for Luca, starting from the seventh place, after yesterday's excellent result (third in the Sprint), he can't repeat himself on the long run. In any case, he finished into the points, satisfied with the work done on the Argentine track and ready to get back on track in the USA in two weeks (Americas GP, 16 April 2023).

Emilio Petrone, Chief Executive Officer of Mooney
"The historic victory in Argentina and Marco Bezzecchi's P1 in the MotoGP World Championship represent a great satisfaction for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team and are the result of passion, talent, Italian spirit, innovation. We could not have expected a better start to the season and we are certain that g the Team will do its 100% to repeat this result soon. We are so proud to congratulate Marco and the Team”.

The rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team leaves behind yesterday's sprint and crosses the finishing line in third place in the opening race of the 2023 season. Luca Marini is forced to retire after a crash

Portimao (Portugal), March 26th 2023 - Marco Bezzecchi leaves behind the premature epilogue of yesterday's sprint and conquers the third step of the podium at the Portuguese GP, the first race of the 2023 season. On the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, hits the second podium in the Top class of his young career.From the P8 on the grid and after an excellent start, Marco immediately takes the pace of the leading group to the limits of the Top5. He is able to keep up the rhythm of the very first riders and is third on lap six, a position he defends to the checkered flag. With today's podium he climbs to the third place in the general standings with 16 points.

A weekend to forget for Luca, who was forced to retire twice. Ninth on the grid and tenth on lap 15, he was forced to retire after a crash. For him and for the whole Team, an opportunity to recover in just seven days in Argentina where the second race of the season is scheduled.