Soaring the orange flag at MX Nationals season finale:
The Red Bull KTM squad gathered for a dusty showdown at the MX Nationals season finale on Saturday. With many of the championships undecided, riders set off with the determination to snatch up every last point they could.
It was a day of celebration for the orange family with Pro Mini rider Camden Mc Lellan taking the championship. The final round was bitter-sweet for the legend-in-the-making, who did not end the season off as he had hoped.
Mc Lellan crashed during training a few days prior to the Terra Topia event and was still recovering from concussion. He was advised to sit the race out, especially since he already had enough points to take the championship, and decided to attend the event to support his teammates.
“I worked really hard for this championship, so I’m really glad the effort paid off. Next season I’ll be racing a 125, I’m so looking forward to that! I’ll also be overseas a lot more for the full ADAC series, and some EMX85 races,” said Mc Lellan.
Camden Mc Lellan supporting his teammates at MX Nationals season finale. Photo credit: www.zcmc.co.za
It was an epic end to the season for Red Bull KTM’s Kerim Fitz-Gerald. He took his place at the start with a specific goal in mind: “I want to win today. I haven’t done that in a while and I miss the feeling,” he said.
An overall victory looked promising for the MX hero when he completely annihilated his competitors in the first heat of MX1.
In a dramatic second heat, a high-speed crash up front was a stumbling block for many riders. Fitz-Gerald managed to slip past and keep his pace, finishing the heat in third.
He walked away with second place for the day, and stepped onto the podium for an overall third place in the MX1 class for the season.
“I struggled a bit this season, I hurt myself in the first round and started on the back foot after that. The other guys were also riding really well! The biggest lesson I’ve learnt this year to just stick the season out no matter what – you never know what could happen. I’m grateful to have ended things off like I did” said Fitz-Gerald as he reflected on the MX1 season.
The MX2 action at Terra Topia unfolded in reverse for the rider. He set off with a rough start in the first heat and fought his way past the top 15 riders to end the race in fifth. As always, he returned with a true ‘never say die’ attitude and took the win in the second heat.
He walks away from the MX2 season with great pride having finished second overall.
Ross Branch in action at Terra Topia. Photo: Andre Schoeman, Zigy Brodalka
Red Bull KTM MX1 teammate, Ross Branch, finished the season in a respectable sixth position, a great achievement as a newcomer to motocross racing.
MX2 rider Joshua Mlimi finished the season in an overall fifth place for the year. He narrowly missed out on the podium at the final round in Terra Topia, but has nothing but good things to say about the way his MX2 season unfolded:
“The season was a tough one, for sure. It was very evident that every rider stepped up the pace from last year, and I’m very thankful that I got a wakeup call. My main goal for the first couple of years of racing was to finish in the top ten, so to have come so close to the podium is something I’m very proud of,” said Mlimi.
With his sights set on the possibility of a podium finish next season, he added, “I’m really going to focus on my fitness. Speed is something I can pick up quite easily, but the endurance that needs to come with it makes the biggest difference. I know what my goal is and I’m determined to get it.”
Josh Mlimi doing what he does best. MX Nationals season finale. Photo: Andre Schoeman, Zigy Brodalka
His brother and Red Bull KTM Pro Mini rider Jonathan Mlimi had a testing end to the season. He took a hard knock after a crash in Moto 1:
“I was lying on the ground winded and couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move my left shoulder at all and started to panic. I felt pain but asked the paramedic to help pick me up so I could get back and carry on riding, just to earn some points at least,” said Mlimi.
All ended well for the youngster whose courageous efforts helped him end the Pro Mini season on the third spot of the podium.
The Mlimi brothers in the pits at Terra Topia. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za
The 85cc superstar Nate Mc Lellan will be relieved to finish fourth this season after almost seven weeks of being unable to race. The youngster recently recovered after breaking his collar bone, and admits to struggling to find a rhythm upon his return.
“I have big goals for the bigger class that I’m racing next year. I really want to win a few rounds and be a consistent podium finisher,” said Mc Lellan.
Leading provisional results:
MX1 Overall
1. Tristan Purdon (Tintswalo Out of Africa racing) 300 points
2. David Goosen (Tintswalo Out of Africa racing) 293 points
3. Kerim Fitz-Gerald (Red Bull KTM Racing) 273 points
6. Ross Branch (Red Bull KTM Racing) 224 points
MX2 Overall
1. David Goosen (Tintswalo Out of Africa Racing) 289 points
2. Kerim Fitz-Gerald (Red Bull KTM Racing) 259 points
3. Anthony Raynard (GAC Laser Ace Sports) 241 points
5. Joshua Mlimi (Red Bull KTM Racing) 235 points
Pro Mini Overall
1. Camden Mc Lellan (Red Bull KTM Racing) 289 points
2. Davin Cocker (Grainger Racing) 283 points
3. Jonathan Mlimi (Red Bull KTM Racing) 255 points
85cc Juniors Overall
1. Dylan Kirk (Rad Moto) 314 points
2. Blake Young (Rad Moto) 308 points
3. Hayden Tully (Tintswalo Out of Africa Racing) 294 points
4. Nate Mc Lellan (Red Bull KTM Racing) 246 points
– ENDS.
Source: MyPR
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