27.08.2021

RED BULL KTM GET READY TO DEFEND RED PLATES   

National Motocross Championship - Pietermaritzburg
This press release has: 4 Images
The gates are about to drop for the next round of the National Motocross Championship. After a long break due to Covid-19 restrictions, the popular series is set to resume in Pietermaritzburg this weekend. 
 
Red Bull KTM will unleash a star-studded line-up of five riders on Saturday, all of which are in with a shot of winning their respective championship. Leading the way is Tristan Purdon, who will represent the orange team in both the MX1 and MX2 Class. 
 
After a highly impressive season of racing, Purdon lines up with both championship leads. The Pietermaritzburg hardpack track is notorious for its unforgiving terrain, and with rain predicted this weekend the already challenging track will be even tougher to negotiate. 
 
Having spent the time waiting for racing to return wisely, Purdon is undaunted by the challenge in store. He commented, “It’s so good to be back racing. The break was good and bad in a sense – bad because we missed racing, but good because it gave us an opportunity to really work on our weaknesses. I’m really excited to see how that will pay off this weekend.”
 
He added, “We’ve done everything possible to prepare for the hardpack track, but the forecast is rain – and that changes everything. It might just turn out to be a complete mud show!”
 
Joining him in the race for the MX2 Championship is Red Bull KTM teammate Cameron Durow. It’s been a breakthrough season of racing for the rising star, who is just 11 points behind Purdon in the highly competitive class. 
 
With the Pietermaritzburg event being a hometown race, Durow certainly enters the race with an advantage. He commented, “This is my home track, so my bike setup is exactly where it needs to be. I also know the track and terrain really well. I’m going into this race with big goals – to win the MX2 class and podium in the MX1 class.”
 
Having entered a pre-national race last weekend and winning both his classes, the rider is as confident as ever. Durow has used the last few weeks to work on what he describes as his “late race pace”. He explained: “I found my late race pace wasn’t where I needed it to be in the past few events, so that’s something I wanted to change. I felt like I got that right last weekend and was able to push right up until the end.”
 
Also hunting down a national title is Jonathan Mlimi. The rider will enter the event with the red plate in the High School Class with an impressive 16-point lead over his nearest competitor. While some riders may find the rain prediction intimidating, Mlimi welcomes the idea of a muddy track. He said: “I’ve used my time off to train wisely and push myself out of my comfort zone, so I’m feeling very prepared for this weekend. The rain will make things slippery, but I’m actually looking forward to that because I raced really well in the mud last season. The goal is always to go 1-1 to take the win overall.”
 
Rounding out the team with yet another red plate is Pro Mini rider Trey Cox. It’s been a stand-out season for the youngster, who has been unrelenting in his goal to win the prestigious Pro Mini title. With just a single point separating him from his closest championship rival, Cox will certainly be pulling out all the stops in Pietermaritzburg this weekend.  
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Images (4)

South African star Tristan Purdon.
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New MX2 recruit Cameron Durow pushing the pace up front.
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High School Class Hero Jonathan Mlimi.
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Rising Pro Mini star Trey Cox.
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Contact

SOUTH AFRICA - Megan Prinsloo
Megan Prinsloo
KTM MOTORCYCLES SA (PTY) LTD
30 Monte Carlo Crescent
Kyalami Business Park
Midrand, 1684
South Africa
megan.prinsloo@ktm.com