MAHONEY MAKES IT 5 OUT OF 5 FOR BROTHER KTM WHILE SCHMIDT SECURES 0R3 TITLE WITH ONE MORE ROUND TO GO
The fifth and penultimate round of the South African National Offroad championship was held near Reitz in the Free State, approx. 200 km’s South of Johannesburg. Competitors had to complete the 180 km sprint event over three laps in dry and dusty conditions with the wind picking up in the morning. The track was fast and flowing and competitors knew they had to make those three laps count in order to gain points towards their respective championships.
All eyes were on championship leader Ross Branch, the talented rider from Botswana however had a massive crash 25 km’s into the first lap that left the championship contender badly concussed. Only approx. half an hour later Branch managed to get onto his KTM 450 XC-F again and rode back to the pits at a much slower speed. After a quick refuel Branch could collect himself again and decided to continue to race in order to score some valuable points towards both the overall and OR1 championship.
With Branch falling back his teammate Louwrens Mahoney had to fly the Brother KTM flag high and took over the lead, which he held all the way until the finish line. Mahoney proved again why he’s a worthy championship contender and has re gained the lead in the OR1 championship ahead of Branch who will both continue fighting for the Overall championship.
In the OR2 class it was once again Tyron Miller that impressed on board his KTM 350 XC-F with a class win and a fourth place overall, therefore extending his lead in the OR2 championship, which puts him in a comfortable spot. Miller just missed out on the podium after he got stuck in a mud hole on the last lap. His team mate Jono van Wyk also had a great day out and finished in third place in the OR2 class.
Brother KTM’s Louw Schmidt has been one of the most consistent riders this year on board his KTM 250 XC-F. The youngster from Marble Hall, Limpopo, once again brought home the OR3 class win, securing his 2014 OR3 championship title with one more round to go.
The Seniors class was again dominated by Brother KTM’s Juan ‘Bollie’ van Rooyen from Port Elizabeth who secured another class win, also extending his championship lead.
The final round of the South African National Offroad championship will take place on 27 September in the Rysmierbult area.
