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JOHANNESBURG. — International motocross took centre stage in South African motorsport last weekend when 124 riders from seven countries — Angola, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe — competed in the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations at Syringa Park circuit in Muldersdrift.On a warm and sunny first day of spring the host contingent, consisting of an official South African team selected by hosts Motorsport South Africa as well as independent local riders, proved to be too strong for the visitors, winning all but one of the eight classes, each of which had three heats during the day.

South Africa won the overall competition with 622 points to the 354 of surprise packets Zimbabwe and the 353 of Zambia. Uganda were fourth with 145 points, followed by Kenya with 107 and Angola with 7.

It was only in the MX Vets category for riders aged 35 to 49, which attracted an entry of nine riders, four each from Zimbabwe and Zambia and one from South Africa, that South Africa did not emerge victorious. The overall winner was Dale Holliday of Zambia, who won all three of his heats. Second overall was Billy Flanagan of South Africa and third was Trevor Thixton of Zimbabwe.

The only other visitor to win a heat was Leah Heygate of Zambia who took the honours in the second heat of the MX Ladies and was second overall for the day behind independent South African rider Brittany Cuthbert. Third overall was another independent South African rider Amy Sawyer.

The three junior classes (MX 50, MX 65 and MX Lites) attracted the most entries and saw all-South African podiums in each heat and overall.

Camden McLellan of the South African team won two of the three MX 50 races for riders aged five to nine and was first overall for the day.

Independent local rider Dalton Venter dominated the MX 65 class for riders aged six to 12 with three wins, while independent local rider Justin Thompson won two of the three MX 85 Lites heats for riders aged 10 to 15 and was first overall in the class that attracted the most entries — 21.

The hotly contested MX 125 High School class for riders aged 13 to 17 was won overall by independent rider Nicholas Adams ahead of the fancied Bradley Cox and Dirco van der Westhuizen of the SA team. Adams won all three heats.

Cox, currently leading the MSA 125 High School class, was second in the first two heats and third in the last one.
Van der Westhuizen, second in the national championship, was third in the first two races and managed to get the better of Cox in the third.

The MX 1 class for riders aged 16 and over was dominated by local rider Sacha Naude (SA team), who won all three heats. Ross Branch of South Africa took two second places and was second overall ahead of Zimbabwe’s Jayden Ashwell, who was second in heat two.
South Africa’s Bradley Fenton was unbeaten in the MX 2 class for riders aged 15 and above with Zambian rider Bradley Lionnet second overall ahead of compatriot Justin Barrett.

A large and appreciative crowd enjoyed a full programme of 24 races which featured top-class riding, lots of spills and thankfully no serious injuries.

“With riders aged from five to 49 motocross is a great family sport and we saw fathers and sons competing today and supported by mothers, sisters and brothers,” said Motorsport South Africa’s CEO of operations, Adrian Scholtz.

“MSA was proud to be able to host this important gathering of African motocross nations.” — MSA.com