Husqvarna Racing’s Neil van der Vyver could not have asked for a better end to what has been a tumultuous 2020 season. The young gun stormed to victory in an exciting National Motocross season finale in Bloemfontein this weekend to defend his title as the reigning 65cc champion.

This will be the fourth national championship of what is quickly becoming an illustrious career for Van der Vyver. Having represented Husqvarna South Africa since 2016, the rider is a precocious talent stacked with potential. He is not only an exciting prospect for team, but the future of South African motorsport as a whole.

“I won all four heats this weekend – I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish the season. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and never stopped believing in me this year,” said Van Der Vyver.Husqvarna South Africa’s Brand Manager Fred Fensham waxed lyrical, “We couldn’t be prouder of our young Neil. To be a four-time national champion at 12 years old is an incredible achievement – we look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.”

It was a challenging season for teammate Maddy Malan, who has been fighting his way back up the MX1 leaderboard since a crash set him back in the first round. While he was unable to make up enough points to defend his 2019 title, the rider ended off the season on a high note by snatching victory in the final heat.“It’s been a rollercoaster season for Maddy after that big crash at the start of the year. He never stopped fighting to get back on the top step and proved that he certainly has what it takes to reclaim that red plate after the way he performed in the final heat,” said Fensham.

Rounding out the squad this weekend was Husqvarna’s newest recruit Dalton Venter. Having only stepped up into the MX2 Class at the start of the season, the young rider has seen tremendous improvement in his performances. With a determination to shake off his rookie status in the MX2 Class, Venter will certainly enter the 2021 season swinging.

Despite dominating proceedings at the front of the litre-class field, David McFadden (RPM Center/Stunt SA/Lights by Linea Yamaha R1) could not prevent Clint Seller (King Price Xtreme Yamaha R1) from claiming his seventh South African championship title at the final round of the 2020 NGK Spark Plugs South African SuperBike Series held at Port Elizabeth’s Aldo Scribante Racetrack on Saturday, 31 October. Newly crowned champion Ricardo Otto (RAW Projects Yamaha R6) shared the SuperSport 600 heat wins with Dino Iozzo (King Price Extreme Yamaha R6) while Sifiso Themba (King Price Extreme Kawasaki ZX10R) took the second Bridgestone SuperBike class win after first heat winner Lubabalo Ntisana (LB Auto Kawasaki ZX10R) crashed out of the lead.

After a disappointing outing at the previous round, where the recurrence of an old nerve injury spoilt his chances of a decent points haul, McFadden bounced back in Friday’s qualifying sessions, topping the timesheets in all three to claim pole position for both heats. He was just over half a second quicker than Seller, who just got the better of Garrick Vlok (DCCS Coring, Cutting and Sealing Yamaha R1). Otto led the way in the 600 class, taking pole position from Iozzo with Brett Roberts (Lights by Linea/RPM Center Yamaha R6) not far behind on his first visit to Aldo Scribante. The Bridgestone SuperBike grid was headed by Ntisana with Themba and Ian Thomas (SA Compressor Hire Kawasaki ZX10R) alongside him.In the first heat, McFadden grabbed the lead from pole and opened up a substantial gap which he was then able to manage, taking the win by nearly eight seconds. After an early battle with Vlok, Seller, knowing that second place would give him the championship, rode a tactical race to make sure of the title. Vlok had to settle for third. A poor start hindered Iozzo’s 600 challenge in the opening heat. Although he was able to narrow the gap to Otto, he had to settle for second behind the rider from George. Roberts was another who didn’t have a great start but his race didn’t improve. A huge crash through the high-speed Hangar corner ended his race day. Luckily he wasn’t hurt, but his bike was a write-off. Ntisana and Themba had a great fight for the Bridgestone SuperBike win, with Ntisana just in front at the flag. Thomas was keeping a watching brief until he crashed out.In the second race, McFadden again grabbed the lead when the lights went out, but he ran wide at the final corner of the opening lap allowing Seller into the lead. For the next couple of laps, Seller led the way with McFadden and Vlok just a couple of bike-lengths behind. Vlok had a spectacular dismount on the main straight after his bike burst into flames, leaving McFadden to challenge the newly crowned champion. This he did just a lap later and went on to take his second win of the day by almost 10 seconds. Otto looked like he was going to take his second SuperSport 600 win of the day when he opened up a substantial gap in the early stages of the race but Iozzo had other ideas and slowly closed the gap, taking the lead on the final lap to claim victory. Ntisana and Themba resumed their battle at the front of the Bridgestone SuperBike field, but Ntisana crashed out early on, leaving Themba to take his first win.

McFadden’s two heat wins gave him the overall SuperBike class win from Seller and Vlok. Iozzo’s second race win was enough to take the overall win in the SuperSport 600 class ahead of Otto while Themba the Bridgestone SuperBike win from Ntisana.

Bradley Cox and Charan Moore Crowned 2020 National Cross Country Champions

Brother Leader Tread KTM’s Bradley Cox and Charan Moore have officially been crowned 2020 National Cross Country champions. The riders received top honours in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend as the series ended with an exciting double-header round in Mid-Illovo.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Moore who snatched up the first OR1 national title of his career. Having only been recruited by the team at the start of the 2020 season, the rider has bolstered his status as one of the front runners in this sport.“I put everything I had into this championship. This KTM family and team made it all the sweeter! Thank you all for helping make this possible,” said an elated Moore.

Brother Leader Tread KTM teammate Bradley Cox stormed to national OR3 glory for the second time in his career. Drawing on the inspiration of his father and racing legend Alfie Cox, the young multi-disciplined talent has been determined to make a name for himself in all facets of South African motorsport.With his sights set on dreams as big as racing the Dakar Rally in the near future, the victory this weekend was an important steppingstone for Cox.

“It takes a village to make this dream happen - thanks to everyone who has been a part of my circle! Hours and hours of hard work goes into this and to see it payoff is always so rewarding,” commented Cox.

A cherry on the top of what was a phenomenally successful season for the team was a second place from Jarryd Coetzee. The OR2 rider fought tooth and nail to defend his 2019 title and will certainly return to try reclaim the top step next year.

“What a season it’s been! From not knowing if we’d even be able to race again this year, to walking away with the OR1 and OR3 National championship – it is a big blessing for the team!I am so proud of the riders and the team for all their hard work and dedication throughout this challenging year. It was a demanding weekend of racing, but everyone gave 110 % and it payed off in the end. We will now regroup and start planning for the 2021 season. Thanks so much to all our riders, their family and everyone in the team for all the sacrifices that made this dream come true for everyone,” said KTM South Africa’s Marketing Manager Louwrens Mahoney.