As the start of the National Motocross season draws near, Husqvarna South Africa has released a mouth-watering line-up of riders ready to battle it out for the country’s premier motocross titles.
Flying the team’s flag in the prestigious MX1 class is 23-year old Maddy Malan. The 2019 season ended on a somewhat dramatic note for the rider who was on the cusp of snatching up the fifth championship title of his career. The nail-biting season finale was cut short due to stormy weather conditions, and the championship winner is yet to be decided.
As he shakes off the disappointment of 2019, the Pietermaritzburg rider is ready for a fresh start having unleashed but a glimpse of his potential. Malan has stormed to national glory as a 65cc Junior, 65 Senior, 85cc and Mx2 rider; and is now preparing to pull out all the stops in his pursuit of the seemingly elusive MX1 title.
“With the team that’s backing me, I know it’s going to be a good year. I can’t wait for it all to start on Saturday – it’s time to get my hands on that MX1 Championship title,” said Malan.
Adding a particular sense of excitement to the team this year is the addition of 17-year old Dalton Venter.As no stranger to the sport, Venter’s earliest memories of riding a motorcycle began at the age of four. It became apparently clear that he had a natural talent in this sport and it wasn’t long before he started sweeping up numerous regional championships. He went on to become the 65cc, 85cc and 125cc African Champion and the National Champion in both the 85cc and 125cc class.
At the end of last year Venter achieved the goal that he’d been dreaming about for a long time – to race for South Africa’s official Husqvarna factory team. With a new level of both motivation and support, Venter will enter the season with a strong determination to shake of his ‘rookie’ status and make a name for himself in the MX2 Class.
South Africa’s rising motocross star Neil van der Vyver will line-up on Saturday as the reigning 65cc Champion. The young gun boasts an array of titles and will be looking to get his hands on the fourth championship of what is undoubtedly a very promising career.
Van der Vyver, who has represented Husqvarna South Africa since 2016, is a talent stacked with potential for not only his team, but the future of South African motorsport as a whole.
Husqvarna South Africa’s Brand Manager Fred Fensham said: “My comments from the start of 2020 have been stacked with passion and pride – the Husqvarna line-up has never been more exciting! We enter what promises to be an action packed season with three champions on the line – and we intend to finish the season on that note!”
