The second last round of the 2022 National Enduro Championship was a battle for the Brother Leader Tread KTM squad.
Blake Gutzeit set the field alight with the fastest time of the first lap after starting in the second row. “It was really difficult to fully charge from the second row because of some technical bits and riding in Brett’s dust,” Gutzeit said afterwards.
Gutzeit commented the roads were very fast and after trying to pass for some time, the jeep track took a sharp left into some natural bush which he did not see coming “I went straight into a wash away ditch and the bike stopped abruptly sending me flying over the bars”.
Team mechanic Kevin Tyrer said “Blake really had his bell rung there” and Gutzeit was forced to retire due to injuries to his wrist and the hit to his head. “That was it for me, which was obviously not what we were looking for as I felt really good at the start and KTM South Africa supplied me with everything I needed, really such a great bike and such a great team to be part of” Gutzeit commented. He went on to say: “I can’t thank Franziska enough for putting everything in place and really just believing in me, but it’s time to regroup and move forward onto the next race.”
Brad Cox back from injury struggled in the early hours of the race but managed to claw his way back after regrouping at decontrol. “I’m not super stoked with 2nd of course but that’s all I had out there today so I’ll take it as it comes,” he said. “The bike was really amazing and it was so good being back with my orange family on the weekend” he added.
Young Matthew Stevens said the Winterton event was another awesome event and that it was the perfect enduro loop that encouraged close racing. It was evident after four hours of racing with just 10 minutes separating the top 5 riders. “I really felt strong all the way through and I’m happy with my progress keeping the gap close to the big boys in front,” Stevens said. “I’m pleased with my P5 in J1 and it feels like I’m getting there,” he said in closing.
