Kawasaki’s Cross Country Racing Team Green excelled once again at the Porterville, Western Cape fifth round of the Trademore Feeds South African National Cross Country Motorcycle Championship. Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Kawasaki duo, King Kenny Gilbert wrapped up the 2022 Senior Cross Country championship with his fifth win in five races on his KX 450 X this year, while right on the other side of the spectrum, young teammate Jake Pretorius took the baby IPC 65cc win. Both riders consolidated their championship advantages.
CIT Tork Craft Kawasaki duo, OR1 title leader Michael Pentecost rode his KX 450 X home second to consolidate his open class championship lead, while Warrick van Schalkwyk moved into a close second in the Masters class title chase with second at Porterville. Teammate Tyron Beverley’s and Pepson lad Jaycee Nienaber fifth and sixth in OR1. Kawasaki KX 250 X duo John Botha’s Franchise Co Tork Craft machine and Pepson Plastics Kawasaki man Taki Bogiages fought home fifth and seventh in a tough OR3 class outing to keep well in the tight fight for that 250cc title.
“Yesterday was definitely the hardest Cross Country National we have raced so far this year,” Kenny Gilbert admitted, as he caught his breath after another tough day at the office. “But that’s the championship! “It was very fast and relentless, it was 80% sand and 20% rocks. “I had a lot of fun but I’ve got to be honest, five laps of that was not easy! “The Trademore SA Cross Country Championship put on another great event and huge thanks to my incredible team Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Kawasaki Racing with Motul for a splendid KX 450 X today!”
Championship leader Jake Pretorius took the baby IPC 65cc win from title rival Werner Kleynhans. “Today was a very important win for us,” Jake pointed out. “I now have an extra three points in my tight Interprovincial Championship lead heading into the final round. “Thanks so much to Iain and the whole Pepson Plastics Kawasaki team for all the support!”
It was another good day for Mike Pentecost, who is now just five points away from a back-to-back SA Cross Country OR1 Championship win on his Franchise Co Tork Craft KX 450 X. “I got to the finish and put some valuable points in the bag,” Michael confirmed.” My Franchise Co Tork Craft Kawasaki team was amazing this weekend keeping me positive and doing the best for me as always. “I struggled in the first half with bike set up and had some mechanical issues, but we made a few changes in the pits and charged hard from the back.”
Team Green now takes a breather until the Trademore Feeds South African National Cross Country Motorcycle Championship at the season finale at Virginia Hills on KwaZulu Natal on 15 October with three riders leading the championship and another three right in there to stake their claim.
