He may have done it by three-hundredths of a second, but Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki Master, Pieter Holl, pulled off an incredible double at the second round Trademore South African Cross Country Championship race at Jolivet in KwaZulu Natal on Saturday. Kenny Gilbert meanwhile bounced back with a fine second in Seniors, backed up by Brian Bontekoning in sixth.
“Today was one of those days I will never forget,” Pieter Holl admitted. “The race was stopped because of a bush fire on the route and then restarted, so when we finished, we knew it would be a very close result when they added the two halves of the race together. And man, was it close! “I won by three-hundredths of a second after three and a half hours of racing! So huge thanks once again to Iain and the Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki crew for a great bike and what is becoming a fairy tale season for me!”
2022 champion Kenny Gilbert was second in Seniors for Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki, ahead of teammate Brian Bontekoning in sixth. “I have come back to a far more competitive Seniors class,” Gilbert smiled. “Jolivet was fast, dusty, and tricky, so I rode well within my limits and had a really good day out there to end up second. Well done to the organisers, my winning teammate, and to everyone who finished the race. “And thanks to my Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki team for a great effort as always!”
It was a tougher day at the office for OR3 sensation Wian Wentzel following his debut victory last time out. “I got lost and did the entire time trail loop,” Wian rued. “That cost 30 minutes and then when I was eventually back on the main route and trying to catch up, bad luck struck again when my front brakes disappeared. “It was just one of those days, but I am strong, motivated, and ready to go at it at the next National.”
“We had a good day at Jolivet, Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki team boss Iain Pepper summed it up. “Pieter came out hot and won Masters to retain his red plate, Kenny rode brilliantly to hold Louwrens Mahoney off to take second, and Brian was a solid sixth. “Unfortunately Wian took the wrong turn on lap 1 and did an extra 20 km, but that’s just racing and he will be back, that’s for sure.”
The Trademore South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship now takes a break until the Vryburg double header on 16 and 17 June, but it’s already back to action for Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki Racing at the second round Gauteng GXCC race at Rysmierbult already this coming weekend.
