The final round of the 2024 National Motocross Championship at Terra Topia brought scorching temperatures and fierce competition. Representing Husqvarna Racing solo, Barend du Toit faced the heat head-on as he completed his first season in the MX2 class. Despite the rollercoaster year, du Toit delivered a solid performance, rounding off the podium in the second heat and finishing 5th overall for the day.
The blazing conditions didn’t slow Barend du Toit down, as he battled through the heat with determination. Starting his day with 4th place in qualifying, du Toit showed promise from the get-go. His first heat saw him fighting hard, making several key overtakes at the start, but a crash due to pushing too hard resulted in a few mistakes. Despite this setback, he came back stronger in the second heat, securing 3rd place and rounding off his MX2 season on a positive note.
Commenting on his performance, du Toit reflected, “The day started off quite good; I finished fourth in qualifying, and the first heat felt good. I passed a few guys early on but had a crash from rushing it a bit and made a few small mistakes after that. But I brought it back for the second heat and managed to round off the podium. I went 6-3 and finished 5th overall for the day. We’ll make some improvements for next year and come back swinging.”
In the midst of the scorching temperatures, du Toit also took a refreshing ice bath at the track to cool down between heats, a much-needed respite in the blistering conditions.
Despite Davin Cocker being unable to race due to a knee injury, Husqvarna Racing’s spirit remained strong, with du Toit flying the flag for the team at the championship finale.
Team manager Kerim Fitz-Gerald was proud of du Toit’s efforts, saying, “Barend really stepped up today, and his effort was impressive. He put in the work on his fitness, and it showed. Racing solo isn’t easy, but he managed it well and secured a solid finish. This season has had its ups and downs, but ending on a strong note gives us something to build on. We’re looking forward to the off-season to refine our approach and come back with renewed energy next year!”
As the 2024 season draws to a close, Husqvarna Racing is already looking ahead to next year with plans to build on this year’s learnings and come back stronger.
