On Saturday, Yamaha returned to the South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship in winning style. The Everest Wealth Ridgeway Racing Blu Cru won several classes and came home with podiums across the board in a tough fight through the mielies at the BeefCor Bronkhorstspruit season opener.
“Wow, that was the perfect start to Everest Wealth Ridgeway Racing’s National season and a dream return to the South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship for Yamaha!” team boss Harry Grobler beamed after the race. “We dominated the Junior classes with wins in the 65, 85 and 125cc classes, and enjoyed podium finishes in both National classes and also in Seniors and Masters. What a day!”
The day started in perfect style in the Junior classes Saturday morning as Everest Wealth Ridgeway Racing Yamaha duo Ruald Potgieter powered to victory in the 85 Seniors and Ryan Wichman took the 65 cc Juniors win. It went even better in the Senior race Saturday afternoon, where Murray Smith led Tyler Petersen home in a dominant Yamaha High School 125 cc 1-2.
Third overall, Maddy Malan meanwhile powered his Everest Wealth Ridgeway Racing Yamaha YZ 450 FX to third in the Open Class, while Tyron Beverly stormed home to a top-ten ninth and third in OR3 aboard his YZ 250 FX. Marco Cocci rode his Shimwells Yamaha to second in Seniors ahead of Blu Cru man Gerhard Vorster in third, while legend Warrick van Schalkwyk was also second among the Masters men.
“We were on the podium in every class we entered this weekend,” Harry Grobler concluded. “That’s huge considering this was Yamaha’s comeback race in the South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship, which also means that we start off at the sharp end of the championship in every class we compete in.
“So, hats off to a job very well done to every member of our great team. “It’s only onward and upward from here, and Everest Wealth Ridgeway Racing Yamaha is ready to go from strength to strength in 2025!” The team’s next appointment is the third round Gauteng GXCC regional on Saturday, 26 April.
