Schmidt Victorious again at Bell 400 Van Wyk Leading OR2 Class after Five Rounds

The race format foresaw competitors completing four laps of the 60 km long first loop after which a compulsory 20 minute de control took place before the field headed out onto the second loop (approx. 60 km’s) that had to be completed twice.

 

Brother Broadlink KTM’s Juan ‘Bollie’ van Rooyen had a great start, starting from the second row and taking the holeshot in his class. The experienced rider however had a big crash approx. 10 km’s into the race and had to withdraw from the race due to injury: Van Rooyen first DNF in six years.

 

Tyron Miller who made his comeback into Offroad racing a month ago at the Botswana desert race had a great day in the saddle, piloting his KTM 350 XC-F machine into third place in class. Team mate Johnathan van Wyk had a dramatic day when his mousse collapsed, but managed to nurse his KTM 350 XC-F back to the pits and after a quick change of wheels he went out again and still managed to finish fourth in the OR2 class and is comfortably leading his class.

 

The OR3 class saw some new faces this time around as the Bell 400 Offroad National also formed part of the Natal Harescramble series. Scott Bouverie who normally prefers the more technical riding came prepared onboard his KTM 250 XC-F and piloted his machine into third place in the OR3 class and 12th place overall.

 

In the OR4 class it was Brother Broadlink KTM’s Louw Schmidt from Marble Hall that impressed again on board his KTM 250 XC-F machine and secured his third consecutive class win and finished in 10th place overall, extending his lead in the OR4 class.

 

The team is now looking forward to some more technical riding at the Pilgrim’s Rest National Enduro on 27 July before they get ready for round six of the Offroad Championship that is scheduled for 10 August in the Carletonville area.