Kawasaki Racing is off to the Western Cape for the fifth round of the Trademore South African Cross Country Motorcycle Championship in Porterville this weekend. Team Green has every intention of further improving its already considerably favourable position in the various title chases down in the Cape, with two riders leading their championship classes and fresh off a triple victory last time out.
Senior star Kenny Gilbert remains unbeaten in class in 2022 aboard his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki KX 450 X.“I have had a good run so far this year and I’ve had a ball on my incredible Kawasaki KX450X,” Kenny explains. “Last race was the most demanding of the year and a tough test too, so I’ve worked hard since then to be even stronger for the rest of the season. “That starts with another great SA Cross Country outing down in the Cape this weekend, where I’m looking forward to doing my Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul team proud in Porterville.”
Mike Pentecost meanwhile leads the open class OR1 chase on his Franchise Co.Tork Craft Kawasaki KX 450 X, but he’s looking for more this weekend. “I have had a great run so far this season and won my class once to lead the OR1 title chase and I’m also third overall,” Mike pointed out. “But I’ve only been on the overall podium once and I have had to work hard to maintain my consistency, so let’s see if I can challenge for an overall win in the Cape! “It’s not going to be easy with the likes of Brett, Bradley, and a few others to beat first, but my fire is burning even hotter and I’m more than ready to deliver!”
Taki Bogiages heads to Porterville fresh off his maiden 250cc OR3 Trademore SA Cross Country victory aboard his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki KX 250 X. “I’m so excited for Porterville,” Taki owned up. “I have not raced in the Cape since 2019 so it will be great to head back to that great mix of terrain, which will certainly suit my versatile Pepson Plastics Kawasaki. ”It’s also been wet down there, which is always great to keep the dust down and I’m sure all my OR3 rivals will bring their A game for sure, but I have a great team behind me and we will be ready!”
Another man who has been setting the Cross Country scene on fire is Masters man Warrick van Schalkwyk, who moved up to third in that class chase with a couple of wins aboard his Franchise Co.Tork Craft Kawasaki in the past two races. “We are playing catch-up because I did not race the first round, but it’s been going well since and I have two races to make up the sixteen points between me and the leader,” Warrick admitted. “So there are lots to do still, but we are ready for Porterville. “Bring it on!”
Another Kawasaki rider to impress of late is the ever-improving OR1 man Jaycee Nienaber. “The Cape races are always so challenging, but that’s what it’s all about” Jaycee explained. “I’m excited to be racing in a new area at Porterville and my Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki KX450X will be ready so I cannot wait to race.” Other competitive Kawasakis to keep an eye out for in Porterville include the third man in OR3 last time out, John Botha on his Franchise Co. Tork Craft KX 250 X and TFC Tork Craft man Tyron Beverley in OR1.
Kawasaki’s Junior entries include 85cc kids, TFC Tork Craft lad Jaden Els and Jayden Boyce’s Spanjaard machine, and Jake Pretorius aboard his Pepson Plastics Scottish Cables Motul Kawasaki in the baby Interprovincial 65 cc class. “The Cape round is always a big weekend for so many reasons and Team Green is ready to impress down there this weekend,” Franchise Co. CIT team boss Harry Grobler explained as his Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Motul Racing with Scottish Cables counterpart Iain Pepper concluded: “We have had a great season so far, so the plan is to come back from the Cape even stronger!”
Image source: Action In Motion