With a wealth of experience and knowledge, team manager Darrel Fitz-Gerald will once again lead the hunt for championship titles.
“In my 28-year career of MX racing I was fortunate enough to travel the world and witness first-hand what it takes to be successful in this sport. I know the physical and mental demand that MX riders face, and will guide and advise the team in every way that I can,” said Fitz-Gerald.
Meet the 2018 Red Bull KTM squad:
Kerim Fitz-Gerald is considered by sports reporters as the ‘usual suspect’ for a podium finish in both MX1 and MX2.
Since first taking a seat on a bike at the age of four, Fitz-Gerald has dominated every age group on the South African motocross circuit in various championships.
As the most experienced rider on the team, he will take his place at the start line with nine national championship titles to his name.
He set off on the back-foot last year when he suffered from an injury during the first race of the season. Unsurprisingly, he managed to claw his way back through the ranks to finish the overall MX1 and MX2 season on the podium.
It is no secret that the 31-year old local hero has stepped into the latter season of his MX career. It has been a year since he walked away with a national title, and Fitz-Gerald is determined to make the most of every opportunity for MX glory that he can get.
“Right now I’m still racing to win. And when I can’t do that anymore, I’m going to keep giving back to the motocross community and give other youngsters the same opportunity to race that I’ve had,” said Fitz-Gerald.
Team manager Darrel Fitz-Gerald notes: “From what we’ve seen, Kerim’s consistency really starts to pick up mid-season. This year we want to change that and have him come in better from round one.”
This season marks the start of Joshua Mlimi’s third year in the MX2 class, where he plans to break through the elusive barrier that has kept him from the podium.
The young gun has edged painfully close to an overall third spot for the last two years, and is determined to throw off his “rookie” status as an MX2 rider and raise his competitive edge.
“I want to finally crack the podium in the overall standings. I’m no longer a rookie in the MX2 class and have enough experience to get the job done now,” said Mlimi.
He mentions making fitness a priority in his pre-season preparations and adds, “I’m feeling good on and off the bike right now. Fitness is a huge aspect of racing – both mentally and physically. I noticed a big change mid-season last year when I suddenly stopped worrying about what everyone else was thinking, and started believing in myself.”
Ross Branch will be a hot contender in the MX1 class this season. The Botswana native, who is suitably known as the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’, is no stranger to the world of motocross.
He boasts an array of titles as the 2011 FIM Motocross champion and a multiple African Motorcycle Union (AMU) winner.
“I’m really looking forward to the 2018 MX series – this year marks 25 years of racing for me so it’s really nice to be lining up with the best riders in South Africa,” said Branch.
The rider was welcomed to the Red Bull KTM team last year, and balanced the motocross season with a determined pursuit of a back-to-back Cross Country victory.
He has a narrow focus on the MX podium this season, and said, “I’m giving it my best and want to see that KTM 450 SX-F on the podium!
Camden Mc Lellan will step into the new season with a high level of confidence after raking the Pro Mini class in a complete whitewash last year.
The youngster has been ear-marked as the next best thing for the South African motocross scene, and will represent his country overseas for a large portion of the 2018 season.
“It’s a big year for me. I have the opportunity to race in the ADAC and European Junior Championship, where I’ll be working hard to get podium results. My sights are also set on Junior Worlds again in Australia this year – I want to win that title,” said Mc Lellan.
He spent two weeks at the end of 2017 training in Germany to get used to what he describes as “different conditions and gnarly tracks.”
Locally, the youngster will make a step up to the High School class this season. He will only race four out of the seven rounds in South Africa on his new KTM 125 SX.
After witnessing his brother’s unrelenting pursuit of a championship title, Nate Mc Lellan will have the opportunity to blaze his own path of glory in the Pro Mini class this season.
The rising talent faced a seven-week setback after he broke his collarbone last year, but managed to fight back enough points to bow out of the 85-cc class with a respectable fourth place.
“I will be one of the younger riders in the Pro Mini class, and I know there’s a large number of quality riders that I’ll be up against. But age is not a problem and my ambition is still to win the Pro Mini championship,” said Mc Lellan.
KTM has held the Pro Mini title for the past two years, so it will be up to Mc Lellan and Jonathan Mlimi to maintain that winning streak.
Mlimi is another young gun aiming for glory. He will make the step up to the Pro Mini class after ending the 85-cc chapter of his career on the podium.
Mlimi has high hopes of making 2018 one of his most memorable seasons yet. With a laser focus on the Pro Mini championship and another AMU title, he comments: “’I’ve put in all the work I possibly could, both on and off the bike. I just love my KTM 85 SX and can’t wait for the first gate to drop!”
2018 MSA National Motocross dates to diarise:
- 17 February: Rover Raceway, Eastern Cape
- 07 April: Thunder Valley, KwaZulu-Natal
- 19 May: BORC, Free State
- 07 July: Terra Topia, Gauteng
- 11 August: Zone 7, Western Cape
- 08 September: Welkom MX Track, Free State
- 20 October: Dirt Bronco, Gauteng