Summarize

Maddy Malan was quite literally on fire as he rode his Q4 Fuel Husqvarna to double victories at his home 2018 TRP Distributors SA National Motocross Championship round at Thunder Valley at Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. Malan took three wins — two in MX2 and a win and a second in MX1 to deliver a Q4 Racing Husqvarna Racing 1-2 with teammate Caleb Tennant in MX1, while Tennant also ended fifth in MX2 and Niel van der Vyfer powered to third in the 65cc schoolboy class and Tennant also ended fifth in MX2.

“Wow, what a day!” a delighted Maddy Malan confirmed after spraying the champagne. “A double win at my home motocross national at Thunder Valley Pietermaritzburg — what more can I ask for? “I won both races to take MX1 overall and then took a win and a second to take MX2 overall so I took the red plate too. “My starts weren’t the best but managed to work my way through the field in all the motos.”

Malan returned to the saddle following a crash and a lengthy period of recuperation from injury last season: “I felt great on the bike this weekend and best of all, I now really feel like I’m back! ”Huge thanks to my team Q4 Fuel Husqvarna racing and all my other awesome sponsors who support me 110% — I really am feeling blessed!”

Thunder Valley also proved a positive day for Cape Town rider Caleb Tennant, who added a strong second behind Malan in a Q4 Husqvarna 1-2 to move into the MX1 championship lead, while adding a second and an 8th to end up fifth overall to consolidate his MX2 title charge. “That was a good day all-round — a strong second in a great 1-2 with my Q4 Fuel Husqvarna teammate, consolidates my position in the championship along with good results in MX2 too,” Caleb pointed out. “Thanks as always to the team for the great bikes and incredible support.”

Unstoppable in 50s last year, Neil van der Vyver continued to improve aboard his Q4 Fuel Husqvarna in the 65cc class with a couple of third places to tie on points in third overall for the day. “We came to Thunder Valley looking to improve and we went from sixth to third, so we are pretty happy with that,” Neil explained. “We still have some work to do but we are getting there fast — that’s also thanks to an incredible team around me and I am now looking forward to rewarding Q4 Husqvarna Racing for its belief in me.”

“Q4 Husqvarna Racing came, saw and conquered Thunder Valley,” Husqvarna South Africa brand Manager Fred Fensham concluded. “The guys delivered an incredible result today — two wins, a second, a third and a fifth and we go on to Bloemfontein in a strong position in the championships. “Congratulations to the entire Q4 Racing Husqvarna team - you have done us proud, one and all!”

Q4 Fuel Husqvarna Racing races with Liqui Moly lubricants, Metzeler tyres, FMF Racing Exhausts and WP suspension. The next round of the 2018 TRP Distributors SA National Motocross Championships is in Bloemfontein in the Free State, Saturday 19 May.