Summarize

Pepson Plastics Husqvarna Racing came home smiling from a dusty, rough and tough Koue Bokkeveld 400 second round South African Cross Country Moto championship with a strong points haul across the board on Saturday. In a race run in ideal weather conditions albeit blighted by dust across the mountains north of the Western Cape town of Ceres, the Husqvarna team brought home a second overall and two second-places in class as all four riders finished the race.

Pepson Plastics Husqvarna Racing OR1 Open class star Kenny Gilbert started the weekend with third overall in Friday afternoon’s time trial before moving up to second on the first of Saturday’s two faster, dustier loops over the same track, before maintaining station through the second half of the race run over three laps of a shorter, more technical ‘virgin’ loop that none of the riders had ridden before. 

“I’m happy with today,” Pretoria rider Kenny admitted. “It was a tough race and we come away tied in the championship lead, which is good, but today was all about the dust and starting third behind the quads was a bit of a challenge in the opening lap. “I lost a little ground through that, so I worked on maintaining a good pace from there — my Husqvarna rode like a dream and the team was wonderful as always — thanks to everyone for a great weekend. “Now for the big one — it’s the Desert Race double-header in Botswana next — bring it on!”

The Koue Bokkeveld was Taki Bogiages’ first race in five weeks following an injury and the Pretoria rider was delighted to bring his Pepson Plastics Husqvarna FX350 home second in OR2. “Set backs lead to come backs and I’m delighted with second today!” Taki confirmed. “It was dusty and the time trail was very important, but I enjoyed the open long loop with a cool mix of terrain from fast to technical and flowing sections in between. “The short lap was really dusty, but I’m happy to bounce back with a safe second. “Thanks to the team for a great bike — now its back to training ahead of Botswana.”

Boksburg youngster Travis Ghelig followed Bogiages home fourth in OR2. “Ceres was a tough day,” Travis explained. “I never had the best time trail, so I started well back and the race was very dusty and rocky, which made it difficult to pass. “Then I took a small tumble on the second lap, which let two people back past, but after the decontrol I felt really good and managed to push hard and make up a few places. My Pepson Plastics Husqvarna FX350 was amazing, we never had any problems and the team was amazing as always — thanks to all my sponsors as well as the team — now for the Desert Race!”

Masters class rider Iain Pepper completed a good day at the races for his Pepson Plastics Husqvarna team with 8th among a strong grid of madala riders. “It was so dusty out there so it was so difficult to pass, but my Husqvarna was brilliant over the rocky terrain and I really had a great race “I was also happy to go the distance — thanks to the team for all the support. “Now it's to train and get ready for the big one in Botswana in six weeks time…”

“Pepson Plastics  Husqvarna Racing had a good weekend in the dusty Koue Bokkeveld,” Husqvarna Motorcycles South Africa Brand Manager Fred Fensham concluded. “Conditions were tough with limited visibility but all the lads delivered solid results for the team and the championships are looking good. “We now have a break to prepare for the Toyota 1000 Desert Race in Botswana 23-25 June — that’s the biggest race of the season with pretty much two races back to back — another perfect test for Pepson Plastics Husqvarna Racing!”