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MX<br />
RACING<br />
Written by Mark Sangster.<br />
Photos by Brodalka Photography.<br />
PICS BY ZYGMUND BRODOLKA<br />
Anthony Raynard<br />
H I G H F L Y I N G I N<br />
THE FREESTATE<br />
Fitz-Gerald takes control of SA National MX Champs in Bloemfontein.<br />
Bloemfontein, Saturday 28 May – During a<br />
very consistent race day, Kerim Fitz-Gerald<br />
enjoyed great starts and amazing finishes to<br />
take both the MX1 and MX2 divisions in fine<br />
style. It was a perfect day for competing,<br />
with the morning coolness soon offset by<br />
the nice afternoon warmth, and the great<br />
BORC track that was tacky all day, despite<br />
the dryness. Fitz-Gerald had obviously been<br />
training hard, and was determined to regain<br />
his form at this event. His hard work and<br />
competitive edge came through as he put in<br />
an excellent day’s work on the track.<br />
In the second MX2 heat it was quite the<br />
tussle between Kerim, Anthony Raynard<br />
and Tristan Purdon. It was hometown rider<br />
Johan Vogelesang who got the holeshot, and<br />
started off the heat in the lead for the first<br />
few laps, which was a great moment for the<br />
local rider. Ant then snuck into the lead and<br />
managed to stay ahead for a few laps before<br />
Tristan came out of nowhere to take the<br />
lead from him. He managed to hold the lead<br />
for the rest of the race, and looked like he<br />
was heading for victory before Kerim snuck<br />
past him on the outside on one of the last<br />
corners for an exciting win.<br />
“I wasn’t feeling so good at practice, and the<br />
track felt a bit thick, so I was a bit surprised<br />
at getting pole position, but I really wanted<br />
to be there, you know, I was excited to be<br />
in Bloem,” said Fitz-Gerald. “I got good<br />
starts in my MX1 races, and Ant and I were<br />
yoyo-ing back and forth up front, but I<br />
managed to get through a little bit quicker<br />
than him. In the MX2 races I also got two<br />
really good starts and controlled the races<br />
from the offset. I was really happy with my<br />
performance on the day.”<br />
The MX1 division saw Fitz-Gerald<br />
dominating from the start, along with<br />
Anthony Raynard, but Kerim proved his<br />
superiority and form to keep Ant at bay<br />
throughout, putting down two division wins<br />
for the day.<br />
62 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE JULY 2016
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