Dirt & Trail SEPTEMBER 2022

and second overall. We are extremely happy with results and look forward
to the last round of National Enduro where Brett Swanepoel looks set to
claim his 8th South African championship.”
KTM’s Blake Gutzeit set the field alight with the fastest time of the first
lap after starting in the second row. “It was really difficult to fully charge
from the second row because of some technical bits and riding in Brett’s
dust,” Gutzeit said afterwards.
Gutzeit commented that the roads were very fast and after trying to pass
for some time, the jeep track took a sharp left into some natural bush
which he did not see coming “I went straight into a washaway ditch and
the bike stopped abruptly sending me flying over the bars”.
Team mechanic Kevin Tyrer said “Blake really had his bell rung there” and
Gutzeit was forced to retire due to injuries to his wrist and the hit to his
head.
“That was it for me, which was obviously not what we were looking for
as I felt really good at the start and KTM South Africa supplied me with
everything I needed, really such a great bike and such a great team to be
part of” Gutzeit commented. He went on to say: “I can’t thank Franziska
enough for putting everything in place and really just believing in me, but
it’s time to regroup and move forward onto the next race.”
Brad Cox, back from injury struggled in the early hours of the race, but
managed to claw his way back after regrouping at decontrol.
“I’m not super stoked with 2nd of course but that’s all I had out there
today so I’ll take it as it comes” he said. “The bike was really amazing
and it was so good being back with my orange family on the weekend” he
added.
Young Matthew Stevens said the Winterton event was another awesome
event and that it was the perfect enduro loop that encouraged close
racing. It was evident after four hours of racing with just 10 minutes
separating the top 5 riders.
“I really felt strong all the way through and I’m happy with my progress
keeping the gap close to the big boys in front,” Stevens said. “I’m pleased
with my P5 in J1 and it feels like I’m getting there” he said in closing.