National Cross Country | Double Header | Upington
The Brother Leader Tread KTM team stormed the podium at the National Cross Country double-header, Round 4 and 5, this past weekend, held for the first time in Upington. With a brand-new location and track, the team in orange showcased their dominance, securing podium finishes across the board.
Leading the charge was Kerim Fitz-Gerald, who claimed both class wins in the Senior class. After battling a wrist injury that hindered him from firing on all cylinders earlier this season, Fitz-Gerald was thrilled to finally cross the finish line and do so in spectacular fashion, taking top honours in both rounds and finishing his first full races of the season.
“It feels amazing to be back on the bike and to win both rounds this weekend,” said Fitz-Gerald. “Happy to climb the leader board and put two days of good racing in. These double headers are quite difficult, not just for the riders but for the team and the crew as well, just a big thank you to the whole team and all the support we receive.”
In the fiercely competitive Open Class, Scott Heygate and Brad Cox were relentless in their pursuit of victory. Heygate, just shy of class wins, pushed hard against rival Davin Cocker. Round 4 saw him secure second overall and in his class after a close battle following a strong time trial start. Round 5 presented additional challenges, but Heygate’s willpower saw him once again finish second in his class.
“Both days were pretty good overall, a few small mistakes on my side kept me from the top step which I feel was achievable, but regardless of the setbacks we still put in good points for the championship with one round to go, it’s not over yet”, said Heygate. “A massive thank you to the whole Brother Leader Tread KTM Team and Uncle Kevin for all the hours he puts in on the bikes. The competition was fierce, but we’re ready to come back even stronger in Bloem.”
Brad Cox, a fan favourite and seasoned rider, had a strong weekend despite a challenging season. In Round 4, after starting far back in the time trial, Cox fought his way up the ranks to claim a podium spot. Round 5 wasn’t without its own set of difficulties, requiring a filter change and rear-brake adjustments. Nevertheless, Cox showed his fighting spirit, rounding off the podium again and finishing with a solid 3-3 for the weekend.
“It was great to come to a new venue and destination. The organizers did a fantastic job and put in a lot of effort, which I really appreciated. Finally injury-free after a couple of tough months, and it’s allowed me to focus on my racing back in SA again.” Cox said. “It’s been a tough year, but this weekend was a real confidence booster. The team worked hard to get everything sorted, and I’m happy to have put it on the podium. We’re definitely heading into the final round with momentum on our side.”
Youngster Matthew Wilson also made his mark, finishing second in both rounds of the double header. Engaging in a tight battle with Luke Walker in round 4, Wilson’s performance has set the stage for an intense final round in Bloemfontein, where the championship title is still very much up for grabs.
“It was a tough but great weekend all in all. The battles were intense, but that’s what makes racing exciting,” Wilson remarked. “I’m happy to be on the podium and really looking forward to Bloem – it’s going to be a thrilling finish to the season.”
Team Manager Kerim Fitz-Gerald expressed immense pride in the team’s performance, highlighting the collective effort that made the weekend a success.
“The team showed incredible strength and persistence this weekend,” Fitz-Gerald said “From my own comeback to Scott and Brad overcoming challenges on the track, every rider pushed themselves to the limit. We’ve set a strong foundation going into the final round, and I’m confident that we’ll continue to see great results.”
With podium finishes across all categories, the Brother Leader Tread KTM team has once again demonstrated their excellence in the national circuit, setting their sights on the final round with the momentum clearly on their side. Last round in Bloem and they are #ReadyToRace!
Published by: Megan Prinsloo
Photography by: Sage Lee Voges – ZCMC Media
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