After an 18-year hiatus, MXGP returns to Africa for the 11th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams are primed for the challenge. Held at the Terra Topia MX Track on the north-western outskirts of Johannesburg, the circuit becomes the fourth venue in the nation’s history to host a Grand Prix. This marks only the sixth time the series has visited South Africa—a legacy that began in 1985 with Yamaha’s Jacky Vimond taking victory at Corobrik, followed by stints at Sun City and most recently Nelspruit in 2008.
This weekend marks a first-time racing at Grand Prix level in Africa for every single rider on the gate, but the real challenge will be racing at such high altitude. Racing at 1,800m means oxygen is scarce—a factor that saps engine power and pushes the athletes’ physical endurance to the absolute limit.
As the teams and riders transition from the heat of Italy and Portugal to the cooler, 15-degree temperatures of Johannesburg, South Africa, the focus shifts toward mastering this entirely new environment.
While the altitude remains a variable for everyone, both teams and riders have put in the work through targeted testing over the past month to be as ready as possible for the thin air of Johannesburg.
Tim Gajser
4th MXGP World Championship Standings, 371-points
“Heading to South Africa, it’s a new track, a new location—new everything. I’ve seen some pictures of the track and it looks really good. It’s at altitude, so that will make a difference to how the bike performs, but we’ve done some testing to prepare and be ready for these conditions. We leave on Wednesday, so it has been a short week with a quick stop at home after Portugal. It looks quite chilly there with 15 degrees on the forecast, which is a bit different to what we have been racing in recently. The goal is the same as always: I just want to have fun riding my dirt bike and enjoy doing what I love. I know what I am capable of, so the main goal is to just have fun.”
Maxime Renaux
5th MXGP World Championship Standings, 334-points
“It’s a new track and location this weekend, and I am really looking forward to it. The track looks nice on video and in pictures; it looks quite big with big jumps, so I think it is going to be fun to ride. Since the track is at altitude, we have done some work on the bike to be as ready as we can be—now we just have to see how it goes during the racing. Racing at altitude is also tougher on the body, and having never raced at such a high elevation, I don’t quite know what to expect. I’m still struggling a bit with my health, so I am doing everything I can to recover and be as strong as possible for the weekend. I hope I can have a good weekend with solid results, and to be on the podium again would be great.”
Janis Reisulis
6th MX2 World Championship Standings, 355-points
“Going to a new continent is always an interesting experience. I’ve seen a bit of the track, and it looks nice; the soil looks similar to some tracks in Latvia, so it should be fine. It’s impossible to find this kind of altitude where I live, but I’m sure the team has everything under control, and my body is ready for it as well. The plan is to travel Wednesday and stay as rested as possible. Herjan is very good with these things, so I’m not stressed about how I will feel this weekend. The goal is to stay calm, find a good feel for the bike, and of course, enjoy this adventurous trip.”
Karlis Reisulis
8th MX2 World Championship Standings, 273-points
“The track is looking good, and since I’ve never been to Africa, it’s going to be a nice experience. There isn’t really anywhere to prepare for this type of altitude, and I’ve just finished my only MX training session this weekend before heading out on Wednesday. As for expectations, my goal is not to have a goal.”
Photocredits – Full Spectrum Media
