The Opening Press Conference on Friday afternoon has officially kicked off the MXGP of South Africa in Johannesburg. At the Terra Topia circuit, all teams gathered to set up their bikes and take a first look at a track and preparing for the racing weekend.
The Opening Ceremony welcomed two national heroes, Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing’s Calvin Vlaanderen and Triumph Factory Racing’s Camden McLellan, who will take part in their first ever home Grand Prix as riders, marking the FIM Motocross World Championship‘s return to South Africa after 18 years. They were joined by David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO & President, FIM Motocross Commission Director’s Antonio Alia, MXGP of South Africa General Manager Rudy Muntonbo and CEO of Mlimi Racing Co Joshua Mlimi.
The press conference closed with a family photo bringing together all the wildcard South African riders taking part in this weekend’s Grand Prix.
Main Photo: (left to right) Joshua Mlimi, Calvin Vlaanderen, David Luongo, Rudy Mutonbo, Camden Mc Lellan, Antonio Alia
Head Photo: Family photo with South African Riders
Quotes from the Opening Press Conference:
David Luongo: “It’s a great day for motocross. It was a long wait to be back in South Africa, a country that’s genuinely one of the top markets in the world for bikes, riders and the passion of the fans. Getting back on the Grand Prix map here was only possible thanks to Rudy and his team, who worked incredibly hard to put all the pieces together. The track is wide, fast and full of character, and with two championships still wide open, this weekend promises great racing. For our two local heroes, racing in front of their own fans and family is a huge achievement.”
Antonio Alia: “It’s very important for the FIM to be here on this fabulous continent, where two riders who were kids not long ago are now fighting for world titles. Thank you to Rudy and everyone behind him for putting this together and making us feel so welcome. From what we’ve seen of the track so far, it’s long, wide and amazing. I wish these two guys, racing at home with plenty of supporters behind them, all the best this weekend.”
Rudy Mutombo: “It’s exciting to be part of the team that’s brought MXGP back to Africa after 18 years. It was a big challenge but seeing how people have responded makes it all worth it. We’re just excited to get things started and have fun with this.”
Joshua Mlimi: “Having raced with Calvin and Camden earlier in my career, I always knew we needed to bring international racing back to South Africa. Taking over this track in 2024, the idea was riders building it for riders, and we’ve beefed it up to reach international standards. Our local riders now have something to race towards at home. After 18 years, we’re finally back.”
Calvin Vlaanderen:“To race in front of my home crowd, in the country where I grew up, with my family and friends here, is honestly a dream come true. I was at Sun City in 2005 as a little kid watching my heroes race and asking for autographs. Now, 15 years into my own career in the paddock, to line up for a Grand Prix in South Africa with people cheering for me is something special. I just want to enjoy every moment, but it’s still a GP weekend, I’m focused, and my goal is to fight for a top five in front of my family and friends.”
Camden McLellan: “The timing feels close to perfect. I grew up 45 minutes from here and used to ride this track, it’s changed a lot since then, credit to Josh and everyone involved. Having my family here, my brother, my grandpa, my uncles, means everything. I don’t approach this weekend any differently, I’m here to win, like I am at every GP, and with the championship battle heating up as we get closer to Australia, this is the perfect time to get back to winning.”
Watch Full Opening Press Conference Here.
TIMETABLE (updated on 3rd July)
SATURDAY: 08:00 Blåkläder Start Practice MX2, 08:35 Blåkläder Start Practice MXGP, 09:15 MX2 Free Practice, 09:45 MXGP Free Practice, 11:50 MX2 Time Practice, 12:30 MXGP Time Practice, 14:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 15:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY: 09:25 MX2 Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:15 MX2 Race 1, 12:15 MXGP Race 1, 14:10 MX2 Race 2, 15:10 MXGP Race 2.
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