What GXCC Cross Country Round 3 Race Report
Where Radium, Gauteng
When Saturday 26 April 2025
Community Gauteng Regional
Two in the top ten, class win for Pepson Plastics Kawasaki
Pepson Plastics Kawasaki Racing with Motul and Michelin enjoyed another great outing in the 2025 Gauteng GXCC Cross Country Championship with strong results at a rapid, tough, and muddy Radium third round on Saturday.
“Pepson Plastics Kawasaki showed brilliantly in tough conditions at a fast and muddy Radium” team manager Steve Pretorius explains. “Fourteen-year old Jake Pretorius took a back-to-back OR4 class victory on his Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX250X, while Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX450X duo Wian Wentzel and Jaycee Nienaber came home seventh and tenth overall and on their way to third and fourth in Open OR1.
“Jeff Den cruised home on his return to Veteran class action. Unfortunately, Cameron Becker tore a ligament while leading OR3 aboard his Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX250X and Jayden Boyce’s run on a similar machine in OR3 ProAm ended when he lost engine oil while dragging his stuck bike out of the mud. Masters man Pieter Holl missed the race as he attended a funeral in the Cape.”
Jake Pretorius showed strength and maturity as he bounced back from his bike falling off the trailer on the way to the races, a malfunction with the quick fill fuel system in his stop and a radiator pressure washer failure. Still he charged home a splendid 16th overall for the OR4 win, with only two same age High School 125 class riders ahead. “It was a good day out in awesome track conditions,” Jake smiled. “My Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX250X suited this race and felt better than ever to help achieve an excellent result.”
Wian Wentzel had no issues aboard his “Pepson Plastics Kawasaki KX450X: “What a day out on my powerful KX450X,”Wian reflected. “I rocketed off the start line to grab my first holeshot off the OR1 gate and went on to a good run all in all. The track was demanding, but it made for exciting racing and it was even better when I claimed third place in the OR1 class and seventh overall when I made a crucial pass on the last lap. Thanks to the team for a splendid machine as always and all the support!”
Jaycee Nienaber crashed at Radium a year ago and did not race again for the rest of the season, so he was obviously nervous at the start. “I made a decent start and maintained a good pace, but the second lap was a bit chaotic, and I crashed in the mud and lost my goggles,” Jaycee explained. “So I wasn’t quite myself for the rest of that lap until my stop, where I took another set of goggles. Then I settled down nicely and raced back to tenth overall and fourth in class. Thanks team!”
Cameron Becker was leading OR3 and third overall when he fell. “I picked it up and continued with decent pace, but my knee was sore, so we decided to call it a day after two laps. A pity, but that’s racing. Thanks to my great team!” Jake Pretorius likewise called it quits after lap 2: “I got stuck in the mud and lost too much oil out the breather,” Jayden admitted. “We managed to put enough oil in to get back to the pits for the points. Thanks to my Pepson Plastics team for a great Kawasaki and 100% pit work!”
“Radium challenged us with tough and muddy conditions, but the Pepson Plastics Kawasaki lads still starred ,” Team Principal Iain Pepper concluded, “Well done to Jake, Wian and Jaycee on a splendid result, and to the rest for a great effort.”
*Pepson Plastics Racing salutes it partners, Kawasaki South Africa Motorcycles, Michelin, Motul and bikewise.co.za
Issued on behalf of Pepson Plastics Kawasaki
Photography by: Action in Motion
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