Meyersdal motocross star Gianno Ferreira sets sights on Junior Worlds

Nine-year-old Gianno Ferreira from Meyersdal has set his sights on competing at the Junior Worlds after earning his Protea colours at the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations in Namibia.

The young rider spends hours training at the Chestnut Hill Motocross Park in Bronkhorstspruit, practising on Wednesdays from 14:30 to 16:00 and on weekends from 07:00 to 15:00.

A spark from online

It all started when Gianno was just four years old.

“I just always wanted to become a good motocross rider,” Gianno says.

With no family history in the sport, his passion was ignited online.

“He used to watch YouTube and then he said to me, ‘Mom, I want to race’ and I just said the sport is too dangerous,” recalls his mother, Fatima Ferreira.

“On New Year’s Eve, during our family resolutions, he said, ‘I won’t tell you because you won’t let me do it.’ The mom guilt set in, and when I asked him again, he said, ‘I just want to race’.”

His father, Ricardo Ferreira, remembers how clear Gianno’s determination was from that very early stage.

“He was adamant he was going to race one day and get his South African colours,” says Ricardo.

Overcoming setbacks

The family gave in and bought him a PW50 when he was about six years old.

His natural ability surprised everyone immediately.

“Within seven months when we were racing regionally, they said to me, ‘You need to come off, he’s on top of it’,” Fatima says.

By 2025, Gianno began competing seriously, finishing second in Gauteng and the Interprovincials, while becoming the youngest rider on the South African national team. However, his debut season was halted when a collision in Zimbabwe resulted in a broken arm.

“That was almost our race season done for last year,” Ricardo says. “This year he pushed a lot, and with our support, he pulled it off. We’re over the moon.”

The battle for Africa

Gianno returned to the sport even stronger, winning his northern regionals and sitting first in the Interprovincials.

His biggest competitive challenge to date came at the African Motocross Championship in Namibia.

“It was probably Moto3 when I had to fight really hard to get into the second position,” Gianno explains.
To deal with the immense pressure of the moment, he relies on a simple mindset and a pre-race routine at the starting gates.

“I just have fun and it goes away,” Gianno says. “I try to get it out on the start, like I do my thing, try to get it out the system before we start. So, on the start, I usually like whack my head; make sure I’m in the zone, ready for racing.”

Watching from the sidelines was an intense experience for his parents.

“It was nerve-racking, I was screaming,” Fatima says. “The jumps are huge and the track conditions are insane, but you could see his hunger when he passed a rider on the third-last corner.”

Ricardo adds that seeing the SA flag on his shirt made the moment extra special.

Podium finish and promised blazers

Gianno finished second overall in Africa, a result that exceeded his own expectations.

“I was expecting to finish top five but yes, it really surprised me,” Gianno says.

For Fatima and Ricardo, the achievement brought them to tears.

“We cried. It’s been very emotional. We didn’t expect it,” Fatima says.

Ricardo recalled how Gianno tried on a friend’s Protea blazer a year previously, promising that he would own one one day. Just over a year later, he achieved that goal.

Family sacrifices

Despite his rapid success, his parents never expected to be guiding a national sports star.

“I don’t think we’ve ever realised it; we’ve just enjoyed the journey because we’ve spent so much time as a family,” Ricardo says.

“From day one there’s been so many people around us that have said he’s got a natural knack for it, but we’ve always just said the most important thing is just create memories and have fun. And that’s just what we’ve tried to do to this date.”

Supporting Gianno’s ambitions requires major travelling and financial adjustments from the entire family.

“It has been a costly journey involving financial sacrifices, and his sister Tatiana has had to sacrifice many weekends, but doing it together as a family has meant a lot,” Fatima explains.

To keep life balanced, Ricardo travels to the tracks with Gianno while Fatima stays with Tatiana.

The parents also ensure that Gianno continues to live a normal childhood.

“School is a priority, and he ranks in the top five in his grade,” Fatima says. “He still skips training for birthdays to be a kid, and we enjoy camping and fishing together.”

Eyes on global stage

When races do not go according to plan, Gianno handles the disappointment quietly.

“Usually, I don’t have people by me and then I just try to get out of it eventually,” he says.

He credits his motivation to his family.

Looking forward, Gianno has clear goals for the remainder of the season.

“I’m hoping to achieve my blazer and the national title,” he says. “In three weeks, I’ll ride the final national to determine my overall South African ranking.”

To progress further and reach the global stage, corporate sponsorship will be crucial.

“Sponsorship for us parents would be huge for our son,” Fatima says. “He’s currently sponsored by 6D Helmets where he gets a new helmet every year that gets renewed.

“Fast KTM has given us discounts on parts which have helped us an immense amount. But sponsorship for my son would help us immensely.”

The family also thanked Tork Craft for their continued support.

“I just wish companies would start believing in young riders. This is the future of South Africa.”

Gianno would love to represent South Africa at the Junior Worlds overseas. Receiving his Protea colours was his first dream, and competing at the Junior Worlds is his second – but he needs financial support to make it happen.

As he prepares for his final national race, Gianno offers encouragement to other aspiring young riders: “Keep trying, never give up and just believe in your dreams, it will always come true.”

People interested in sponsoring Gianno can contact his mother at 082 409 3998.