Durban North teen races to fifth SA title
Trenton Kretzmann, a Grade Seven learner at Virginia Preparatory School, won his fifth South African Motocross (MX) Championship recently.
TRENTON Kretzmann (right)clinched his fifth South African Motocross (MX) Championship recently and made history in the process.
The 13-year-old is now the youngest rider to win five SA MX titles. He now holds SA titles in the 50cc (twice), 65cc and 85cc classes (twice).
The records don’t end there though as Kretzmann has now won three SA titles in a row.
The sport of MX, which takes place on off-road courses, is considered one of the most physically demanding motorcycle sports.
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The Grade Seven Virginia Preparatory School learner also touched on some goals he had for this year’s championship.
“My goal for this year was to win back-to-back 85cc titles and be consistent over the seven rounds of racing. I’m kind of speechless over what has happened this season but I’m absolutely thrilled. I felt I showed my full potential this year. I also put in a lot more hours training which were important,” he said.
Another aspect of his training he specifically focused on was his starts.
“Before I race I watch every start at the event and work out a counter in my head on what to do. In motocross, reaching a corner first in the race is important because it allows you to dictate the line. You also generally don’t have as much mud being splashed onto your visor,” he explained.
Next year he plans to move up to the class in the sport where he will be the youngest in the class.
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“My goal shifts to next year and my aim is to be in the top five at least. It is going to be so much tougher and there is a big power and weight difference with the bikes. The competition is also much tougher but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m busy modifying and kitting out a bike a the moment. My dad and I have stripped it all the way down to the frame and I’m tweaking the bike as we go along,” he said.
His overall goal is to ride and compete in the USA one day.
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