FOUR Rivers Adventures in Winterton near the scenic Champagne Valley will be the battlefield for the first round of the 2014 Liquorland National Enduro Motorcycle Championship.
It takes place this Saturday, February 22 and features a number of South Coast riders, both current and former.
They’re among the country’s best enduro motorcycle competitors and will be in action with their focus on the championships and titles.
All eyes will be on the 17-year-old defending champion, Wade Young (Brother KTM), who will aim to defend his E1 number, as well as the 200cc championship, now called the E1 championship.
He will have his work cut out for him as tough competition is predicted for this season.
Broadlink KTM will push a big team into the field with the Junior National Open Class Champion, Travis Teasdale, who will start his first full enduro season, as well as Scott Bouverie of Harding, who was South Africa’s best finisher at the 2013 Roof of Africa with a third place after recovering fully from a wrist injury last year.
Proudly Bidvest Yamaha’s Kenny Gilbert (E2) and multiple former champion, Marc Torlage (E1), formerly of Paddock, who has recovered from a back injury, will again have their eyes on the titles.
Like Young, a few more youngsters have stamped their authority on the championship and cannot be left out of the picture. This includes Oslo Beach’s Blake Gutzeit (Sherco Racing) who rounded his season off with a second place at the final event.
Kyle Flanagan of Oribi is one of a number of youngsters who has moved up from the Junior National Championship, and although they might be intimidated by the more experienced riders, they have the potential to post good results.
Port Shepstone’s Jody Engelbrecht (TLB Plant Hire KTM) will be aiming to improve on his third place finish in the Senior Class championship, while defending Master Class champion Denzil Torlage, Marc’s father, will be aiming for his seventh consecutive title.
