Summarize

Husqvarna Motorcycles South Africa Friday launched its 2019 racing plans in a nine-man team set to chase championships in South Africa’s three dirtbike championships starting at Port Elizabeth’s motocross season-opener Saturday 23 February. Husqvarna South Africa Brand Manager Fred Fensham confirmed a largely unchanged, but bolstered star-studded team to take on the SA Motocross, Cross Country and Enduro championships.

The biggest change is in the Q4 Fuels Husqvarna Motocross Team, where double-reigning SA champion Caleb Tenant has set off on a US campaign, leaving Nick Adams to join a motivated Maddy Malan and 65cc primary school rider, Niel van der Vyver on the team. Malan is primed for a great season, while team newcomer Adams has a point to prove and van der Vyver is looking to race in front following a solid 65cc rookie season last year.

The Pepson Plastics Husqvarna Cross Country team continues as is for 2019, with Kenny Gilbert fresh from a sensational Dakar debut and intent to wrest the 2019 SA OR1 title, while Taki Bogiagies has shrugged off injury to fight for the OR2 title, while Masters rider and motorsport all-rounder Iain Pepper is chasing to be the madala king.

Great news on the hardcore enduro front is that Brett Swanepoel has returned from injury to bolster the Pepson Plastics Husqvarna Enduro team alongside 2018 riders William Oosthuizen and Matt Green and complete a top drawer Husqvarna Motorcycles South Africa line-up chasing titles across the South African national dirt bike racing scene this year.