South Africa score 6th at 65th Motocross of Nations

The 65^th edition of the
historic Motocross of Nations saw Team South Africa (Gareth Swanepoel, Tyla
Rattray, Shannon Terreblanche) place 6^th overall in St Jean
d’Angely France over the weekend.

A sellout crowd of 68.000
spectators from all over the world lined the hillside circuit waving their
colorful flags to support their countries stars.  Tyla Rattray rode a
strong first moto for 5^th while Terreblanche battled against the
stronger 450 machines.

Gareth Swanepoel rode an 
impressive second moto for South Africa as he kept Belgian Kevin
Strijbos  in his sights while holding off Brett Metcalfe and team
Australia.  Swanepoel’s 6^th place finish put TEAM SA
high up the score boards and in contention for a podium position despite a
tough result for Terreblanche.

The grand finale had the crowd on
their feet as the gate dropped.  Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey
controlled the race put front while Rattray secured 3^rd in front
of Britain’s Tommy Searle.  ‘Swanie’  took
second gate pic for SA and although he got a good jump he was swallowed up
down the start straight and left down in the pack.  He recovered to
18^th spot with Rattray securing 3^rd.

“This is my seventh MXON for
South Africa and as always it is great to represent my country.  The
team missed last year due to financial constraints so a big thanks needs to
go out to the guys that helped put this together. Geoff Den our team
manager got the ball rolling and Billy Docherty and Malcolm Joubert from
from G2 trading stepped up to help as did Jaco Smit , Adillia Teixeira and
all the SA media.  I also want to thank G2 Trading , Aquarius Shipping
International , Bidvest Yamaha ,  Sun City , Classique Aviation ,
Larmesh Metals , Two Wheels , Enduro World , Full Throttle , Race Star
Graphics who all contributed to the team.

Langston Racing , TRP Products ,
Venture Sport , Scott , IMAS , Jonnesway Tools ,Bike Product Services all
donated prizes to help raise funds so thanks guys!

And of course thanks to the Star
Racing Yamaha guys and my mechanic Eric for supporting me.  I
can’t wait for MXON in Belgium next year!” vowed
Swanie.

Swanepoel will travel home to South
Africa for a well deserved rest before returning to the USA where he has
extended his contract with the Star Racing Yamaha team to race in the AMA
SX lites and MX championship for 2012.

Race results:

Nations top ten: USA, France,
Australia, Great Britain, Belgium, South Africa, Germany, Spain, The
Netherlands, Estonia. 

Race 1 top ten: 1. Chad Reed (AUS,
Honda), 35:52.640; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), +0:03.485; 3. Ryan Dungey
(USA, Suzuki), +0:04.919; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:21.469; 5.
Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:30.845; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, TM),
+0:32.870; 7. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:38.278; 8. Marvin
Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:44.042; 9. Dean Wilson (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:57.674;
10. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:58.484;

Race 2 top ten: 1. Gautier Paulin
(FRA, Yamaha), 34:14.392; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:02.424; 3.
Ryan Villopoto (USA, Kawasaki), +0:02.813; 4. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM),
+0:05.097; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:19.281; 6. Gareth Swanepoel
(RSA, Yamaha), +0:45.403; 7. Brett Metcalfe (AUS, Suzuki), +0:45.914; 8.
Davide Guarneri (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:56.746; 9. Carlos Campano (ESP,
Yamaha), +0:57.873; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:07.283

Race 3 top ten: 1. Ryan Villopoto
(USA, Kawasaki), 34:51.718; ; 2. Ryan Dungey (USA, Suzuki), +0:00.465; 3.
Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:05.182; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki),
+0:18.156; 5. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:22.628; 6. Evgeny
Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:24.594; 7. Chad Reed (AUS, Honda), +0:24.916; 8.
Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.740; 9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM),
+0:26.356; 10. Brett Metcalfe (AUS, Suzuki), +0:27.098