The 2026 South African National Motocross Championship has officially reached the chequered flag, with East London providing the final battleground of a season packed with speed, pressure and plenty of competition.
Round 7 brought the championship to its conclusion, giving riders across the classes one final opportunity to put their mark on the season. With titles on the line and special awards also being handed out, the finale delivered a fitting end to another demanding year of national motocross racing.
East London wasn’t simply the final stop on the calendar — it was the last test.
MX1 and MX2 Set the Pace
The premier MX1 class saw Ethan Hoffman take the Round 7 victory aboard his Yamaha, finishing ahead of KTM-mounted Jordan Van Wyk and Yamaha rider Mark James Carty.
Jayden Proctor crossed the line fourth, followed by Kade Van Deventer, Johan Vogelesang, Eben Van Rooyen and Blake Osner.
MX2 delivered another strong performance from Van Wyk, who claimed the class win on his KTM. Jayden Proctor finished second, with Riley Rocher completing the podium.
Trent Valsecchi, Mark James Carty, Aiden Henley, Thor Johnson, Breece Romans, Ashton Martin and Andrew Venter rounded out the top 10.
The crossover of riders competing strongly across the senior categories underlined just how competitive the championship environment has become.
Young Riders Put Their Stamp on the Finale
While the headline classes naturally attract attention, the national championship’s future was also on display across the junior categories.
In the 50cc class, Nate Small took the win on his KTM, followed by Casper De Mist Kruger and Gianno Ferreira. The field also featured Logan Fulton, Garry Hamer, Nick Du Toit, Mylan Barnes and Luke Celliers.
The 65cc class went to Richard Smith on Yamaha, with Riley Geldenhuys second and Luan Jordaan third.
In the 85cc category, Brody Bircher topped the final-round standings aboard a KTM. Ross Mackenzie finished second, while Seth Van Der Walt completed the podium.
The High School class produced another KTM victory, with Trenton Kretzmann taking P1 ahead of Trent Valsecchi and Evan Frost.
These categories remain a crucial part of the national series, giving developing riders the competitive environment needed to build racecraft, confidence and experience before moving into the senior ranks.
Strong Competition Across the Field
The supporting classes also delivered their share of action.
Krige Van Der Merwe secured victory in MX Senior Support aboard his Husqvarna, with Shaun Johnson and Divan Pretorius completing the top three.
In MX3 Vets, Brandon Wheeler took the chequered flag on his Honda, followed by Matthew Lockhart-Ross and Jason Hill.
The MX Ladies class saw Mackenzie Bam claim the Round 7 victory on her Husqvarna. Kelly Beetge finished second, with Jessica Osner third, followed by Caitlin Parkes, Genevieve Edwards and Phillipa Huxtable.
Across every category, the same objective remained: get to the final chequered flag in the strongest possible position.
A Season Ends, But the Battle Continues
With Round 7 complete, the 2026 South African National Motocross Championship can officially close the book on another season.
The finale celebrated the riders who took Round 7 victories, the newly crowned champions and those who earned special recognition throughout the weekend.
For the competitors, however, the end of one championship is already the beginning of the next challenge. The bikes will eventually be packed away, the results recorded and the trophies displayed — but preparation for another season will soon begin.
From the youngest 50cc competitors to the MX1 front-runners, East London provided one final reminder of what national motocross demands: speed, consistency, resilience and the ability to deliver when it matters most.
The 2026 season is now in the books. The next battle is already waiting.
