Date: 15 February 2009

Factory Kawasaki and MX 1 GP rider, Gareth Swanepoel, headed to the first round of the Italian Championship in a sunny but cold Montevarchi this past weekend, with full focus on getting prepared for the first round of the MX 1 World Championship that kicks off in under 1 month.

Swanepoel proved that he was starting to gel with the more powerful KX450FS as he put in a smooth qualifying time on the icy circuit to qualify 4th in his group.

As the gate dropped for heat 1, ‘Swanie’ got a great initial jump but battled to put down the immense power of the fuel injected Kawasaki as he wheel spun towards the first corner. Exiting turn 1 he was down in 13th with some serious work to do. The long 30 minute + 2 laps race would be in his favour as the fit South African ripped his way through the pack of international MX1 riders. Putting in great lap times, Swanepoel pulled through the pack as he proved his worth in this premier class finishing in 4th position.

We found Gareth and chatted to him after heat one: “When I came out the first corner around mid pack I realised this was gonna be a tough race for me, but then as the laps ticked by I found I was coming though the pack really well”. “My fitness really helped me in this 35 minute race as I managed to keep pushing hard on the Kawasaki right to the end and got a great result”.

Heat 2 kicked off, and although trying to put down the power a little smoother, Gareth once again lost grip on the icy circuit leaving him in 17th exiting the first corner. Having done it in heat 1 “Swanie” knew he had the speed in himself and the bike to fight through the pack once again. Putting his head down to some serious racing he raced through the pack catching ex MX2 World Champion Cairoli towards the end of the race. The two athletes battled each other to the end with Swanepoel eventually finishing 5th in heat 2.

“ I was really happy with my results today, and I look forward to making further improvements on the bike this week ahead of my next international race in France next weekend,” commented Swanepoel.

Race results:
MX1 Race 1
1 PHILIPPAERTS ITA
2 CAIROLI ITA
3 LEOK EST
4 SWANEPOEL RSA
5 PRIEM BEL
6 KRESTINOV EST
7 THAIN FRA
8 BILL SUI
9 MARTIN FRA
10 COMPAGNONE ITA

MX1 Race 2
1 COPPINS NZL
2 LEOK EST
3 PHILIPPAERTS ITA
4 CAIROLI ITA
5 SWANEPOEL RSA
6 BILL SUI
7 VANNI FRA
8 LEONCE FRA
9 DE BORTOLI ITA
10 THAIN FRA