Date: 14 September 2008

The final and deciding round of the FIM Motocross World championship has taken place on Italian soil at the Faenza GP circuit. The event marked Gareth Swanepoel’s last MX2 GP appearance for the Molson Kawasaki team as the South African makes the move to the premier MX1 class under the Factory Kawasaki awning for 2009.

With the hard-pack and hilly circuit made more technical after overnight rain, ‘Swanie’ was set for his first moto after securing 8th in his Saturday qualification race. He grabbed a reasonable start and was placed mid pack through the first turn chicane however he emerged even further down the field on the completion of lap 1. He quickly re-grouped and fought hard to push his way up the standings. With consistent lap-times and good speed he recovered to 13th spot by the checkered flag.

Swanie was placed in a similar situation in moto 2 although he moved even faster through the field this time and looked set on breaking into the top ten around the halfway mark. He came together with Frenchman Jeremy Tarroux with the collision snapping Swanepoel’s rear brake pedal. Unable to use his rear brake on the steep and slippery slopes Swanepoel opted to retire rather than risk an accident.

‘“I really wanted to be fighting for a title this year but my wrist injury put a halt on those plans. After missing most of the season due to rehab, I’m happy with my speed, fitness and strength and look forward to going into 2009 injury free. I have taken a decision to move to MX1 for next year with Factory Kawasaki. The KX450F suits my smooth riding style and I really enjoy riding the bigger capacity bike so I look forward to a new challenge in the MX1 class for 2009.” said Swanepoel.

“It’s also been quite an emotional weekend” admitted the 23-year-old. “This is my last MX2 GP ride for Molson Kawasaki and I have really enjoyed my time with them over the last 4 years. They have treated me like family and have given me every opportunity needed to get the best results possible. We came so close to winning a GP last year in Lierop and I was hoping to be challenging for the title this year but that unfortunately never happened. I want to thank, Lisa, Mike and Paula Church for 4 great years and wish them all the best for the future. I also want to give it up to a super team of mechanics and staff, Mike, Jeremy, Fred, Willy, Wayne, Ryan, Adam and of course Hot-tub – thanks guys!”

Swanepoel will race the final round of the British MX champs in Hawkstone Park this weekend which will mark his last ride in the MX2 class.

I Race results:

MX2 Race 1
1 Searle, Tommy GBR KTM
2 Rattray, Tyla RSA KTM
3 Boissiere, Anthony FRA KTM
4 Sword, Stephen GBR Kawasaki
5 van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL KTM
6 Simpson, Shaun GBR KTM
7 Osborne, Zach USA Yamaha
8 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM
9 Aubin, Nicolas FRA Yamaha
10 Lupino, Alessandro ITA Yamaha
11 Boog, Xavier FRA Suzuki
12 Nunn, Carl GBR Suzuki
13 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki MOLSON
14 Monni, Manuel ITA Yamaha
15 Gercar, Klemen SLO Yamaha

MX2 Race 2
1 Searle, Tommy GBR KTM
2 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM
3 Osborne, Zach USA Yamaha
4 Rattray, Tyla RSA KTM
5 Sword, Stephen GBR Kawasaki
6 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM
7 Boog, Xavier FRA Suzuki
8 Aubin, Nicolas FRA Yamaha
9 Simpson, Shaun GBR KTM
10 Monni, Manuel ITA Yamaha
11 Seistola, Matti FIN Honda
12 Lupino, Alessandro ITA Yamaha
13 Tarroux, Jeremy FRA KTM
14 Nunn, Carl GBR Suzuki
15 van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL KTM
16 Bobryshev, Evgeniy RUS Yamaha
26 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki MOLSON

MX2 World championship standings:
1 Rattray, Tyla RSA 636
2 Searle, Tommy GBR 613
3 Aubin, Nicolas FRA 406
4 Simpson, Shaun GBR 394
5 Goncalves, Rui POR 380
6 Cairoli, A. ITA 357
7 Boog, Xavier FRA 307
8 van Horebeek, J. BEL 299
9 Sword, Stephen GBR 291
10 Frossard, S. FRA 289
11 Monni, Manuel ITA 277
12 Boissiere, A. FRA 263
13 Roelants, Joel BEL 216
14 Musquin, M. FRA 189
15 Guarneri, D. ITA 181
32 Swanepoel, G. RSA 31 (MOLSON KAWASAKI)