Date: 14 September 2009

Gareth Swanepoel journeyed to Brazil this past weekend for the final round of the 2009 MX1 Motocross World Championship. Arriving in Brazil last week the GP riders where greeted by rain that continued to fall and eventually caused the organizers to abort the Saturday practice and qualifying sessions. Luckily Sunday morning dawned with sunshine and the track was in great condition for racing to commence.

In the opening race ‘Swanie’ powered down towards the first turn, however getting caught up the in traffic Swanepoel emerged only just inside the top 20. Getting his head down and racing as hard as possible the South African immediately started working his way through the pack. Racing at a fast pace ‘Swanie’ was tearing his way through, and by the final lap had managed to pull his way into the top 10, crossing the finish line in 9th position.

Race 2 was a more promising start as the Kawasaki rider railed through turn one in 10th position. Banging out consistent lap times ‘Swanie’ pushed hard throughout the entire race. Making a pass on Bill on the final lap, Swanepoel crossed the line in another 9th position, awarding him 8th overall for the day.

Swanepoel began his 2009 Grand Prix campaign with the goal of achieving a top 10 overall result. Through consistent and hard racing at every round, ‘Swanie’ has overcome the steep MX1 learning curve to achieve a well deserved 8th overall.

Swanepoel gave his thoughts after the final GP: “Well that is my maiden MX1 GP season done! I set myself the goal of a TOP 10 this year and I exceeded that by getting an 8th. I am really pumped with that. The transition is harder than what it looked before I started, the MX1 guys are obviously all fast, but what I was surprised about is that they are all just as good in any conditions. It doesn’t make any difference if we race in mud, sand or hard pack, it is like they are experts in everything, but I guess that is why they are the world best motocross racers!! Every race has got easier and easier for me and in the last few races I have shown some good promise. I now know what I need to work on now and can’t wait for next season.”

Results
MX1 Race 1
1 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
2 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
3 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
4 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
5 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
6 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
7 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
8 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha
9 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
10 Balbi Jr., Antonio Jorge BRA Honda
11 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
12 Church, Tom GBR CCM
13 Dougan, Jason GBR CCM
14 de Reuver, Marc NED Honda
15 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia

MX1 Race 2
1 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki
2 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda
3 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha
4 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki
5 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
6 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha
7 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha
8 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki
9 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
10 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia
11 Balbi Jr., Antonio Jorge BRA Honda
12 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
13 Church, Tom GBR CCM
14 Garcia, Wellington BRA Honda
15 Da Silva Faria, Rafael BRA KTM

MX1 GP Overall:
1 Desalle, Clement BEL Honda 47
2 Ramon, Steve BEL Suzuki 39
3 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM 38
4 Coppins, Joshua NZL Yamaha 36
5 de Dycker, Ken BEL Suzuki 36
6 Philippaerts, David ITA Yamaha 34
7 Campano, Carlos ESP Yamaha 25
8 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki 24
9 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha 24
10 Balbi Jr., Antonio Jorge BRA Honda 21
11 Bill, Julien SUI Aprilia 17
12 Church, Tom GBR CCM 17
13 Vuillemin, David FRA Kawasaki 13
14 Leok, Tanel EST Yamaha 13
15 Garcia, Wellington BRA Honda 11

MX1 Final world championship standings:
1 Cairoli, A. ITA 561
2 Nagl, M. GER 525
3 Desalle, C. BEL 508
4 Philippaerts, D. ITA 497
5 de Dycker, Ken BEL 495
6 Coppins, J. NZL 485
7 Leok, Tanel EST 395
8 Swanepoel, G. RSA 262
9 Barragan, J. ESP 229
10 Ramon, Steve BEL 217
11 Priem, Manuel BEL 195
12 Leok, Aigar EST 188
13 Vuillemin, D. FRA 163
14 Aranda, G. FRA 143
15 Church, Tom GBR 134