A Total of 45 riders competed in the first leg of the 2026 Motocross (MX) national championships this past weekend, hinting at strong participation for the Motocross of African Nations (MXoAN) scheduled for later this year.
Riders competed across nine classes, ranging from the junior 50cc category to the veterans and open classes.
The King of the Dirt remains the premier attraction, pitting riders from various classes (excluding juniors) against one another.
While the action was high-octane, race medics were called to the track to treat a few junior riders following minor clashes.
MX veteran Ingo Waldschmidt has expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and the overall standard of the event.
“I am happy with the general behaviour of everyone both on and off the tracks,” he says.
The event marked a significant comeback for some.
Stefan Mans, father of 65cc runner-up Paul Mans, after the event said his son is overcoming a major injury from the 2025 season.
“You can see from his mental block, but he is starting to get better now. He did really well today. The competition is extremely good in this class,” Mans said.
Despite a previous dislocated elbow that sidelined him last year, the younger Mans secured third place in a competitive field of 10 entries.
In the MX1 class, Tommy Gous is already looking toward international competition.
Although he finished outside the top three, he remains a top contender.
“To be honest, I am training very hard on my fitness level to represent Namibia at that [international] level,” Gous says.
To comply with International Motorsport Federation safety standards for the upcoming MXoAN, significant upgrades are underway.
Requirements include a fully equipped field hospital with advanced life support medics and an ambulance.
Talks are at an advanced stage between the MX organisers and OSH-Med to provide these services.
Waldschmidt says a site for the field hospital has already been identified, while structural changes to the pit areas are being implemented to meet international specifications.
RESULTS
50cc: 1) Louw Schoeman.
65cc: 1) Oliver Mathews, 2) Markus Pack, 3) Paul Mans.
85cc: 1) Leander Metzger, 2) Connor Bouwer, 3) Riaan van der Hoven.
125cc Juniors: 1) Leander Metzger, 2) Marco Lindemeier, 3) Kilian Hamm.
WMX: 1) Zoe Waldschmidt, 2) Melanize Oberholster, 3) Maike Bochert.
MX2: 1) Gero Friederich, 2) Nils Elmering, 3) Jens Rubow.
MX1: 1) Mark Sternagel, 2) Bjorn Bierbrauer, 3) Juan de Vos.
Veterans: 1) Heiko Stranghöner, 2) Sigi Pack, 3) Olaf Pack.
King of the Dirt: 1) Mark Sternagel, 2) Juan de Vos, 3) Bjorn Bierbrauer.
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