Bouverie claims inaugural win at invitational

THE country’s best enduro riders were invited to step into the unknown at the first ever Alfie Cox Invitational recently. A crowd of around 400 locals and hard enduro enthusiasts lined the course to watch the showdown as Scott Bouverie took the win ahead of Dwayne Kleynhans in second and James Hodson in third place.

The selection of hand-picked riders started the first heat with the course proving to be a hit with the spectators and the riders themselves, with only 20 riders making the cut for the semi-final. The competition started to take shape as initial favourite, Wade Young’s chances of winning the inaugural event faded with a seized engine.

Even in the absence of Young, the challenge was always going to be intense for Bouverie with many quality riders competing. The gruelling 11-kilometre course and the sprint enduro format tested the participants’ technical ability and overall fitness.

As the field continued to whittle down, the riders became more accustomed to the course and with less of a charge needed to get in front, the tactical prowess of the riders started to take over as they headed into the final round, which consisted of the top 10 riders.

Heading into the final it was evident that the course played to Bouverie’s strengths and despite an early fall in the final, he went on to prove that he was the strongest rider of the day over the elimination format.

“I really loved the format that we raced today – the best I’ve raced. It was so much fun,” Bouverie said after his win.

“It’s really intense, with the competition and the format it really takes it out of you from the start to the finish. Winning the first Alfie Cox Invitational is a real honour and I hope that there will be many more in the future.”

The event was the brainchild of motorsports legend. Alfie Cox. and he was sincerely thrilled with the results of the first event.