Mud, Rain, and Triumph
Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing at the Nationals
The morning of 18 November 2025 greeted riders with wet grass and dust roads transformed into muddy, treacherous tracks after weeks of rain. Despite rumours of more drops falling from the sky, the daredevils of Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing, supported by Tork Craft and Dunlop, lifted their heads to the rising sun, donned in outfits that, to laypersons, might have looked like something out of another galaxy.
It was the finals of the National Cross Country Motorcycle Championship at Carousel Resort near Hammanskraal in the Northwest, and the tension in the air was intense.
Maddy Malan of the Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing team looked up at the sky, senses on full alert. From behind his helmet, he studied the slick mud, hidden rocks beneath puddles, and slippery grass, knowing that
the track and nature’s wrath would demand every ounce of focus from the riders.
Engines roared through the mist, their tires spraying mud in every direction, while the sharp scent of wet earth mixed with gasoline overwhelmed the senses and set the stage for a contest similar to a Hunger Games-style battle. Merciless and intense.
Malan tightened his gloves, feeling the cold bite through the leather, and tried to calm the surge of adrenaline. “I knew it was going to be a long day,” he later reflected. “One mistake, and it could cost everything. But honestly… I was ready.”
The Track That Fought Back
Malan shot off the line aboard his Yamaha YZ450FX, taking the lead in the Open class. The track was unforgiving—steep climbs, sudden drops, and mud-filled corners demanded razor-sharp focus.
The rain turned familiar lines into traps. It wasn’t his first time on the track, yet what looked safe could still send a rider sliding into a hidden rut or skidding across a puddle.
Disaster struck at a fast right-hander when Malan’s handlebars snapped, sending him tumbling into the mud. In an instant, he went from leading the race to battling just to stay upright. “It all happened so fast,” he said. “I honestly thought my race was over.”
Pit Lane Precision
Back at the pits, the Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing crew sprang into action. Mud splattered across boots and gloves as the team swapped handlebars, checked chains, and adjusted the suspension with precision.
Every second counted, and Malan could only watch as the pack disappeared down the track. “There was a moment of panic,” he admitted. “Do I keep going or give up? But giving up isn’t in me. There was no way.”
Remounting his mud-slicked bike, he plunged back into the race, refusing to let the setback define the day.
Climbing Through the Chaos
For hours, Malan battled mud, puddles, and exhaustion. Every jump flung mud into his goggles, every turn demanded absolute focus, and each climb tested the limits of his stamina. Inch by inch, he clawed his way back through the field.
By the finish line, he had fought his way to third place, a heroic comeback that left the crowd and his teammates in awe. “It’s not just about speed,” he said. “It’s about consistency, perseverance, and sacrifice. Days like this, in spring rain and mud, are won before you even get on the bike.”
Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing: More Than a Team
Victory was never going to be a solo effort. Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing operates like a finely tuned machine, with every member—from mechanics to manager—playing a critical role.
Team manager Harry Grobler keeps bikes, tires, accommodations, schedules, and pit crews in perfect sync. “Without Everest Wealth, it wouldn’t be possible,” he said. “Their support lets the riders focus on what matters: the race.”
For the juniors, the team feels like family. Kassie van Zyl described it as having siblings. “We push each other, laugh, get frustrated—but we’re always there for each other. Everest Wealth allows us to focus on riding, not worrying about costs or logistics.”
Triumphs Across the Classes
The weekend produced remarkable victories across multiple classes. Murray Smith dominated the High School championship aboard his Yamaha YZ125X, winning four of five races. He credited his dedication and the team’s support for his success. Ruald Potgieter, riding his Yamaha YZ85, claimed the 85cc Seniors crown, showing exceptional skill in wet, treacherous conditions.
Ryan Wichman, aboard the Yamaha YZ65, remained unbeaten in the 65cc Junior category, demonstrating remarkable consistency and focus throughout the season. Warrick van Schalkwyk returned to his best in the Masters class, pushing his Yamaha YZ450FX through mud and rain to claim second place.
Yet it was Malan’s battle back from broken handlebars that became the defining story of the day. Despite the setback and the gruelling conditions, he clawed through the chasing pack, refusing to let the crash and lost time dictate the outcome. “Excited, ready, willing to take chances,” he said. “Sometimes luck favours the brave. Today, it favoured us.”
Every rider, every bike, and every member of Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing contributed to these remarkable outcomes.
Grobler reflected on what made the team so successful, noting that talent alone was never enough. “Effort, consistency, and fitness turn good riders into champions,” he said. “That’s what Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing focuses on.”
Racing Through History
South Africa has a proud tradition of off-road racing. From the first dirt bikes tearing across rugged landscapes to today’s high-performance machines, riders have always faced unpredictable terrain.
The spring rain on that day harkened back to that legacy, reminding riders of the unpredictability and raw challenge that defines the sport. Every puddle, rut, and muddy corner demanded courage and skill, and every rider needed to balance risk with control.
Sacrifice and Dedication
Motocross is brutally honest. Success demands early mornings, endless training, sore muscles, and often sacrifices their social life. “Every ride, every decision, every training session is about winning,” Malan admitted. “Comfort comes second.”
The team’s regimen, which includes daily rides, strength training, and endurance exercises, prepares them for unpredictable conditions like the rain-slicked track in Hammanskraal. Only through such preparation can a rider adapt and persevere when the course seems determined to fight back at every turn.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season may have ended, but Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing is already looking ahead to 2026, stronger and hungrier than ever. With national champions, rising stars, and a team built on family, faith, and grit, they are ready to face whatever challenges the next season brings. “We came, we saw, we conquered,” Grobler said. “The boys know we’re coming back stronger.”
For Malan and his teammates, motocross is more than speed—it’s about courage, endurance, and heart. Van Zyl put it simply: “It’s nothing—it’s just like family.”
The spring rain, the mud, the adrenaline, and the teamwork all combined to make the weekend unforgettable.
From Smith’s dominant High School championship to Potgieter and Wichman’s unbeaten runs, van Schalkwyk’s Masters second place, and
Malan’s remarkable third-place comeback in the Open class, the Nationals at Carousel Resort showcased not only the riders’ skill but also the perseverance, dedication, and unity that define Everest Wealth Ridgeway Yamaha Racing.
As the sun broke through the clouds, it was clear that every drop of mud, every early morning, and every gruelling lap had been worth it.
Important Notice and Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice as defined by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (FAIS Act). The content should not be relied upon as a basis for making any investment decisions.
Please consult with a licensed financial advisor to determine if such investments are appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Everest Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 795) and a registered credit provider NCRCP 21504.