Collin Matiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ONE of Zimbabwe’s top junior motocross riders Riley Rocher met with some mixed fortunes during the seventh and last round of the 2026 South African National Championship series last weekend.
Coming up against top South African riders at Wetherd Motocross Park in KuGompo City, East London, on Saturday, Rocher competed in the MX2 and High School classes.
According to reports from South Africa, the 16-year-old Zimbabwean rider firs t found himself in the thick of things in the MX2 Class where he performed incredibly well to finish third overall.
Riding a Gas Gas bike, Rocher wagged his tail vigorously to claim the third step on the podium behind top South African senior riders Jordan van Vyk and Jayden Proctor who came first and second respectively.
The MX2 Class had a good field of 12 riders.
Rocher also took part in the 11-man High School Class in which he found the going tough, finishing in 10th place.
But the young Zimbabwean rider had already won the hearts of a number of South African motocross fans with the way he had handled his machine in the MX2 Class.
In this class, Rocher produced a solid, gritty racing to close out in a credible third place.
Rocher was competing in the last round of this year’s South African Nationals after having helped Team Zimbabwe to finish fourth overall in the 2026 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championship in Windhoek, Namibia, towards the end of August.
Team Zimbabwe delivered a powerful performance on the continental stage, securing a commendable fourth place overall at the 2026 FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations which was held at the Gallina Motocross Park in Windhoek.
A total of 24 Zimbabwean riders lined up on the gates, competing across eight different classes against 11 participating African nations.
The highlight of that event came in the form of two individual continental gold medals, with Rocher and Doug Mellor crowning themselves African Champions in their respective divisions.
In the flagship MX2 Class, Rocher put on a masterclass over the two days of competition.
Dominating his heats with precision and blistering speed, Rocher clinched 1st overall to take the MX2 crown.
That victory marked back-to-back continental titles for Rocher, who won the 125cc African Championship in 2025.
In the Masters Class, seasoned racer Mellor produced a faultless display of stamina and tactical riding.
Mellor fended off tough competition from host nation Namibia and South Africa to cross the line first overall, bringing home Zimbabwe’s second gold medal of the event.
Last weekend, Rocher was not the only Zimbabwean rider who took part in the final round of the 2026 South African Nationals.
He was joined on the track by promising fellow young Zimbabwean biker Elroy Shamuyarira who raced in the juniors 85cc Class.
Shamuyarira (11) failed to get a place on the podium as he finished in seventh place.
The first three places went to South African riders Brody Bircher, Ross Mackenzie and Seth van der Walt.
The 85cc Class attracted a strong field of 12 riders.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday, Shamuyarira’s father and manager, Kudakwashe Shamuyarira, said they were now preparing for next year.
“He (Elroy) is still very young so next year he will make an impact in that same class. “Some top guys in that Class are 14-year- olds yet Elroy will be turning 12 this end of October.
“He has two more years in that same class if his height and weight allows him.”
