South African Young Riders Fly the Flag in China

Three young South African riders made their mark on the international stage this past weekend as they competed in the Ohvale Guangzhou Supercup 2026 in China.

Seven-year-old Tsebo Mafokate, nine-year-old Tyler Purificati and 11-year-old Bohlale Mafokate took on a strong international field, gaining valuable experience while showcasing the determination and fighting spirit of South Africa’s next generation of motorcycle racing talent.

Tyler(#17) qualified 13th and endured a challenging weekend that included three crashes. Despite the setbacks, she continued to fight and produced a strong performance in the wet Race 1, recovering from a crash to finish ninth. Race 2 saw her taken out by another rider, but she climbed back on to finish 13th before securing 12th in the Super Final.

Tsebo (#16) qualified 12th and enjoyed a consistent weekend of racing. He finished 14th in the wet opening race before making significant progress in Race 2 with a 10th-place finish. He then saved his best result for the Super Final, crossing the line in an impressive ninth position.

Competing in the Ohvale 160 class, older brother Bohlale (#31) qualified 24th and continued to battle throughout the weekend. He finished 12th in Race 1, placed 24th in Race 2 and ended the event with 19th in the Super Final.

While the results tell only part of the story, the real value of the weekend was the experience gained by all three riders. Racing in a different country, competing against new opposition and adapting to unfamiliar conditions provides invaluable experience at such an early stage of their careers.

For Tsebo, Tyler and Bohlale, the Ohvale Guangzhou Supercup was another important step in their development as young racers.

Congratulations to all three riders on proudly representing South Africa on the international stage. Their journeys are only just beginning, and there will undoubtedly be plenty more chapters to come.