Preview - Grand Prix of South Africa.

Following the trip to Japan two months ago, this weekend's Grand Prix of South Africa will mark the second 'flyway' event for the 2005 FIM Motocross World Championship.

Home of the final round of the 2004 season, and elected 'Best Organiser of the Year' during last season's prize giving ceremony, the Sun City circuit has again put a lot of effort into ensure the best conditions possible for this weekend's race.

Held earlier this season - July instead of September - the Grand Prix of South Africa will have more interest than last year, since then Ben Townley and Stefan Everts arrived in Sun City with the world titles (in the MX2 and MX1 classes respectively) already in their pockets.

But the 2005 situation is very different, as there are still seven rounds to go (and 350 points) until the Grand Prix of Ireland marks the seventeenth and final round of the longest MX season in the history of the sport.

Factory Yamaha star Everts arrives at Sun City having led the 2005 championship for all but round three, the Grand Prix of Portugal, and is now 45-points ahead of Josh Coppins.

However, the Belgian legend hasn't won a moto during the last three events - in Italy, France and Sweden - and saw his points advantage decrease by 18-points in that time as a result.

With so many rounds remaining, the eight-times world champion cannot afford to keep losing points at that rate and needs to react soon if he is to halt the double pronged Kiwi attack currently being launch by Coppins and Townley - who have won the last three GPs.

"It's always a great feeling to be with Josh on the podium," said Townley. "We're from a small country on the other side of the world and to be together among the best riders is amazing. Josh helped me a lot when I arrived in Europe to race GPs, and we've been good friends for a while. I was happy to see him winning in Sweden, but my goal is to win heats every weekend and to challenge Stefan for the title."

Suzuki's Joel Smets also looked likely to emerge as a title contender once again, but has lost large amounts of points due to crashes in recent races. Nevertheless, the 'Flemish Lion' is famed for his never-say-die attitude and is always a threat.

In total, eighteen GP regulars are travelling to Sun City, where they will be joined by a further ten national riders.

Yamaha, currently leading the MX1 and MX2 Manufacturers' World Championship, might be under pressure for the premier-class riders' crown, but will surely claim individual MX2 honours with no less than the top four riders all on blue YZ machines.

Eight years after the last Yamaha individual title, won by Alessio Chiodi in 1997, Andrew McFarlane (Team Ricci Racing), Antonio Cairoli (Team De Carli), Chiodi (Team Ricci Racing) and Cedric Melotte (Team Yamaha Rinaldi) are battling for the 2005 crown title - and have already won seven of the first ten rounds.

McFarlane and Cairoli have both won three GPs and are currently the main title contenders, Chiodi having lost ground two-weeks ago in Sweden while Melotte has been inconsistent.

The title top two head to Sun City with Cairoli looking to build on his 2004 podium, while McFarlane will be making his SA debut after sitting out the previous year's event due to a broken collarbone.

"I think it's going to be fun. I was bummed to miss it last year, and the layout of the circuit should suit me," said the Australian. "It has some nice jumps, and also tricky corners. I can't wait to see it. I really want to push hard, and break further away from the other riders in the points race,"

Twenty regular MX2 contenders class are traveling to Sun City, and will be joined there by home hero Tyla Rattray. Injured during the Portuguese round, the South African star will support sixteen of his fellow countrymen while catching up with hs GP friends.

Tyla, who dominated the first GP of the season at Zolder, is expected to be back racing his factory KTM at the end of August.

The weather forecast for the weekend is perfect (sunny, with a temperature of 20?C).