Tristan Purdon’s move to Kawasaki after the first part of the season appears to have injected fresh momentum into his 2025 campaign. The South African looked more like his old self at Monster Mountain, showing improved speed, confidence and composure as he battled towards the front of the British Championship field. While he’s still managing the lingering effects of a leg injury, Purdon admits both the pain and his confidence are finally heading in the right direction.
We caught up with Purdon as he opens up about adapting to his new Kawasaki machinery, the physical challenges he’s continued to race through, his ambitions for the remainder of the British Championship, plans to line up at the British MXGP at Foxhill, and the possibility of representing South Africa at this year’s Motocross des Nations in Ernee.
GateDrop: Tristan, you looked really good at Monster Mountain – that was the best you’ve looked all season, I would say, do you agree and are you happy with your day?
Purdon: Yeah, I had a good feeling on the bike from the first lap and just felt comfortable all day. With a bit more time on the new bike and just all round happy with the team and that makes such a big difference.
GateDrop: I believe you’ve been riding most of this season in pain due to past injuries but this weekend you felt a lot better? What can you tell me about that?
Purdon: I’m still struggling with my knee from where they put the rod into fix my tibia, but the pain is getting better. I still try protecting my leg in turns and that but these past few weeks it’s been getting a lot better. My confidence is getting better as well but some days you just need to man up and get on with it (laughs).
GateDrop: You switched teams and are now on a Kawasaki, there’s a lot made out about the Kawasaki, but you seem to suit it and look pretty comfortable on it?
Purdon: For me a bike is a bike, and they all do the same thing at the end of the day. But I had a good feeling on the Kawasaki the first day I rode it and it is showing. I’ve not changed much on it and it is pretty stock how you can go buy it – that shows just how good it is. But maybe it suits my riding style, everyone is different.
GateDrop: What were your first thoughts when you first got on the bike and what kind of changes have you made to it since to get it more to your liking?
Purdon: I just didn’t want to tuck the front end (laughs). Only joking. No, it was a good feeling and not a lot of changes have been made.
GateDrop: What’s the goals for the rest of the British Championship?
Purdon: To be on the box again. It’s a tall order but anything is possible and my riding is coming on now. But just to be in the mix and running with the front guys and I will be happy.
GateDrop: I believe you ‘ll be racing the British MXGP at Foxhill, are you looking forward to that? Any other MXGP rounds in the pipeline?
Purdon: Yes, it is always good to do a GP and it will bring my riding on. It’s not easy but it does help. I’ve got no other plans to do any other rounds but if something comes up, I’m all for it.
GateDrop: You are a contender for the South African MXoN team – I assume you’d love to get selected to head to Ernee? South Africa might have a stronger team than usual this year too (smiles)…
Purdon: It is always a great opportunity to represent your country but the politics behind picking teams is a pain in the ass to be honest. I’m not getting my hopes up because things change. But if I’m hearing what I am hearing we could have a really good team this year. I hope the right people make the right decision so we can show what South Africa is capable of. We have a lot of young talent coming up as well so it will be nice to give them a shot. But who knows, it’s not easy to pick three riders and there is always someone not happy at the end of the day.
