Kgopotso “KJ” Mononyane (bike No.45) kicked off his 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup campaign with two points-scoring rides at the season-opening round at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, underlining his growth in this fiercely competitive series.
Image: Supplied, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
Kgopotso “KJ” Mononyane kicked off his 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup campaign with two points-scoring rides at the season-opening round at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, underlining his growth in this fiercely competitive series.
The 17-year-old from Pretoria fought hard across both races, earning a 14th-place finish in Race 1 and improving to 12th in Race 2 — netting six points in total. Competing in the thick of the midfield, Mononyane showed clear progress in just his second full season on the world stage.
“I’m happy with how this weekend turned out,” said Mononyane. “Finishing both races in the points and only nine seconds behind the race winner is a big improvement from last year. I know I’m going in the right direction, and I know what I need to do to arrive at the front of the field.”
As the lone South African in the 2025 Rookies Cup field, Mononyane carries the national flag with pride and intent.
“Representing my country on the world stage has been both an honour and a profound responsibility,” he said. “Competing internationally allows me to showcase the talent and determination that South African riders bring to the sport, and I am deeply proud to carry our flag in these prestigious arenas.”
Mononyane’s steady rise mirrors a broader trend: South Africa is becoming an increasingly fertile ground for motorcycle racing talent. The country has already produced globally recognised names such as Brad and Darryn Binder — both of whom came through the Rookies Cup system — and now Ruche Moodley, who recently broke into the Moto3 World Championship.
Now in his second year in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup — a one-make feeder series that shares race weekends with MotoGP — Mononyane is building on the lessons of a challenging rookie campaign in 2024, where he managed a top-six finish as a standout result. This year, the goal is clear: consistency, improvement, and ultimately, a place among the front-runners.
With seven rounds ahead on some of Europe’s most iconic tracks, Mononyane has a platform to both sharpen his skills and strengthen South Africa’s presence on the international racing map.
Kgopotso “KJ” Mononyane, the 17-year-old from Pretoria fought hard across both races, earning a 14th-place finish in Race 1 and improving to 12th in Race 2 — netting six points in total.
Image: Supplied, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup