KJ Mononyane (#45) kicks off his second Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season with confidence and points on the board.
Pretoria, South Africa (30 April 2025) – South Africa is producing some serious two-wheel talent right now! One of the latest names to watch is 17-year-old Kgopotso ‘KJ’ Mononyane, a Pretoria-born racer. Now in his second full season of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, KJ is setting his sights higher and riding harder than ever.
The Rookies Cup isn’t just any racing series, it’s where the future legends of MotoGP are made. It’s the proving ground that launched big names like Brad and Darryn Binder, and more recently, Ruche Moodley. Now, Mononyane is stepping up as South Africa’s sole representative in the 2025 edition, and he’s more determined than ever to make his mark.
“Representing my country on the world stage has been both an honour and a profound responsibility,” he says. “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.”
This past weekend saw the opening round of the 2025 season at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, with KJ lining up once again among the best young riders from around the world. The seven-round series shadows the main MotoGP calendar, giving these rising stars a taste of top-tier race weekends and has the crowds there to cheer them on too.
“I was really excited to start this second season in Rookies Cup. 2024 was a learning year, and I managed to achieve a top six finish. With more experience of racing and competing at this level I am keen to improve and impress,” he shared ahead of the race.
Race one was packed with intensity, as the riders fought to make an early impression. KJ battled through the chaos, holding strong in a six-way scrap to bring home 14th place and two championship points.
Race two turned up the heat again, and KJ delivered an even stronger performance. He crossed the line in 12th, collecting four more points and valuable confidence.
“I’m happy how this weekend turned out, finishing both races in the points and finishing only nine seconds behind the race winner is a big improvement from last year. I know that I’m going in the right direction and I know what I need to do to arrive at the front of the field,”
With more experience under his belt and a determination to keep climbing, Mononyane is becoming a serious contender in the MotoGP feeder series. South Africa should be watching closely because KJ’s just getting started.
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