Ruche Moodley Makes History as First South African Rider of Colour in Moto3

South African motorcycle racer Ruche Moodley is set to take a major leap in his career as he prepares to compete in the 2025 Moto3 World Championship. The Gqeberha-born teenager will make history as the first South African rider of colour to participate in the championship, marking a significant milestone for the country’s motorsport scene.

Moodley, the son of former SA superbike champion Arushen Moodley, has been working towards this opportunity for years. His talent was evident in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, a competitive platform that has produced multiple world champions. During his time in the series, he consistently fought for top positions, securing a maiden podium finish at Le Mans, France.

Now, Moodley is set to take on a bigger challenge, racing for the BOE Motorsports team alongside New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan. Competing on KTM machinery, the South African will be up against some of the most talented young riders in the world. BOE Motorsports has a track record of nurturing future champions, having worked with riders like Joel Kelso, David Muñoz, and Ana Carrasco—the first female competitor in the Moto3 World Championship.

Picture: BOE Motorsport

Team owner Jose Angel Gutierrez Boe is confident in Moodley’s potential. “In the team, we have worked with young riders before, and Ruche is our new project for 2025. It’s going to be a year of hard work, but we believe in his talent. After the first test in Portimao, I am optimistic that we can achieve strong results this season,” he said.

Moodley is determined to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Brad Binder, who won the Moto3 world title in 2016. Binder remains the only South African to have claimed the championship, and Moodley hopes to add his name to the list of winners.

“My ambition is to learn as quickly as possible and fight at the front to show what I’m capable of,” said Moodley. “South African fans will have a lot to look forward to this season, with Brad in MotoGP, his brother Darryn in Moto2, and me in Moto3. I’m proud to represent my country in one of the most competitive racing categories in the world.”

The 2025 Moto3 season will feature 22 grand prix races across 18 countries and five continents. The championship kicks off in Thailand on 2 March and concludes in Valencia, Spain, on 16 November.

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