DREAMING BIG

Ruché Moodley is a speedy South African youngster with a big mission on two wheels

- Juan Miguel Luis Beco

In times gone by, South Africa used to churn out motorcycle champions with regularity. Names like Paddy Driver, Jon Ekerold and Kork Ballington were well known for their daring exploits on two wheels. However, there was a lull on the world stage until Brad Binder announced himself by taking the 2016 Moto3 world championship.

Brad was quickly followed by his brother Darryn. These Gauteng siblings competed in the top-flight MotoGP championship in 2022. The older Binder already has two victories to his name. Part of their rise through the ranks was thanks to exceptional performances in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and, in 2022, there was yet another South African rider competing in this hard-fought series: Ruché Moodley.

Ruché (roo-SHAY) is the son of Arushen Moodley, a Gqeberha native who is himself no slouch on two wheels. In 2007, the senior Moodley became the first rider of colour to win a national superbike championship anywhere in the world. He followed up the South African title with two abroad when he claimed back-to-back UAE Superbike titles in 2009 and 2010.

The apple didn't fall far from the pit lane, as Arushen's older child took to bike racing as well. But this was not how Moodley Senior planned things. Explains Arushen: "I didn't expect Ruché to follow in my footsteps. I bought him a PW50 when he was five years old, just for him to ride at home and learn a new skill. From there, he progressed to racing Moto X for several years." After a few years of "playing in the mud", Ruché progressed to circuit racing.

"My parents have supported me since I started racing. My dad has a good racing background, so I learnt a lot from him. He plays a very big part in my career and funds my racing, for which I am grateful," says Ruché.