By Feverpitch Reporter
Kenyan riders showed a sterling performance as the first round of the FIM Central Africa Motocross Challenge came to a dramatic end at Jamhuri Park racetrack on Sunday.
Captain Shivam Vinayak beat Ugandan counterparts as the hosts rode their contraptions in style, winning in all the six categories at stake.
But the inspiring performance of Ugandans in the junior MX50 class was a clear indication that the neighbours were out for better performances in future.
Cruze Muigai in action in the MX2 class during the FIM Central Africa Motocross Challenge at Jamhuri Park on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Nyakondo/Standard |
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Maina Wanjigi won the MX50 class with three Ugandan riders – Sentamu Fortune, Wazir Omar, Paddy Blick in hot pursuit.
Another podium position for Ugandans was delivered at MX1 by Israel-born Asaf Natan, who fought tirelessly on his 2010 Honda 450cc model to finish second overall behind Vinayak.
Vinayak, who is smarting from victory in the premiere round of the previous weekend’s Cross Country Challenge in Selenkay, says he will not relent on his aggressive ride this season.
Entered many events
"It feels good to win gain. This year, I have entered many events and set a benchmark to excel in all of them. Having not practiced, I was struggling to come to grips with the bike in the first two heats," said Vinayak.
Ugandans may have struggled in the senior races, but their captain Arthur Blick admitted the sport is improving due to the good-humoured rivalry with Kenyan riders.
Cruze Muigai won in the MX2 class, as his cousin Tutu Maina finished third.
Uganda’s Maxime Van Pee’s podium hunt was dealt a major blow with a puncture that relegated him to sixth place in the MX2 tussle as he was left to mull over Maina and Muigai’s hard charging antics.
"It was something akin to chasing flying bullets. These Kenyan boys are just too fast. I didn’t expect this kind of pace, but it was also unfortunate not to finish the second heat with a flat tyre," said Van Pee.
The MX65 supremacy pitting Kenyans Rolf Kihara and Murigu Njiiri was exciting.
Kihara, who graduated from MX50 to MX65 this year, was back in the grove and was compelled to fight every inch of the way, prior to pulling through.
Level terms
Murigi, who has also moved-up to the MX65 category, won the first heat before Kihara got the situation back to level terms. Both riders went into the third heat tying on 37 points, but Kihara pulled through after winning the third heat.
Allestair Blick, son of Arthur Blick Jrn and Ali Omar, were the highest placed Ugandans at MX65, cruising home fourth and fifth respectively.
Apollo Mbuki’s fearless efforts were not in vain when he returned to the MX85 competition victorious.
Mbuki graduated to MX85 last season and had to contend with playing second fiddle to Ivan Guya. But after Guya’s graduation to MX125, it was his time to call the shots.
"I fell ill in the first race in January and it was exciting to make a strong comeback," said Mbuki.
Mbuki led a rare clean sweep by Kenyans when he raced ahead of Samir Anwar and National series leader Masalule Kituyi.
The sole Ugandan, Fatuh Kigundu at MX85, could only watch helplessly as he finished sixth overall. Guya won the MX125cc class followed by Adil Khan and Mwai Kibaki.
