Vinayak wins to consolidate Enduro lead in Soysambu

By Feverpitch Reporter

Having taken an impressive scalp during the Selenkay Cross-Country, Shivam Vinayak took his off-road riding a notch higher amidst victory in the second round of the National Enduro Championship in Soysambu.

Vinayak cleared his six-lap run in 1hour 49.14 minutes elated that his Enduro Championship campaign was well on course.

An incredible seven minutes gap ahead of second placed Andrew Pleasance in the wake of 90km of racing at the expansive Delemare Farm at the weekend was such a great fun to Vinayak.

Vinayak is using off-road racing to prepare for the FIM Africa Continental Enduro Championship which Kenya will host in October.

"What a day in the Great Rift Valley riding with wildlife sleeping under the stars," said Vinayak.

Prior to the race, he took the big risk of ditching his powerful Yamaha 450 four-stoke contraption for his old 250cc Yamaha but still called the shots.

"I realised I was way ahead of everyone during the cross-country, so I felt the need to gauge my ride with an inferior bike. It’s hard to believe that I won with a huge seven minutes margin as I had to avoid animals," said Vinayak.

Pleasance had to contend with playing second fiddle to Vinayak when he rode his machine six times around the circuit and 1:56.06hours to boot. Third overall was Shaun Miller in 1:56.01 also managing six laps before the cutoff time.

Ian Duncan — who has recently wiped the ground with all his opponents on four wheels- — finished fourth after managing six laps in 1:59.24hours.

The rising fervor of motocross riders in enduro was evident in Soysambu with young MX85 rider Apollo Mbuki also taking part in the event but retiring on his opening lap.

Masalule Kituyi, who also rides in MX85 in motocross, tried his hand in endure racing and won accolades for finishing three laps in a time of 1:45.42 hours.

The quads class was won by Mike Rose who stunned defending cross-country champion Shazar Anwar to second place.