He’s a star on the motocross track

By Frankline Okutoyi

A crowd of excited motor sports fans is gathered at the Ngong racecourse. Suddenly, they hear the roar of an engine approaching. Seconds later a motorcyclist going at top speed whizzes past them, his bike leaping into the air as he clears a small hill. He zooms off into the distance, determined to beat other riders.

Meet Cruze Muigai, the motocross champion who has hardly ever been beaten in championships in East and Central Africa.

The soft-spoken 16-year-old sportsman has won hundreds of trophies and certificates since he began competing five years ago.

"Winning all categories in the five years consecutively was not easy. It took dedication, determination and support. I thank God for the support of my father, Jimmy Muigai, who has been my mentor," says Cruze.

The Year Eleven student at Hillcrest school cites his cousin, Tutu Maina, who also competes in motocross, as his role model.

"Tutu gave me my first motorbike and ensures I have a new one whenever I graduate to the next level. He is the force behind my success and I have vowed never to let him down," Cruze told Teen Stars.

Interestingly, Tutu has never beaten him.

Cruze says the only time he was defeated was during his first African motor sports championships held in Uganda in 2007 when he finished second to a South African rider.

He graduated last year to a 125 cc bike and vows to continue riding for as long as he can.

"If I didn’t quit riding when I got my first serious injury in 2007 that kept me away from motocross for three months, I will never quit," he says.